·Women were treated as equals. ·The Gospel of Luke often called the “women’s gospel” because it has many accounts of women. ·Women are believed to be heavily influential in the spread of Christianity. ·Julian (Juliana) or Norwich had a series of mystical experiences, which she later described in her book Revelations of Divine Love. She wrote of experiencing the feminine side of God.
mary magdalene
•“The apostle to the apostles.” •Portrayed as visionary and leader of the early movement. •Models the ideal discipline.
JOanna
•As a woman of wealth and high rank in Herod’s courts, she had seen men of influence abuse their power. •Joanna had an encounter with Jesus that changed her life. Jesus healed her of some spiritual or physical malady •Joanna’s gratefulness for the healing she experienced by the hands of Jesus caused her to serve Him by totally committing herself, supporting His ministry, and following Him wherever He went. •Her pursuit of Christ allowed her to experience not only the forgiveness of Christ, but also the life of Christ. She learned of His humility, love and mercy, authority, integrity, wisdom, discernment, strength, joy, and special union with the Father. Through serving Jesus she learned how to walk in step with God.
MARY
Mary mourning the death of her son.
•Mother of Jesus. •Virgin wife of Joseph. •Did not visit the tomb because she knew her son, Jesus, would not be there. • The assumption of Mary: she died surrounded by the apostles, her body disappeared days after, and the apostles believed her body ascended into heaven.
elizabeth
•Luke 1:5-25. Elizabeth became pregnant and amazed everyone, including herself. •Luke 1:57-66. Recognizes her child will apart of God’s plan for humanity. Helped and identified herself with cousin Mary. •Luke 1:67-80. Gives birth to John the Baptist.
Citations
"Women In Ancient Christianity: The New Discoveries." PBS. PBS. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/first/women.html>. " Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus." Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. <http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/beliefs/mary.htm>.
"ELIZABETH, John the Baptist's Mother Protected Her Cousin Mary." ELIZABETH, John the Baptist's Mother Protected Her Cousin Mary. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. <http://www.womeninthebible.net/2.4.Elizabeth.htm>.
"Today's Word." : Influential Women of the Bible: Joanna. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. <http://dailydevotionalword.blogspot.com/2011/05/influential-women-of-bible-joanna.html>.