Reasons to question Scripture
There are grounds for re-examining the Bible's depiction of women, argues Dr Monica Melanchthon.
Hannah in 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2 is often praised for her faith and perseverance and upheld as an epitome of motherhood.
Biblical characters like her create the impression that the story belongs to them.
Second look: Women must be aware of the way some stories in the Bible perpetuate male dominant society.
But a careful reading from the perspective of women's experience shows that for the most part women characters are the product of biblical patriarchal legislation.
Hannah is subordinated to the biblical male through the emphasis placed on marriage; the situation of conflict between her and Peninah; her unmitigated desire for children; especially male children; and motherhood, all of which are interests of a male agenda. The author's point of view therefore determines the ideological framework of the story even when it seems to be absent from it.
The text poses difficulties for women who want to remain single, are unable to bear children, or just do not want to be mothers.
Reading the Bible as women The Bible has always been interpreted for women by men.
Male assumptions, prejudices, values and expectations have shaped theology and influenced traditional culture and sexual politics. Traditional biblical interpretation has promoted the idea of women's subordination to men.
The patriarchal nature of the Bible, society and the church has perpetuated female subservience. For many centuries, women's voices both within the biblical text and the community of readers and interpreters were silenced, impoverishing church life and the field of biblical interpretation.
Now the influence of the women's movement and the development of feminist theories and feminism have enabled women to acquire new eyes for reading the Bible.
Women employ a fresh approach to ancient texts and traditions of the church.
Their readings of the Bible are contextual, in that they interpret the word of God from the lived reality of their social, religious, economic and political contexts. They make no claims to objectivity or universal applicability.
They ask questions derived from their experience and sharpened consciousness, and discover new and liberating insights relevant for their lives and existence.
Feminist study and interpretation of the Bible affirms the significance of female experience. It is concerned with relating women's experience to the social, religious, economic and political structures of patriarchy.
Ask the right questions
The methods women employ to read and interpret the text vary. Insights gained from textual criticism, and the study of the historical and literary context of the Bible, and its social setting are helpful for women in myriad ways.
But women still need to question the text and the interpretations given.
Do those texts that speak of women's experiences really do justice to women, or are they biased by the dominant male perspective? Among the questions that we might ask are: Are the characters in the text male or female? How are they depicted? Do they or anything else in the text support patriarchal structures and agendas? Or undermine patriarchal structures?
For example, a traditional interpretation of the book of Ruth always emphasises her renunciation of the Moabite culture and heritage to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi.
She is extolled for the contribution she made for the continuance of the family line of her husband's family. She is praised for the sacrifice of her own freedom and identity in order to perpetuate the identity of her late husband and father-in-law.
While this is true, a close reading of the story shows that it extols her wit, initiative and independence in a man's world, virtues that are often not encouraged in women.
So too the story of Hannah needs to be seen for what it is. Within the context of the ancient Hebrew culture, a woman's status was measured by the number of children she bore. Therefore having children was the only way Hannah could experience liberation from her specific predicament. Yet her song bears witness to her concern for other groups of marginalised peoples and a hope based on her faith in a liberator God.
To arrive at insights relevant and liberating for women, it is essential that the right questions are asked; questions informed by the experiences of women's place and function in society bearing in mind the world of the characters in the text.
It is most helpful to engage in women's readings of the biblical text that are participatory, involving openness, honesty, sensitivity and resulting in a plan of action to address the issues raised.
Dr Monica Melanchthon is Professor of Old Testament studies and women's studies at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute in India.