Sandra Glahn

Summary: Through a study of literature, epigraphic, art, and architectural evidence, proposes that Artemis, far from being a fertility goddess, was a virgin, who aided women in childbirth, and considers the implications for our reading of 1 Timothy 2:11-15.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 is a critical text in discussions of the role of women in the church, and whether women may teach. The apparent prohibition and its tie to “being saved through childbirth” is alternately understood as a universal principle or occasional instruction based on the situation in Ephesus, where Timiothy is working to consolidate the ministry begun there during Paul’s time there. Those who would argue the context refer to Ephesus as the center of the worship of Artemis. A path-breaking work in that regard was Richard Clark Kroeger and Catherine Clark Kroeger’s I Suffer Not a Woman, arguing that the worship of Artemis as a fertility goddess led to false teaching with women asserting themselves, also referencing the goddess’s role in enabling childbirth. This offered a basis for treating these verses as “occasional” instruction to correct a particular abuse.

This work would make the same argument but from a very different assessment of the nature of Artemis worship. Glahn cites the explosion of epigraphic and inscriptional evidence in recent decades and the research tools to access the information as contributing to this very different portrayal of Artemis. The portrait is of a goddess whose painless birth was in contrast to her twin, Apollo, whose birth came after days of agonizing labor, leading Artemis to pursue a virgin life. She became the goddess who aided women as a midwife in labor, either reducing their pains in labor or granting them, through her arrows, a painless death or at least, a release from pain. She also considers the Artemis cult in Ephesus and the women who elaborately adorned her statue, and the women who served as priests. Women looked to Artemis to save them through childbirth.

But what about the statuary showing Artemis with a multitude of breasts, a symbol of fertility? Glahn argues that these are not breasts at all for anatomical reasons, but rather a type of necklace. With different nuances that arise from Artemis as a virgin and helper of women with child, she argues that this was what Paul had in mind when he referred to women being saved through childbirth. Where Christian converts might be tempted to revert to trusting Artemis, he argues for their trusting Christ. Offering this reading, she contends that 1 Timothy 2 is teaching specific to the situation in Ephesus, not an abiding teaching for the whole church, helping to explain why Paul himself speaks of women teaching and prophesying elsewhere in his letters, and of trusted co-workers who were women.

Glahn leads us through the literary, epigraphic, artistic, and architectural evidence from which this portrait of Artemis, the goddess especially worshipped in Ephesus, emerges. She also traces her own journey as a woman, wrestling with the interpretation and application of texts, and her growing realization that the story she’d always been told just wasn’t so. Her own research gave further warrant for that. For her, none of this led to a denial or diminishment of biblical authority, but rather a growing understanding of this contended text, and a growing sense of the liberating gospel of Christ for men and women.

Whether or not one agrees with Glahn’s conclusions, the study of Artemis is so important as a backdrop to Paul’s Ephesian ministry. Glahn points to a number of references in writings with an Ephesian audience that show the superiority of Christ to Artemis without ever mentioning the goddess. Her work acquaints us with the latest evidence that contradicts in important ways earlier understandings of Artemis. For all these reasons, this is a valuable study.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.… (más)

One in six Americans of childbearing age experience infertility problems which lead to further struggles, including stress, sexual difficulties, marital discord, and a disturbing uncertainty about the future. Sandra Glahn knows these issues far too well and has teamed with medical specialist Dr. William Cutrer to reissue an updated edition of their trusted resource for couples struggling to have children.

While focusing on the emotional and spiritual struggles that accompany infertility, Glahn and Cutrer also provide detailed information on associated medical issues and fertility treatments and alternatives. Questions at the end of each chapter and lists for recommended reading promote further discussion while case histories and personal testimonies make the facts relatable. With a sensitive touch and trusted advice, Glahn and Cutrer offer encouragement and hope for couples struggling with infertility. Selected Reading Questionnaire.… (más)

Glahn has put together an interesting and thought provoking study on Esther. The daily chapters are fairly short, although there are occasional days when they are longer and take more time (but still nothing more than 30 minutes a day) so it's easy to fit into a schedule. This study includes the Scripture verses being studied directly in the book which is handy to have with you.

My only complaint about this study is that some of the questions can be difficult to answer with very little guidance if you don't understand a question or two. Nearly all of them are very straightforward but there were a couple that I found tricky… (más)