Category: Church History and Historical Theology

Arcangela Tarabotti, a seventeenth-century Venetian nun, forced into a Benedictine convent against her will, wrote a protest against the involuntary monastic enclosure of women entitled Paternal Tyranny. In what may be the earliest extant example of a woman‘s exegesis of Judges 11, Tarabotti argues that the tragic sacrifice of Jephthah‘s daughter was less violent than imprisoning women in convents for their entire lives.

Schroeder argues that the earliest martyrdom accounts sensitively acknowledged the sexual assault of Christian martyrs. Later accounts, written after persecution had ceased, stressed the inviolability of the virgin martyr, who remained passive and was protected by Christ, her jealous bridegroom. Thus the literary virgin martyr who was truly faithful could not be raped against her will.

An article comparing Katharina Zell‘s and Luther‘s interpretation and use and theological emphasis with Psalm 51.

An article interpreting the changes in women‘s spirituality during the Reformation and women‘s theological contributions in what ensued.

Laying out the task for the book/writers in search for a shared language and interests in the territory called “spirituality.”

An article reflecting on spirituality based on Luther‘s theology and experience.

A case study: what is “spiritual” – implicitly or explicitly – about teaching these subjects.

An article interpreting the life and contribution of Katharina Luther.

Study of Birgitta of Sweden and Julian of Norwich.