Three Early Female Protestant Reformers' Appropriation of Prophecy as Interpretation of Scripture

Bibliographic Data

ID3230679
AuthorsG Sujin Pak (0009-0009-0675-5192, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume84
Issue1
Pages90-123
Publication date2015-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChurch History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0009-6407 • E-ISSN: 1755-2613
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0009640714001723
OpenAlexW2050687579
LanguageEN
References cited28

After setting forth a wider context of the role of prophecy for German medieval women, the dual medieval tradition of prophecy as visionary and as interpretation of scripture, and the protestant emphasis on prophecy as interpretation of scripture, this essay demonstrates that Argula von Grumbach, Katharina Schütz Zell, and Marie Dentière not only echoed the appeals to the priesthood of all believers made by contemporary male reformers, they also embraced the teachings of these same male reformers that viewed prophecy as interpretation of scripture. In this way, prophecy became a significant lens by which Argula von Grumbach, Katharina Schütz Zell, and Marie Dentière conceived of themselves and their ministries-an understanding often lacking in the secondary sources that study these women. Specifically, it will be shown that each of these women employed Old Testament prophecy in ways that parallel contemporary male reformers' use of prophecy: presenting herself as speaking God's Word and not her own, locating her ministry within a larger biblical prophetic tradition, interpreting contemporary situations in the light of biblical prophecy and to distinguish between true and false prophets. The article concludes by exploring whether the male reformers actually intended this application of their teachings for women and exploring what is distinctive in these women's views and uses of prophecy

Appropriation · Art · Context (archaeology) · Epistemology · Interpretation (philosophy) · Literature · Old Testament · Protestantism · Theology · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · History · Philosophy · Reformation and Early Modern Christianity · Religion, Gender, and Enlightenment · Religious studies

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub