Her-Meneutics: Women as Authoritative Interpreters of Scripture

Whom do you consider an authoritative person to answer questions about the Bible or sacred Scripture? As an authority on translations from Hebrew or Greek manuscripts of the Bible? As the author of a study Bible or commentary or theological work? Are the persons who come to mind only or mainly men?

Women as Authoritative Interpreters of Scripture

Women read the Bible with a different set of eyes and with a different range of life experiences.

Yet, as women we often accept male figures as the only authorities on sacred Scripture without even being aware of this normativity because male interpretation is not marked as such, it is simply considered authoritative. Women's interpretation, however, is typically marked in some way, such as a Women's Bible Commentary, a women's study group, or even feminist, and is not considered normative or authoritative for all.

Her-Meneutics versus His-Meneutics

Scripture should speak to us as women. And I believe that it does.

The act of making meaning from a text is interpretation. In academics and scholarship, interpreting Scripture is called "hermeneutics." Women are sometimes encouraged to interpret the Bible for other women or for children. Or we are encouraged to accept the interpretation of men exclusively.

This means that most biblical interpretation is his-meneutics and not hermeneutics.

So, can women be authoritative interpreters of Scripture?

Yes!

In this blog we seek to explore readings of sacred Scripture and their meaning for women. We seek to do hermeneutics.

There is nothing wrong with his-meneutics, and many interpretations of Scripture applicable to all persons. Three cheers for the wonderful men theologians and faith figures who have shaped our thinking about the Bible! And we are beyond grateful for the wonderful men who support, champion, encourage, and listen. But we also recognize that some faith communities are already saturated with men's perspectives on Scripture.

Room for More Voices

It is time to make room for a more diverse set of voices and experiences. Our goal is not to displace or replace his-meneutics. There is room for everyone at the table!

This blog celebrates readings of Scripture that focus on women's interpretation, and especially women's authority to interpret the Bible from our own unique lived experience.

At Religion for Her, we aim to focus on her-meneutics, because it is historically underrepresented.

Melissa Ramos, author