Arab Christian Women in the Middle East Theological Education and Ecclesiology in Contemporary Context

Contents

Table of Figures
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements

Introduction
Reframing Theological Education for Arab Protestant Women in the Middle East
Research Questions
An Autoethnographic Narrative: Exploring the Researcher’s Dual Identity as a Middle Eastern Christian and a Woman in Theological Education
References

Chapter 1: The History of Arab Protestant Women in Middle Eastern Theological Education
An Autoethnographic Narrative: A Middle Eastern Christian Woman in Theological Education
Introduction
The First Nahḍa of the Thirteenth Century (1024–1318)
Second Nahḍa of the Nineteenth Century (1860–1915)
Arab Protestant Women of the Nahḍa (1860–1915)
The Ecclesial Milieu for Arab Protestant Women in Theological Education
The Sociological Background for Arab Protestant Women in Theological Education
Conclusion
Reference List

Chapter 2: Eastern Christian Perspectives on the Theological Education of Arab Protestant Women
Introduction
Why an Eastern Christian Perspective?
Retrieving Models of Women in Theological Education from Early Church History
The Coptic Model—Making Space for Women through Monastic Culture
The Desert Mothers and the Monastic Movement
The Historical Context of the Coptic Church
The Modern Revival within the Coptic Church
The Coptic Sunday School Movement
Modern Women Monastics: Mother Irini as a Saintly Model
The Present Ecclesial Context of the Copts
The Maronite Model—Making Space for Women through ‘Identifying the Presence and Mission of Women in Church and Society’
The Historical Context of the Maronite Church
The Life of Hindiyya Al-Ujaimy—A Maronite Arab Woman (1720–1798)
Recent Developments in the Maronite Church
The Present Ecclesial Context in Lebanon
The Role of Women Deacons in Eastern Christianity
Conclusion

Chapter 3: Arab Protestant Women and the Religious Education of Muslim Women
Introduction
Four Positions of Viewing Women in Islam
Four Waves of Feminism: Implications of Feminism on Muslim Women
Islamic Religious Education for Women
Pedagogy for Muslim Women in the Mosque Movement
What can Arab Protestant Women in Theological Education learn from Islamic Religious Education?
Limitations of the Mosque Movement
Conclusion

Chapter 4: Field Research Strategy: Scenes from the Qualitative Data
Introduction
The Context of Protestant Women in Theological Education across Palestine, Egypt, and Lebanon
Research Orientation
Data Collection Methods
The Population Sample
Validity and Reliability
Summary of Thematic Analysis Methodology (for the Interviews)
Conclusion

Chapter 5: Arab Protestant Women in Theological Education
Introduction
Meta Theme One: Ecclesial Contributions of Arab Women
Meta Theme Two: Cultural Realities Limit Arab Protestant Women’s Roles in the Academy and Church
Meta Theme Three: Western Influence
Meta Theme Four: Theological and Educational Perspectives of Arab Protestant Women
Conclusion

Chapter 6: Towards a Third Nahḍa: Arab Protestant Women in Theological Education
Introduction
Exploring Ecumenism for Arab Women in Theological Education
Arab Protestant Women Engaging as Lay Theologians
Reframing Arab Protestant Women’s Engagement Beyond Mission Work
Theological Institutions in the Theological Education of Arab Protestant Women
Other Recommendations
Conclusion

Conclusion: An Autoethnographic Narrative: Where to from here?
Introduction
Original Contribution
Limitations of the Study
Emerging Areas for Further Inquiries.

Appendices
Appendix 1: Protestant Theological Institutions (Chapter One)
Appendix 2: Religious Islamic Institutions (Chapter Three)
Appendix 3: ECTE Gender Distribution in Theological Education (Chapter Four)
Appendix 4: Gender Distribution Follow Up (Chapter Four)
Appendix 5: Field Research Schedule (Chapter Four)
Appendix 6: Interview Questions (Chapter Four)
Appendix 7: Rationale for Interview Questions (Chapter Four)
Appendix 8: Summary of Characteristics of the Participants Interviewed (Chapter Four)

INDEX

Biography

Grace Al-Zoughbi is a Palestinian theologian from Bethlehem whose scholarship focuses on the participation of Arab women in theological education. She served for several years on the faculty of Bethlehem Bible College, including as Head of the Biblical Studies Department (2011–2018), and is currently faculty at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) in Beirut. Grace is the accreditation officer for the Middle East and North Africa Association for Theological Accreditation (MENATE).

"This intriguing study by Grace Al-Zoughbi draws on theological formation in Eastern traditions, while also noting broader developments in women’s religious movements, including those in mosque contexts to present a fresh paradigm for raising up Protestant lay women theologians in the Middle East. This book presents both a compelling vision and practical starting points—a treasury of insights."

Jill Firth, senior lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament at Ridley College Melbourne.

"Contextual theological education is, thankfully, a developing area of study and this work is an excellent and important example. It demonstrates deep understanding and wise counsel within the rich and challenging context in which Arab Protestant women engage in theological education in the Middle East. Above all, it offers a challenging template for how contextual theological education can, and should, be conceived and practiced across our diverse world."

Graham Cheesman, former supervisor at Queen’s University Belfast and former Director of the Centre for the Study of Theological Education in Northern Ireland.

 

"In this exploration of the underrepresentation of Arab Christian women in theological leadership, Grace Al-Zoughbi perceptively situates their experiences within a historical, theological, cultural, and contextual framework. Her call for women to lead and serve within the people of God arises from the lived realities of the Middle East and contributes an important regional perspective which will enrich ongoing global conversations on women’s theological education."

Kate Tyler, Senior Lecturer, Bishopdale College, Nelson, New Zealand.