A New Gospel for Women: Katharine Bushnell and the Challenge of Christian Feminism

Katharine Bushnell, a late nineteenth-century doctor and reform advocate, worked to expose sexual abuse and trafficking while developing a feminist interpretation of Christian scripture. This biography traces her journey from medical missionary work in China through her investigations of abuse in Wisconsin lumber camps and British colonial India. As a self-taught theologian, Bushnell challenged male biblical scholars' translations and interpretations that positioned women as subordinate to men. Her theological writings aimed to prove that the Bible, when properly translated, supported women's equality and condemned the exploitation of women. The book contextualizes Bushnell's work within both the nineteenth-century women's movement and Protestant Christianity in America. Her story connects to broader questions about feminism, faith, and biblical interpretation that continue to resonate in contemporary religious and social discourse.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and scholarship on Katharine Bushnell's theological work and feminist advocacy. Many note the book fills an important gap in religious history by highlighting Bushnell's biblical interpretations on gender. Readers liked: - Clear writing style that makes complex theological concepts accessible - Connection of historical feminist theology to modern debates - Thorough documentation and extensive footnotes Main criticisms: - Some found the academic tone dry at times - A few wanted more personal details about Bushnell's life - Limited discussion of how Bushnell's ideas influenced later movements Ratings: Goodreads: 4.32/5 (22 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (15 ratings) "Well-researched look at an overlooked figure in Christian feminism" - Goodreads reviewer "Important contribution but dense reading at times" - Amazon reviewer "Du Mez brings Bushnell's revolutionary biblical interpretation to light" - Christianity Today review

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📚 Katharine Bushnell worked as a medical missionary in China and studied biblical languages to translate scripture directly from Hebrew and Greek, challenging traditional male-centric interpretations. 🌟 The book reveals how Bushnell connected her anti-trafficking activism with her biblical scholarship, arguing that mistranslations of the Bible had been used to justify the exploitation of women. 🎓 Author Kristin Kobes Du Mez is a professor at Calvin University who specializes in the intersection of gender, religion, and politics in American history. ⚡ Despite being largely forgotten after her death, Bushnell's theological work influenced both early feminists and modern evangelical gender debates. 🌍 Bushnell conducted investigations into sex trafficking in British India and Wisconsin lumber camps in the 1880s, documenting the abuse of women and girls while working with the Women's Christian Temperance Union.