But She Said: Feminist Practices of Biblical Interpretation

by Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza

One of the world's leading feminist theologians demonstrates how reading the Bible can be spiritually and politically empowering for women.

Genres: Feminism, Theology, Religion, Gender, Nonfiction, Christianity, Spirituality

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Born Elisabeth Schüssler in Tășnad, in the Transylvanian region of the Kingdom of Romania, Professor Schüssler Fiorenza is a German feminist, theologian and Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School. Schüssler Fiorenza identifies as Catholic and her work is generally in the context of Christianity, although much of her work has broader applicability.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a frustrating read, not because Schüssler Fiorenza doesn't have innovative or important contributions to theology and biblical studies, but because she cloaks those contributions in a nearly impenetrable density that requires extraordinary effort to grasp.

In short, Schüssler Fiorenza explores our patriarchal assumptions when we read biblical texts – especially how the conventions of grammar normalize a male perspective – and proposes a way of reading the texts that is simultaneously critical, feminist and focused on the liberation of all humanity, not just the white women who have often been the focus of feminist projects.

Unfortunately, much of Schüssler Fiorenza's argument is veiled by a sea of ten-dollar words that defy a reader's efforts to synthesize it. As an academic type who is comfortable reading books designed for a graduate-degree audience, I nevertheless struggled to finish what is in fact a fairly short work (just 216 pages not including notes). Her proposals are too important to be so ill-served by impenetrable prose, which makes But She Said not only frustrating but tragic.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Explores different hermeneutics from a feminist lens. I wanted to read it for its introduction of the term "kyriarchy", though it referred to so much other work that I hadn't read that I am not sure that I got much out of it. There are interesting things to think about.

My favorite line is this, after discussing various healings and parables: "Jesus's ministry seeks the wholeness and well-being of everyone in Israel."

Yes, and whether you are referring to kyriarchy, patriarchy, or dominator culture, it is that refusal to give up power to control and abuse that keeps getting in the way of everyone's wholeness and well-being.

[Fede Boccacci · Rating 4 out of 5]

La postura de Schüssler Fiorenza es muy interesante. Plantea una fuerte crítica al patriarcalismo y kyriquialismo, a los esquemas esencialistas y naturalistas del género y propone una opción marcada por una retórica que revaloriza el lugar de la mujer en un discipulado de iguales y en una ekklesia de mujeres. Y para ello en muchos casos es necesario reconstruir la memoria del cristianismo primitivo desde una perspectiva femenina.

Sin duda lo más interesante del libro son las deconstrucciones de los personajes bíblicos femeninos: Marta y María, María Magdalena, la mujer sirofenicia (Justa), la mujer encorvada que ella llama la mujer que se pone de pie. Lo demás es una gran estructura teórica (de gran impronta metodológica y epistemológico), que si bien muy lúcida, sigue un poco una lógica de espiral, donde las ideas se van retomando una y otra vez, y dan la sensación de ya haberlas leído en capítulos anteriores.

Este es el elenco de las 7 mujeres del libro:
1. Miriam, la que preside la danza de la interpretación
2. Aracné, la que teje la palabra
3. Maria Magdalena, la que recuerda el pasado
4. Justa, la que construye una base común no patriarcal
5. Sofía, la sabiduría de Dios que discierne en el Espíritu
6. Prisca o Priscila, la maestra de sabiduría
7. Sabá, la que plantea enigmas

[Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding the feminine side of God

[M Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have previously appreciated this author’s work but on page 66 of this book, she distorts the Biblical record to make her point. She lost me right there.

[Eve Lumerto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely insightful and one of the most interesting books I read for university.