Unlikely Liberators: Rediscovering the Women of Matthew’s Gospel

Can the women of the Bible truly inspire us today?

A Blessing for Study

May the God of wisdom grant you clarity,
May the Spirit of truth guide your thoughts,
May the light of Christ illuminate your understanding,
That in seeking knowledge, you may also find Him.

May your studies be an offering,
Your questions a path to wonder,
And your learning a means to love and serve.

Amen.

Dear friends, financial partners, readers and fellow scholars, welcome again to my Oxford Library, a special nook of The Beagle reserved just for you. I'm delighted you've joined me here today to share in a bit of the joy (and sometimes delightful agony) of theological study.

What follows is an essay I've written on the women in Matthew's Gospel, asking if they're liberating role models for the contemporary church. Now, I should warn you, what you're about to read is only like a stone skipping lightly across the surface of a deep, expansive lake. That's exactly the fun and frustration of study, though. It lures you in with a curious thought or two, a fresh perspective, and before you know it, you're diving headfirst, writing essays, papers, and eventually whole books (consider yourselves warned!). You may need to look up and learn some new words as I have, you may also find yourself adding to your book shopping list!

As you read, here are some prompts to keep your mind gently bubbling:

• Which woman from Matthew's Gospel do you feel most drawn to, and why?

• Do you see elements of your own story or struggles reflected in theirs?

• How do these ancient narratives challenge or inspire your view of the church today?

I'd love for this to be a starting point for further reflection and conversation, so please, grab your favourite cuppa, settle in, and let's go exploring together.

Are The Women of Matthew’s Gospel Liberating Role Models For The Contemporary Church?

Introduction

Author and poet Maya Angelou said, "Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women” (Angelou, 2007). The women of Matthew’s Gospel were not aware they were “in the Bible”; they were simply living authentically from their own faith, character, and context. I believe the women of Matthew’s gospel unintentionally provide a notable example of liberty, exemplifying traits or behaviours to aspire to, set within the context of Judaic law, gender norms, and societal constraints. Of the many women noted in Matthew’s gospel it appears the mention of a selected handful was intentional.