Women, Ideology and Violence

(Paperback)

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Cheryl Anderson examines the treatment of women in the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20.23-23.19) and the Deuteronomic Law. Cheryl Anderson examines the laws relating to women that are found in the Book of the Covenant and the Deuteronomic law. She argues that the laws can be divided into those that treat women similarly to men (defined as 'inclusive' laws) and those that treat women differently ('exclusive' laws). She then suggests that the exclusive laws, which construct gender as male dominance/female subordination, do not just describe violence against women but are inherently violent toward women. As a non-historical critique of ideology, critical theory is used to offer analytical insights that have significant implications for understanding gender constructions in both ancient and contemporary settings.

Reviews

'Subtitled: Critical Theiry and the construction of gender in teh Book of the Covenant and the Deuteronomic law, this is a study of OT laws relating to women. Both legal codes inscribe a patriarchial ideology that constructs masculinity as a male dominance and, correspondingly, female subordination, are inherently a form of violence.' International Review of Biblical Studies, vol 51, 2004/05
"This book is to be commended, and, indeed, recommended. The sub-title promises a grounding in critical theory and on this the book delivers....I followed the presentation of this thesis with considerable interest and empathy and was grateful for the careful grounding of its insight. My hope is that it will be widely read." - The Bible and Critical Theory, Vol. 1 No. 3, 2005
"Thought-provoking, provocative, and inspiring" Ilona Rashkow, Associate Professor of Judaic Studies, Women's Studies and Comparative Literature, The State University of New York * Blurb from reviewer *
"I am very grateful for the strong stand that Anderson takes on violence against women, and the fact that she does not excuse the biblical text, try to redeem it, or see it as redemptive in some way. She does this in a nuanced way that does not simply victimize women" Erin Runions, Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Pomona College * Blurb from reviewer *
The argument of the book is carefully crafted, moving from an original exploration of individual legal elements from the biblical works as these apply to men and women, to suggestions as to how identity is thus constructed -- Dr Mary E Mills * Expository Times *
interesting questions raised -- Bernard Robinson * pastoral review, the *
From her unique perspective as a lawyer and biblical scholar, Cheryl B. Anderson examines the treatment of women in the laws of the Book of the Covenant and in the Deuteronomic Law. The author provides a clear introduction to gender theory and uses contemporary critical, gender, and legal theories to examine the construction of gender in the Book of the Covenant and Deuteronomic Law... Anderson presents a convincing investigation demonstrating the embedded ideologies in Pentateuchal law and shows how those laws constitute a form of violence against women... Andersons work is especially meritorious in that it offers readers interpretive frameworks to be used as counter-strategies for future examination, encouraging readers to enhance her study by asking more nuanced and fresh questions. -- Andrea M. Sheaffer, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, USA * Theology and Sexuality *

Author Bio

Cheryl Anderson is Old Testament professor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Methodist Minister. Previously she was a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C. Her other books include 'Women, Idelogy and Violence' (T&T Clark, 2004).