Pastor Epperly Pens Book on Biblical Heroines

Saturday, February 27 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly, will give a lecture and book signing on his recently released book, Ruth and Esther: Women of Agency and Adventure (Energion Publications). The lecture and signing will be held at South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Centerville.

The book asks the questions: How can we gain wisdom from the literature of an ancient patriarchal society in a 21st century context? Where can we find good role models for girls and women in the Bible? Epperly notes that all too often these questions are answered by presenting the answers given by patriarchal society and religion, and not by looking for liberating examples.

In contrast to patriarchal religion and culture, the stories of Ruth and Esther provide strong counter-examples of women who had to struggle against the cultural norms in order to live and to do great things for their people. Epperly sees them as women of agency and adventure, resourceful and proactive women in patriarchal cultures, who, despite being subject to the apparently arbitrary decisions of males with authority, were agents in their destiny fulfilling their vocations in their particular culture. Moreover, from these women of agency and adventure, those who find themselves excluded from power can find encouragement to stand up and be the persons of agency and adventure that God created them to be, no matter what restrictions others have placed upon them.

http://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Esther-Women-Agency-Adventure/dp/1631992198/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1455195230&sr=8-10&keywords=Bruce+Epperly