I think the point made by Gioia and Gwynn about, "rather than declare one interpretation correct and the other mistaken, reader-response criticism recognizes that different insights are inevitable. Instead of trying to ignore or reconcile the contradictions, it explores them." Would anyone agree or disagree that reader-response criticism has close ties with psychoanalytic criticism? It seems as though the reader-response act in and of itself is very psychological.

Redaction Criticism is new to me. Thanks for this description; I am interested in reading more about it. I think the idea of the writers as active theologians and writers who are releasing a creative energy makes the text come out even more alive and meanignful. If the writers were mere collectors and transcribers, as described above, then maybe there is no spirit-breath or divine inspiration involved. When an understanding of the purpose, bias and intention of the writers is better understood, I think we come away with a greater understanding of the text's message and an invitation to find our connection to it. At least at this point, I find redaction criticism to be an integral piece to add to how the bible is approached.

Feminist Biblical Criticism involves both a critical assessment of androcentric attributes of the Bible and the Bible's erudition, an opposition to the oppressive ways the texts have been used, and a liberation of such texts to recreate the feminine voice and rediscover the women in scripture.

In her book, Sharing Her Word, Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza states, "The diverse theoretical articulations of feminism, I suggest, come together in their critique of elite male supremacy and hold that gender is socially constructed rather than innate or ordained by God." The author also explains, "Feminism is best understood as a theoretical perspective and a historical movement for changing socio-cultural and religious institutions and structures of domination and exploitation."

What is perhaps at the crux of this critique is noted in the feminist criticism outline provided by the Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Dr. Hoffman of Gettysburg Seminary: "How can a woman be empowered by reading a biblical text?"

Prominent Feminist Scholars: Heather A. McKay, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Tikva Frymer-Kensky, Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza

Another good resource for feminist biblical criticism.

Like the title on this one.

An interesting aticle on feminisn in religion by Gerda Lerner (found in a Harvard Divinity Shool Bulletin). It mentions feminist biblical criticism.

A GREAT Power Point presentation of Feminist Biblical Criticism

here it is: http://www.gettysburgseminary.org/mhoffman/markexp/hdouts/Feminist%20Criticism.pdf

Ahhh, the woman's Bible!

I liked the book overview for this one.

Looks like a good assistant to the Bible for Feminist Criticism...

Let's see if this works..."Hermeneutics of Survival"