A Woman’s Place Is in the Story INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
JON BOYD IVP vice president of editorial and associate publisher
Jon Boyd: How is understanding the story of Scripture different from just telling stories about women? Sandra Glahn: The same way that watching an episode differs from watching a series. If we tuned in for only one episode, we might meet the characters and get a sense of their personalities. But we’d miss how the character or episode contributed to the entire series. The same thing happens when we hear stories of women in the Bible but we detach them from the greater story. JB: You’ve written a lot, both scholarly and for a broader audience. What is special about this book for you? SG: The book brings together several of my loves—of the art of narrative and storytelling; of paying careful attention to what a writer is doing; and of helping readers see how the women in Scripture are active agents. I had so much fun writing this book because the research allowed me to see great details of word crafting—like how the narrator of Exodus says Moses’s mother put him in an “ark,” using the same word we read in the story of Noah. JB: Is there a particular character or group that stood out to you? SG: The midwives (Exodus 1) at this cultural moment especially moved me with their civil disobedience in honoring life and doing for the vulnerable what they could not do for themselves. Moses got a burning-bush call from God. But Shiphrah and Puah, along with those under their direction, quietly saved Israel long before Moses saved Israel by living justly in their small corners of the world. They died without ever knowing their seemingly unseen work in subverting a world power preserved the one whom God would use to deliver his people.
JB: Who is this book for? SG: I’m glad you asked that. A Woman’s Place Is in the Story is for anyone who takes seriously the truth that all Scripture is for all of us. The stories about women are not for “women only” any more than the story about Jesus is only for men. Imagine if we watched a TV series but chose to watch only those characters who are the same gender as we are or only episodes that center those who are like us. We would miss the main story! My book may be about women, but it’s not intended only for women. JB: You have a new podcast. Can you tell us a little about it? SG: The Chick Report: Scholarship with a Touch of Slan g launched in late January. The first season is based off my new book title. Through the twelve episodes (and one bonus episode), I interview scholars—men and women alike—who help us see how women in the biblical text are essential to the storyline. ■
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