The Cry of Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church's Response

by Pamela Cooper-White

In this comprehensive, practical, and gripping assessment of various forms of violence against women, Pamela Cooper-White challenges the Christian churches to examine their own responses to the cry of Tamar in our time. She describes specific forms of such violence and outlines appropriate pastoral responses. The second edition of this groundbreaking work is thoroughly updated and examines not only where the church has made progress since 1995 but also where women remain at unchanged or even greater risk of violence.

Genres: Feminism, Theology, Religion, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Pamela Cooper-White began her education as an art and music major at Boston University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree Magna cum Laude. She went on to earn both a PhD at Harvard University in historical musicology with a dissertation on Arnold Schoenberg’s opera Moses und Aron, and a Master of Divinity with Honors at Harvard Divinity School. Music was a bridge to ministry—she discerned a call to ordained ministry while serving as a church music director. During her MDiv program, inspired by the Catholic Worker movement, she founded and directed a ministry for men and women living on the streets in Salem, MA, and first became involved in working with battered women and their children. While seeking her first call to ministry, she taught musicology from 1982-1983 at UCLA and served as a shelter and hotline volunteer at Sojourn Services for Battered Women in Santa Monica, CA. In 1994 she was ordained to the ministry in the United Church of Christ and was called as Director of San Francisco Partnership Ministry—a coalition of 6 urban churches—overseeing a multi-service agency for Southeast Asian refugees and leading a ministry of accompaniment for Salvadoran pastors who had received death threats.

Reviews

[Velma Bagby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad I found this book. Great resource

[Rebecca Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal resource—comprehensive and thoughtfully written.

[Jeanne Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good resource. Hard to read because of seriousness of topic. The rape of Tamar is the opening to the church's treatment of rape, sexual abuse, and women in general.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a hard read, but there is no "fluff." Every word is important.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first of its kind, this book examines the biblical story of the rape of Tamar in light of traditional and more modern Christian approaches/understandings to various forms of domestive abuse, sexual violence and other forms of innappropriate relationships. It is unique because of the breadth of situations covered from a Christian feminist perspective. I'm not done yet, but what a resource and what a thought provoking study that critiques the bible/its writers, traditional biblical scholarship and particularly their treatment of women as well as critiquing and offering some assistance in how the church might better advocate for women in biblical teaching and in the hard realities of life.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not only one of the best books I read this year, but one of the best books I've read, period. Pamela Cooper-White's updated edition of "The Cry of Tamar" is utterly outstanding. It brings together a thorough understanding of many forms of violence against women, how they are interconnected, the church's historical response and how the church can respond in a positive way in the future. It was exhaustively researched and beautifully end noted- I intend to check out some of the books she referenced over my Christmas break.

If you want to better understand a culture of violence against women, especially as a religious leader, this is the book you should read.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows how a biblical passage can open up an important discussion about violence against women. She gives incredible detail on the different ways in which women experience violence in their lives and is unapologetic about her purpose. She speaks clearly about what kind of language and theology is not only flawed but incredibly damaging to the victims. This book is incredible if you are a pastor or any member of a Christian community trying to figure out how to open up a conversation about the violence that permeates women's lives.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not a genre I would pick for casual reading- it was required for a God & Human Sexuality course. While the author is well educated and passionate about this topic (I can absolutely appreciate this)- the in depth analysis, elaboration and references lost my interest. I was most intrigued by the story of Tamar (2 Kings' 13) and the voice she has given her in relation to those who have lived her story.