__How Women Influenced the Church in Its Formative Centuries__   
"I constantly encourage students and pastors to tell more stories about women in the early church from the pulpit, in classes, and in casual conversations. This is a book for every pastor's and teacher's bookshelf because it not only tells stories about women but also shows how the early church, which has often been maligned for its reputation when it comes to women, was more formed by women than many know."  
--__Scot McKnight__, Northern Seminary  
  
"This engaging volume, accessible to students and general readers alike, highlights the theological contributions of women in the second through the fifth centuries CE. Informed by a thorough knowledge of the ancient historical context, the authors offer a nuanced discussion of the fascinating material. This book sheds new light on aspects of women's influence in early Christian communities, with a specific focus on their roles in theological debate and development."  
--__Margaret MacDonald__, Saint Mary's University  
  
"In this exceptional book, Cohick and Hughes bring to the fore the often overlooked protomartyrs, theologians, teachers, ascetics, and politicians of the early church--the women whose stories animated the imagination of Christians for centuries and whose influence, authority, and legacy has been preserved in the literary and material record."  
--__George Kalantzis__, Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies, Wheaton College  
  
"This engaging and readable study of early Christian women is especially appealing because of its attention to a selection of fascinating characters. By adopting this kind of biographical approach, while still supporting their stories with excellent scholarly analysis and helpful historical context, Cohick and Hughes make their subjects--and their times and places--come alive."  
--__Robin Jensen__, Vanderbilt University  
  
"Cohick and Hughes bring a welcome gift to patristic scholarship and to the classroom. Theologically nuanced, historically informed, contextually careful, and delightfully written, this book will both enlighten and challenge readers, scholars, and students alike."  
--__Helen Rhee__, Westmont College  
  
"This sophisticated and wide-ranging study will be of great interest to anyone concerned with the status and roles of women in the early Christian world. Abundantly illustrated and sensitive to the many problems of interpretation posed by sources, it takes us on an exhilarating ride."  
--__David G. Hunter__, University of Kentucky

__Lynn H. Cohick__ (PhD, University of Pennsylvania) is provost, dean of academic affairs, and professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois.  
  
__Amy Brown Hughes__ (PhD, Wheaton College) is assistant professor of theology at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.

__A Top Ten Book for Parish Ministry in 2017, Academy of Parish Clergy  
  
A Jesus Creed 2017 Book of the Year (Honorable Mention)__ From facing wild beasts in the arena to governing the Roman Empire, Christian women--as preachers and philosophers, martyrs and empresses, virgins and mothers--influenced the shape of the church in its formative centuries. This book provides in a single volume a nearly complete compendium of extant evidence about Christian women in the second through fifth centuries. It highlights the social and theological contributions they made to shaping early Christian beliefs and practices, integrating their influence into the history of the patristic church and showing how their achievements can be edifying for contemporary Christians.

Illuminates the influence, authority, and legacy of women in the early Christian centuries, showing how they helped shape Christianity in its beliefs and practices.

__Contents__ Introduction  
1. Thecla: Christian Female Protomartyr and Virgin of the Church  
2. Perpetua and Felicitas: Mothers and Martyrs  
3. Christian Women in Catacomb Art  
4. From Pagan to Christian, Martyr to Ascetic  
5. Helena Augusta, "Mother of the Empire"  
6. Egeria's Itinerary and Christian Pilgrimage  
7. Macrina the Ascetic Entrepreneur and the "Unlearned" Wisdom of Monica  
8. Paula, Marcella, and the Melanias: Ascetics, Scholars, and Compatriots in Controversy  
9. Aelia Pulcheria, "Protectress of the Empire," and Empress Eudocia, a Theological Poet  
Conclusion: Responsibly Remembering  
Indexes

Cohick, Lynn H. ;Hughes, Amy Brown

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Endorsements

Dedication

Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Time Line of Major Persons and Events

Introduction

1. Thecla: Christian Female Protomartyr and Virgin of the Church

2. Perpetua and Felicitas: Mothers and Martyrs

3. Christian Women in Catacomb Art

4. From Pagan to Christian, Martyr to Ascetic

5. Helena Augusta, “Mother of the Empire”

6. Egeria’s Itinerary and Christian Pilgrimage

7. Macrina the Ascetic Entrepreneur and the “Unlearned” Wisdom of Monica

8. Paula, Marcella, and the Melanias: Ascetics, Scholars, and Compatriots in Controversy

9. Aelia Pulcheria, “Protectress of the Empire,” and Empress Eudocia, a Theological Poet

Conclusion: Responsibly Remembering

Bibliography

Index of Ancient Sources

Index of Subjects

Back Cover

A Top Ten Book for Parish Ministry in 2017, Academy of Parish Clergy  
  
A Jesus Creed 2017 Book of the Year (Honorable Mention)  
  
From facing wild beasts in the arena to governing the Roman Empire, Christian women--as preachers and philosophers, martyrs and empresses, virgins and mothers--influenced the shape of the church in its formative centuries. This book provides in a single volume a nearly complete compendium of extant evidence about Christian women in the second through fifth centuries. It highlights the social and theological contributions they made to shaping early Christian beliefs and practices, integrating their influence into the history of the patristic church and showing how their achievements can be edifying for contemporary Christians.

Christian Women in the Patristic World

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