Feminist interpretation has become one of the important text-centered literary methods in biblical interpretation. It challenges the authority, canonicity, veracity, and normativity of the biblical text due to its patriarchal-androcentric orientation. Feminist readers ask how far the patriarchal texts in the Bible can be authoritative and normative in articulating the theology and practices of the church. The author responds to these important questions both sympathetically and critically and considers whether they might have universal significance. He provides a lucid and thorough examination of the hermeneutical methodologies and presuppositions that lie behind many of the leading proponents of feminist readings of the Old Testament. The author asks whether Eve is unnecessarily accused by the traditional readers or is completely liberated by modern feminist readers. A valuable study written with clarity. Abraham doesn't shrink from confronting complex hermeneutical questions in a manner relevant to modern issues, with the added interest of insights from his Indian background. --Grace I. Emmerson, formerly Lecturer in Old Testament and Biblical Languages, University of Birmingham Abraham's perceptive exploration of modern feminist readings of Genesis 1-3 is a timely re-examination of the significance of these chapters for Christian theology. --Gordon McConville, University of Gloucestershire It is to Abraham's merit that complex issues and a plethora of names and variant positions are treated with clarity and finesse while he argues that the question of equality or inequality of the sexes falls outside the concern of the creation account which, however, seems generally positive to women. --Esther Ng, Wheaton College Dr Abraham argues for a broader approach to Scripture which seeks to be sensitive to the original cultural and historical context in which the Bible was conveyed. This book deserves a wide readership and I am confident will further the debate on this important issue. --Timothy C. Tennent, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Joseph Abraham holds the degrees of MA, BD, MTh, and PhD. His doctorate, which forms the subject of this volume, was completed at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Dr. Abraham has taught Old Testament and Hebrew at New Theological College in India.
