Women and Men in the Fourth Gospel: A Genuine Discipleship of Equals

by Margaret Beirne

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2004

Overview

The fourth gospel presents the reader with an early Christian text in which women and men are treated as “a discipleship of equals.” Specifically, the gospel contains six examples of “gender pairs” of characters (a widely-accepted Lukan feature). The members of each pair are portrayed in a parallel or contrasting faith encounter with the Johannine Jesus that is of substantial theological importance to the gospel’s stated purpose (John 20:31). Through close examination of these pairs, Margaret M. Beirne offers a reading of the Gospel which gives support to the equality of women and men with respect to the nature and value of their discipleship.

Contents

Top Highlights

“the author leads the way in the promotion of women and their role as models of authentic discipleship.^{22” (Page 5)}

“asked specifically by Jesus ‘Do you believe?’, a question couched in the context of a healing miracle;” (Page 27)

“ohannine women and men are presented to the reader in a series of ‘gender pairs’.” (Page 10)

“often take the initiative, and consistently demonstrate bold and active faith.^{15” (Page 5)}

“placed in unconventional roles and acting in non-stereotypical ways.^{33” (Page 7)}

Product Details

• Title: Women and Men in the Fourth Gospel
• Author: Margaret Beirne
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Publication Date: 2004
• Pages: 272

About Margaret Beirne

Margaret Beirne received her Ph.D. in Theology from the Melbourne College of Divinity and is currently Principal and Lecturer in Biblical Studies at the Centre for Christian Spirituality at Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.