Author Challenges Herself to 1 Year of ‘Biblical Womanhood’

Is it possible for women to fulfill their traditional roles of “Biblical womanhood” in today’s modern age?

In her book, A Year of Biblical Womanhood, author and blogger Rachel Held Evans challenges the traditionalist view of interpreting biblical womanhood and discusses women’s role in the home and church. Evans will speak at Azusa Pacific University’s East Campus, Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. on her experience of literally following all of the Bible’s instructions for women.

In her journey, Evans wore a scarf over her head to pray, called her husband “master” and stood on the roadside with a sign that said, “Dan is awesome.” She even sat on the roof for an afternoon of penance for gossiping, made her own clothes and remained silent in church.

In the end, Evans said her experience demonstrated that it is impossible for women to practice consistent literal Biblical womanhood.

“Millions of Christian women make their decisions regarding faith, family, and career based on popular conceptions of ‘biblical womanhood,’ though few have considered the selectivity with which they apply gender-based biblical instructions,” said Evans in a written statement. “While some may laugh at the notion of biblical literalism, my experience emerges from a culture in which biblical womanhood is continually held as a standard for which women must strive. My goal is to invite women to cut themselves some slack.”

For more information on Evans’ talk at APU, call (626) 815-4502.