The Feminine Spirit: Recapturing the Heart of Scripture

"The traditional narrative of the male–dominated Bible is turned on its head in this new understanding offered by Bundesen. . . . The stories of Sarah, Rebekah, Abigail, Ruth, Esther, Mary, and others are seen in new light, as are Old Testament teachings and New Testament writers such as Paul. This is not a new translation or commentary, nor is it a breezy read for women looking for light fare. Bundesen′s knowledge of the Bible is clear throughout, as is her agenda: to offer a new way to read the Bible with women in the limelight."
Publishers Weekly

"Lynne′s insight and thoughtful compassion are evident on my web site and in this book, as she addresses many of the mind, body, and spiritual ideas that impact our health as individuals and a nation."
Andrew Weil, M.D., author, Healthy Aging

"As a pastor, theologian, father of four daughters, and one who is a chaplain with the USMC, I wish I had this book in seminary twenty years ago. So many books are read once and put away. This one will cause the reader to return again and again."
Rev. Patrick J. McLaughlin, commander, United States Navy Chaplain Corps; former chaplain, Presidential Retreat Camp David

"Lynne Bundesen′s latest work, The Feminine Spirit, ought to be required reading for anyone who is interested in a fuller understanding of the confluence of spirituality and gender."
Rabbi Niles Elliot Goldstein, author, Gonzo Judaism: A Bold Path for Renewing an Ancient Faith

Note to the Reader.

Starting the Journey: How to Begin.

1. In the Beginning.

2. The Seed and the Serpent.

3. The Breasted One.

4. A Gathering of Women.

5. I Am That I Am.

6. Rough Places, Plain Places.

7. The Woman Alone.

8. Psalms.

9. Kings, Queens, Widows, Prophets.

10. The Voice and Job.

11. Crying in the Wilderness.

12. The Eyewitnesses.

13. A Few Simple Rules.

14. Who Tells the Story?

15. Spreading the Word.

16. The Spirit and the Bride.

Bibliography.

The Author.

Lynne Bundesen is the author of So the Woman Went Her Way, selected as one of the 25 Best Books of the past 25 years by the Washington National Book Club in 2003. A former faculty member at Boston Theological Institute and a Hearst Syndicate columnist, she is a three–time winner of the Religion in Media award.

The traditional narrative of the male–dominated Bible is turned on its head in this new understanding offered by Bundesen, a former syndicated columnist and author of So the Woman Went Her Way. She goes back to the original Hebrew for a feminine interpretation of "ruach Elohim" (the Spirit of God), also referring to the King James Version of the Bible as the translation that "has led to confusion about the nature of the biblical God." Her understanding of God as "the Breasted One" opens the door to different interpretations of the roles of biblical women. "What in the present culture leads us to think biblical women are veiled, isolated, non–entities in a desert landscape, trailing behind husbands who are worshipping a vengeful male God?" she asks. The stories of Sarah, Rebekah, Abigail, Ruth, Esther, Mary and others are seen in a new light, as are Old Testament teachings and New Testament writers such as Paul. This is not a new translation or commentary, nor is it a breezy read for women looking for light fare. Bundesen′s knowledge of the Bible is clear throughout, as is her agenda: to offer a new way to read the Bible with women in the limelight. (Mar. 16) ( Publishers Weekly, November 27, 2006)