Official Gospels and Women in the Apostolic Role: A Case Study

Abstract

Contemporary studies find different perspectives when discussing the role of women in religious communities and the influence of religion on the social representation of women. Some scholars have viewed religion as a tool to oppress women, and for this reason have attempted to reduce its value in the eyes of women believers. While others, due to the significant population of women believers, have viewed religion as a factor in reviving the status of women. In the feminist approach, with the help of modern study methods, the sacred religious texts, especially the Christian texts, are read, understood and analyzed to explore the influence of religion on the status of women in the light of a new perspective. In this study, an attempt has been made to first discuss the apostolic role played by women with Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Then we will examine the four Gospels’ account of Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene, who accompanied Jesus on his journeys, and find a model for the presence of women believers based on a feminist approach. Both women played a dynamic role in various social activities and in different religious fields, both practically and theoretically. Hence, they have attracted the attention of feminist scholars. This research also attempts to examine the components of women’s faith in a descriptive-analytical method.

Keywords

• gospels
• feminism
• feminine faith
• mary of bethany
• mary magdalene