Books The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth  by Beth Allison Barr (Author)

The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr is a historical and theological critique of the concept of "biblical womanhood" as it is commonly understood in evangelical Christianity. Barr argues that the idea that women are meant to be submissive wives, virtuous mothers, and homemakers is not rooted in the Bible itself but is a product of historical, social, and political influences over the centuries.

Barr explores the history of women's roles in Christianity, highlighting medieval women like Margery Kempe who defied male authority and actively taught the faith, challenging modern assumptions about women's silence in the church. She discusses how the Protestant Reformation hardened gender hierarchies and replaced the priest’s authority with that of the husband, contributing to women's subjugation.