Postcard Sketches of Women in Church History
Many know of the remarkable women mentioned in the Gospels and Epistles as servants of Jesus. They were instruments of God’s grace in the world and servants of the Church and the Gospel. Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Phoebe, Priscilla, Euodia, and Syntyche are familiar names.
However, late-modern Christians rarely visit the centuries beyond that ancient era, except perhaps to mine the treasures of various theological developments. That loss of memory means we seldom glimpse the lives of the courageous and faithful men and women who carried Christ’s mission across continents and centuries.
Throughout church history, women have played pivotal yet often underrecognized roles in shaping Christian thought, practice, and community life. From the early days of Christianity to the modern era, female theologians, royalty, martyrs, and evangelists have emerged as powerful voices of faith. They've influenced theological debates, composed hymns, and profoundly shaped social movements, governments, and missions. This article aims to briefly introduce some of the most influential female voices across the centuries, noting the enduring legacy of their service to the Christian faith and its diverse communities.
I’ll highlight just a few women we should be familiar with. I hope their example will not only inspire you but also encourage you to dig deeper into their stories of grace—and those of others, too. Many more could - and should! - be noted. I’ve tried to select women with an unusual influence rather than those I’d always agree with. In each, however, runs a stream of courageous faith and boldness.
Early and Medieval Periods (1st to 14th Century)
The early and medieval periods of church history were marked by many female spiritual leaders who navigated the complex interplay of a world convulsing into an entirely new society, constantly under threat from massive population movements, plague, and the emergence of Islam as a threat to the European order. Thecla, Macrina, Hildegard von Bingen, and Claire of Assisi stand out for their pioneering contributions to mission, music, theology, and monastic practice.
Macrina the Younger, sister of St. Basil the Great, played a crucial role in the spiritual formation of her brothers and in the development of Christian monasticism. Renouncing worldly life after the death of her fiancé, Macrina persuaded her mother and siblings to adopt a life of prayer and asceticism, effectively transforming their estate into a monastic community. Her intellectual and spiritual influence shaped her brother Basil's theological writings, particularly on the Holy Spirit and Christian living. Macrina's legacy is a testament to the profound impact of women in the early church, not only as devout followers but as theologians and leaders in their own right.
Monica, the praying mother of St. Augustine, remains an inspiration to all parents who pray the promises of God over their prodigal children. Her faithful, humble witness and tearful perseverance in prayer for her son were essential to his conversion, and her witness to Christ’s love with him was a vital part of his calling. An African Berber by birth, Monica married Patricius, a Roman pagan who was brutal and dissolute. But her faithfulness to Christ was unchanged despite his challenges. Her wayward son was the object of her unceasing prayers, and comforted by the assurance of a Bishop that God would not leave her tears unanswered and the child of these tears unconverted, she pressed into God for the life of Augustine, ultimately the greatest theologian of the Western Church.
Hildegard of Bingen, a German Benedictine abbess, was renowned for her mystical visions and contributions to science, music, and theology. Her correspondence with popes and kings and her prophetic writings challenged the church's and society's views on women's roles in spiritual and intellectual discourse.
Clare of Assisi, inspired by Francis of Assisi, founded the Poor Clares, an order committed to poverty and prayer. Her leadership and dedication to a life of poverty influenced many and solidified the role of women in the Franciscan movement.
These women, each from different centuries, shared a commonality in their unwavering commitment to their faith and the innovative ways they expressed it. Their teaching, leadership, and example left a legacy that would inspire future generations.
The Reformation and Post-Reformations (15th to 17th Century)
The Reformation and post-Reformation periods saw intense religious, social, and intellectual upheaval in Europe. During these transformative centuries, several women stepped forward, not just as supporters of the Reformation but as theologians, writers, patrons, and advocates for renewal.
Argula von Grumbach emerged as a formidable figure during the Reformation in Germany. A Bavarian noblewoman, she became the first Protestant woman writer, using her pen to challenge university theologians over the persecution of a Lutheran student. Her letters and pamphlets, grounded in Scripture, defended the Lutheran cause and argued that women be permitted to speak out on religious matters. Her boldness in the face of contrarian ecclesiastical and societal norms demonstrated the potential for women to contribute to reform.
Marie Dentière, a former abbess who left her convent to embrace the Reformation, became an outspoken advocate for the inclusion of women in religious discussions. Settling in Geneva, she wrote a letter to Marguerite of Navarre, sister of King Francis I of France, urging her to support the Reformation and to recognize the spiritual ministry women could offer. Dentière's work, "Epistle to Marguerite de Navarre," is a passionate argument for female participation in religious reform and an early call for the recognition of women's roles in the church.
We should also note the wives of two prominent Reformers.
Idelette (de Bure) Calvin was the widow of a former Anabaptist who, together with her, read Calvin’s Institutes and began to attend St. Peter’s in Geneva and became friends with the Reformer. Sometime after her husband’s death, Martin Bucer suggested Idelette as a possible wife for Calvin, and the two were married in 1540. Idelette brought two children with her into the marriage. The Calvins regularly welcomed numerous refugees from persecution to their home, and this without much by way of material income. Idelette gave birth prematurely to a boy, Jaque, who died a month later, a loss that was hard for the couple to endure. A girl followed but likewise died in infancy, and then Idelette delivered a stillborn child. Calvin was only 40 when Idelette passed away in 1549 and would live only another 15 years. Yet what this couple accomplished together, despite many trials and sorrows, sets an example of pastoral kindness and love that remains an inspiration.
Katherine (Von Bora) Luther was a former Nun who renounced her Roman Catholic vows and became a powerful partner with Luther in his work. Luther had helped her and several sisters of the Cistercian order to escape and find husbands (as their families refused to accept them back!), but Katherine held out for Luther himself. He was 40, and she was 25 when they married in 1525. Katherine was a remarkable entrepreneur, running a brewery and raising livestock. The Luthers had six children and welcomed four orphaned children into their household. She died at 53, several years after her husband’s death. His passing left her in deep financial straits, and due to this and the plague that broke out at various times, she was forced from her home. Her boldness and bravery were legendary.
These women, among others, navigated the challenges of their time with remarkable courage and conviction. Their writings and actions not only contributed to the spread of Reformation ideas but also laid the groundwork for future generations of women to assert their place in religious discourse and leadership. By articulating their understanding of faith and Scripture, they challenged the constraints imposed on them by both church and society, advocating for a more inclusive approach to spiritual life and leadership.
The Great Awakenings and the Rise of Global Missions (18th and 19th Centuries)
The Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th centuries were pivotal in shaping the religious landscape of America, fostering a spirit of revival and personal piety that crossed denominational lines. This period also marked a significant moment for female religious leadership, as women took on more visible roles in preaching and religious reform. Among them, Phoebe Palmer and Jarena Lee stand out for their pioneering contributions to religious life and the expansion of women's roles in the church.
The Countess of Huntingdon became a central figure in Calvinistic Methodism as a friend to George Whitfield and John Wesley. Whitfield became her chaplain and she often hosted large dinner parties in her London home where Whitfield had the opportunity to preach the Gospel to some of the most prominent people in English society. She led the effort to establish the Foundling Hospital in London. When Methodist students were expelled from Oxford, she established Trevecca College in Wales to train future generations of preachers. Her generosity was responsible for planting 64 churches, and she contributed to many others. Her work in support of the Wesleys and Whitfield was crucial to the spread of the First Great Awakening. Next only to Susannah Wesley, mother of John and Charles, The Countess is responsible for the global influence of Methodism.
Catherine Booth of Brixton in London was a Wesleyan Holiness member, later expelled from the local congregation with other “reformers,” among them her future husband William. She was a powerful orator, and their radical “Salvation Army” was a force for the conversion of thousands of working poor and significant social reform.
Lottie Moon was a pioneer in the modern Missions Movement. She was a missionary in Tengchow and Pingtu, China, for nearly 40 years; instrumental in instigating first Christmas offering, 1888. She was educated at Female Seminary at Botetourt Springs (later known as Hollins) and at Albermarle Female Institute, Charlottesville. She was converted in the spring of 1859 in a meeting by John Albert Broadus, then pastor at Charlottesville. She taught at Danville, Ky., and Cartersville, Ga. She volunteered for missionary service in 1873, in response to a sermon on the text, "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest," and she was appointed to China, on July 7, 1873, by the Foreign Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention. In 1888, she wrote to the Baptist women of the South, pleading for reinforcements. The first Christmas offering in 1888 provided three additional missionaries. She spent 14 years in China before taking her first regular furlough. Toward the end of her days, she suffered with her Chinese people in a terrible famine. She gave all she had. In the time of deepest trials, she wrote, "I hope no missionary will be as lonely as I have been." Literally starving, she grew steadily weaker. Before Christmas 1912, Cynthia Miller, a faithful nurse, started back to America with Lottie Moon; death came to the frail missionary on Christmas Eve while the ship was at the harbor in Kobe, Japan. The present Christmas offering for foreign missions, sponsored by the W.M.U., is named for her.
In her mid-teens, Florence Nightingale, “The Lady with the Lamp” sensed a call from God to serve the poor and sick. A brilliant statistician, she was not encouraged to obey that call. The profession of nursing was not widespread or well-respected at the time, but she chose that vocation over her parent’s strenuous objections. She studied in Germany at Pastor Theodore Fliedner’s hospital and School for Lutheran Deaconesses and then in Paris with the Sisters of Mercy. Her work with British soldiers during the Crimean War led to significant breakthroughs in hospital sanitation, diet, and cleanliness. At the hospital in Istanbul/Constantinople, where she cared for the wounded, the death rate dropped from 40% to 2%. She revolutionized medical facilities and the training of nurses in England, creating a global effort to revolutionize the care of the sick.
Phoebe Palmer is often hailed as the Mother of the Holiness movement. She broke new ground in theology with her doctrine of "entire sanctification," which she argued was attainable through faith and a complete consecration to God. Palmer's active role in the Methodist church, coupled with her widespread influence as a speaker and writer, challenged the traditional confines of women's roles within religious settings. Her Tuesday Meetings for the Promotion of Holiness in New York City became a cornerstone of the Holiness movement, attracting both men and women and spreading the message of sanctification far beyond her immediate circle.
Jarena Lee was the first woman authorized to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, making significant strides for both women and African Americans in religious leadership. After experiencing a profound call to preach, Lee approached Richard Allen, the founder of the AME Church, to seek permission to preach. Initially rebuffed, she later received Allen's blessing to carry out her ministry following a spontaneous sermon that impressed him. Lee traveled extensively, preaching to racially mixed audiences and breaking barriers not only as a woman but also as an African American in the early 19th century. Her autobiography, "The Life and Religious Experience of Jarena Lee," provides a vivid account of her evangelistic efforts and challenges, serving as an inspiring testament to her faith and perseverance.
The contributions of Palmer and Lee to the religious awakenings of their time illustrate the expanding opportunities for women to serve as leaders and preachers. Their ministries challenged prevailing gender norms and laid the groundwork for future generations of women in ministry, emphasizing the importance of personal faith and the right of all believers, regardless of gender, to proclaim the gospel.
20th Century to the Present
The 20th century and the early years of the 21st century have witnessed a dramatic transformation in the role of women in church leadership. This era has seen female preachers not only continue the legacy of their predecessors but also forge new paths in theological discourse and ecclesiastical leadership. Among the notable figures, Aimee Semple McPherson and Katharine Bushnell stand out alongside a growing number of contemporary female preachers who are reshaping the landscape of modern church leadership.
Aimee Semple McPherson was a trailblazer in the early 20th century, founding the Foursquare Church and becoming one of the most influential Pentecostal evangelists in America. Her dynamic preaching, healing services, and use of modern media made her a household name. McPherson's ministry broke new ground for female preachers, paving the way for Kathryn Kuhlman, a formidable and mystical evangelist and author who led large healing crusades.
Together with her father and sister, Corrie ten Boom was a member of the Dutch Resistance during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Her family hid persecuted Jews in their home and helped to smuggle many to freedom. Betrayed, she and her family were sent to various prisons, her father dying early in captivity. Corries and her sister Betsie were eventually sent to Ravensbuck Concentration Camp in Germany, where Betsie perished. Her final words were, “There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still.” Corries was released through a clerical error and moved by the Gospel message of forgiveness, becoming an instrument of reconciliation and widespread Gospel challenge across Europe and worldwide.
In the academic realm, Katharine Bushnell, a doctor and Christian writer, made significant contributions to “Christian feminism”, writing with special force for an egalitarian approach to ministry. She authored "God's Word to Women," a groundbreaking work that challenged traditional interpretations of Scripture that she believed were used to justify the subjugation of women. Bushnell's theological insights and activism provided a foundation for later feminist theologians and advocates for women's ministry within the church.
In contemporary North America, female Sunday School teachers, authors, missionaries, teachers, and preachers like Henrietta Mears, Edith Schaeffer, Elizabeth Elliot, Rosa Parks, Beth Moore, Nancy Guthrie, Paige Benton Brown, Jackie Hill Perry, Kathy Keller, Rosaria Butterfield, Fleming Rutledge, Rachael Denhollander, theologians Katherine Sonderegger, and Barbara Brown Taylor have been influential voices in Christian spirituality and religious thought. Their ministries and writings reach a global audience and address issues of faith, women’s discipleship, sexuality, healing and justice for abuse victims, social justice, and personal transformation.
Conclusion
The journey of female theologians, missionaries, reformers, and evangelists throughout church history is a narrative of resilience, courage, and profound faith. From the early days of Christianity to the present, women have played crucial roles in shaping the theological and social contours of the church. Despite facing considerable obstacles, their voices have echoed through the ages, challenging traditional norms and expanding the possibilities for female service in religious contexts.
The legacies of these pioneering women—from Thecla and Macrina in the early church to the many contemporary servants of Christ we might more readily recognize —illustrate the grace God gives his Church through our mothers and sisters in the Faith. Their contributions have enriched and challenged Christian theology and practice and paved the way for future generations of women to take up roles of fruitful ministry and influence. The stories of these remarkable women inspire us. Their perseverance and achievements remind everyone that the journey to bring the Gospel to all is fueled by the conviction that every voice is vital in the chorus that answers the Great Commission’s call.