An Introduction to Womanist Biblical Interpretation

Don't be deceived by the size of this book (under 200 pages), Nyasha Junior packs a lot of information into this book.For someone who is relatively new to the term "womanist" and to its unique contribution to biblical interpretation, this book is just sort that I was looking for.First, Junior doesn't make assumptions about the reader's knowledge, but also doesn't make a reader with some background knowledge feel like they are wasting their time and money.She begins by discussing the history of and definition of the terms "feminist" and "womanist." Then gives the reader some context pre-dating the usage of those terms.Next, Junior provides the reader with a brief survey of works and authors as well as their importance and place in the continuing development of womanist biblical interpretation.It is a reader-friendly guide that does not get bogged down by unnecessary asides nor does she attempt to throw everything and the kitchen sink into a single volume.The book is a starting point for discussion and further research rather than striving to be a definitive single-source volume. Just as valuable as the text itself is the resource list at the end of every chapter and copious footnotes throughout.

Sometimes you don't even know what you don't know.This book helped me become aware of how little I know about womanist thought in general, and womanist biblical interpretation more specifically. Junior's writing is clear & concise - Great for an introductory book. She traces African American women's interpretation of & engagement with biblical texts, linking womanist biblical interpretation to these long traditions. By positioning womanist thought & biblical interpretation in this history, Junior deemphasizes its connection to feminist thought. This is good & important because feminism in the US has close historical ties to white women & racist thought. I suspect it's easy for (white) feminists to privilege the links between womanism and feminism over the links to African American women's traditions, and this book was a helpful corrective (to me, a white feminist).Junior's book was enjoyable to read and it gave a clear introduction to womanist biblical interpretation. It will be important to biblical studies in general and t will be helpful for upper division undergraduate and graduate courses.Readers with an interest in womanist thought, religious studies, and biblical studies would be well-served be reading this book.

The author is keen regarding classification and identification within the womanist movement. Thus, the book is not a womanist perspective, but a history of the waves and perspectives within womanist biblical interpretations. It is an excellent guide and one that should not be lost, or glossed over, but taken for what is meant to represent.

Junior's book, an invaluable introduction for anyone interested in biblical interpretation, challenges those working in biblical studies to profoundly rethink the field. Junior provides both a methodological critique of the ways in which womanism is often conceived as related to feminism (particularly by those who have no training in womanist approaches) and a guide through womanist biblical literature. This book will an invaluable resource to scholars, course instructors, and students at any level.

This is a really comprehensive volume packed into a tightly written package. While it covers much of the feminist and womanist scholarship it is also really accessible to an average reader. I think it would be a great class text. I've cited it in a paper already. Kudos to Junior and this latest wave of womanist biblical scholars.

This work is essential to building a foundation for womanist perspectives of the Bible. it is well thought out, easily accessible ,and bridges numerous fields of study. This work has impacted my preaching as well as my approach to the Biblical text

Great read for anyone interested in Womanist Theology.

Required reading in biblical studies. Suited for undergraduates, graduates, advanced scholars.

This a seriously good resource from Professor Nyasha Junior, tracing the development and distinctiveness of Womanism and Womanist interpretation in comparison with the trajectory of the feminist movement.Clearing away the misconceptions, Junior’s exploration helps to demonstrate the breadth and history of womanist engagement with the Biblical texts. She provides a fascinating survey of the work of the women that have generated the movement and it’s diversity (in turn, greatly increasing my “must read” list), and critiques both the positives and negatives of their contributions to Biblical interpretative methods. Concluding the book, Juniors adds her own poignant assessment and reflections on the future of Womanism.There’s much I took away from this survey. Most of all, I’m reminded again—especially as a white, British, male—of how imperative it is to listen to the voices and experiences of others as I view the world around me; including when I engage with the Bible. These voices are needed to pull us away from our myopic tribalism, and are prophetic in exposing our systematic evils.Nyasha Junior’s *An Introduction to Womanist Biblical Interpretation* has introduced me to stories and voices of many that I have been ignorant of; stories that have not been made available to me through other streams of scholarship. And for that, I am extremely grateful. Thank you Professor!Also, as an aside, out of all the books I’ve read the past few years, this certainly has best cover design!—Tristan Sherwin, author of *Love: Expressed*

This is a good foundational round-up of womanist Biblical thought. It has given me a decent overview and lots more texts to dig into on the topic.