DO WHAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO

Studies of Six New Testament Women
by Helen Bruch Pearson

May be ordered at Luther Seminary Bookstore, 651-641-3440. Discount is available to all; books can be mailed to you.

"DO WHAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO"

From the introduction:

"The title is taken from the story of Jesus' anointing at Bethany by the woman with an alabaster jar filled with costly ointment. When some of the guests treated her rudely, Jesus replied, 'She has done what was in her power to do.'"

(Mark 14:8 JB)

This phrase is echoed in the lives of many women whose stories are merely hinted at in the biblical text, but because of their valiant actions of long ago, we still know the truth of that power. "Do what you have the power to do" is a challenge that invites (us) to do just that."

"These are biblical stories of long ago, but we know that stories of oppression, abuse, prejudice, and injustice are still being lived out in our time. Wherever there are religious, social, and economic systems that dehumanize, victimize, ostracize, and silence that voice of any person, we will hear the mournful echoes of our sisters who speak to us in this study."

Chapter 1 speaking a new word about these women

Chapter 2 the woman who anointed Jesus, an example of a true disciple

Chapter 3 the bent-over woman, healed by Jesus, helps us distinguish between justice and charity

Chapter 4 the Canaanite woman who talked back to Jesus, and intercessory requests ("The woman who extended the Lord's Table")

Chapter 5 the woman who broke the curse through the power of her touch

Chapter 6 the story of the woman "caught" in adultery ("The Power of a New Beginning")

Chapter 7 the Samaritan woman at the well: "Hauler of Living Water"

Helen Bruch Pearson is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and Dean for Community Life at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.

"The purpose of this book is to explore with theological integrity, historical imagination, creative revisioning, narrative retelling, and celebrative worship the stories of six New Testament women."

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