Customer Reviews

Women in the Early Church (Message of the Fathers of the Church 13)

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Women in the Early Church by Elisabeth Clark is primarily a collection of documents written by the Church Fathers during the first through fifth centuries. Clark argues that the Church Father's had an attitude of ambivalence towards women (Clark, 15), and she examines writings that portray women both in a positive and a negative light. The texts are arranged topically and many are preceded by a short introduction describing their historical context and the theological significance written by Clark. The book looks at the negative view of women portrayed in Creation and the subsequent Fall, the role of martyrdom in the church, and the positive view of women that developed through the rise of asceticism. Clark also samples texts addressing the wider role of women in the world and women who are seen as models of pure life throughout the Early Church period.

Clark does an okay nice job setting these texts in their historical context, and gives a range of texts that show both ways that women were looked down upon during this period as well as ways that women were idealized and honored for their purity. While Clark affectively reaches the goal she set out to achieve, it would have been helpful if she had included a broad overview of the theological views of women for each of the topics that she addressed as well as included more texts showing the leadership role that so many women did participate in.

This was an okay book, but if you are looking for an overview of the views of women during the Early Church period, I would highly recommend Women In Early Christianity: Translations From Greek Textsby Patricia Cox Miller which provides a better overall description of the historical context that these texts are found, and is a good reference book.

I have purchased several books from Amazon.com and am very satisfied with the results. This book came in excellent condition. The cover and inside of the book were in great condition without markings, tears, or folds. Based on my current experience with Amazon.com as far as pricing and quality of the books, I would recommend them for future purchases.

I read this book because it was required for a seminary class on early church history. I was really looking forward to it because all the previous reading was about church fathers. It was awful. There have to be good books out there that aren't so negative. I want to know where all the women were who were making great strides for the church. They were not in this book.