Picking up on the gender, gender, gender theme of the week, Mike has initiated a helpful new meme. As I was talking with a friend about the issue of female bibliobloggers, we wondered how the percentage of female bibliobloggers differed from the percentage of female biblical scholars. We tried to name as many female biblical scholars as we could off the cuff. It seems like a round on this meme would help that exercise be a little bit easier. Given the conversation we’ve been having, that seems like a good idea. This is what Mike has to say:

I want to propose a hopefully constructive way of responding to one underlying issue.  When Ken Brown summarized the results of his fantastic meme on the top 5 books, he noted “a shameful under-representation of women (only Margaret Barker and Toni Morrison received more than one vote, with two each).”  So I want people to list the 5 most influential female scholars on their scholarship and tag 5 or 6 others.

That last line is a little ambiguous, but I think he means for us to share those five female biblical scholars who have influenced us the most. So, here’s my (slightly extended) list:

1. Marianne Meye Thompson (books): Her particular interests in Johannine literature and her emphasis on theology in biblical interpretation are not exactly what set my heart a flutter. But no other female biblical scholar has had a greater influence on my scholarship, research methods, and writing. While at Fuller, I took three master’s level courses (NT 1: Gospels; The Cross in the New Testament; NT Exegesis: Gospel of John) and two doctoral level seminars (NT Research Methods; Johannine Theology) with her. She is known on campus as a stickler for precision, but also one to provide extensive feedback for each paper even for master’s students. While our primary research interests don’t perfectly align, she taught me how to ask better research questions, use primary sources more effectively, and make better arguments. [Update: Nick has reminded me that I should note here my gratitude for all MMT has taught me about John and using theology in biblical interpretation. I don't get as excited about those things as I do social history, identity formation, and apocalyptic thought, but that is precisely why here insight is so valuable to me. She has filled in an area that would otherwise constitute a gap in my attempt to be a generalist.]
2. Adela Yarbro Collins (books): Prof. Yarbro Collins’ is known for her work in apocalyptic literature and thought from a socio-historical perspective. Yarbro Collins is a solid historical-critical scholar and she has been a surefooted guide as I attempt my way around the maze that is apocalyptic thought and social history. She is also a very warm person to talk to in person, which is always a plus for any scholar.
3. Paula Fredriksen (books): Paula Fredrickson is just plain fun. Her scholarship is lively and asks intriguing questions. I appreciate her desire to question the “parting of the ways” assumptions of so many. I think I’m persuaded that, at the ground level, there was no great schism for centuries. Have you seen her most recent book on Augustine and the Jews? Very exciting! Incidentally, she is someone I’d very much like to see with a blog.
4. Martha Himmelfarb (books): I have been introduced to the writings of Prof. Himmelfarb via one of my profs at UCLA, Ra’anan Boustan, who worked closely with her getting his Ph.D. at Princeton. She is a master of apocalyptic thought and literature, writing her scholarship with precision and insight. Precision, when it comes to scholarship on apocalyptic literature, is a scarce resource. What I have appreciated about her scholarship is its ability to navigate visionary symbolism in a manner that makes logical sense! I am very excited about her forthcoming survey of apocalyptic writing.
5. Margaret M. Mitchell (books): Need I say more? I will simply say that I have a deep admiration for her skill with Greco-Roman literature and its relevance for the study of New Testament and early Christian writings, not to mention her seamless (and relevant) use of items from popular culture. Her article in the book that I am indexing is probably the best of the bunch and inspires me to become a better writer. She is another scholar I’d love to see with a blog. There is so much character and insight to her writing.
6. Judith Lieu (books): I am going to cheat and add a sixth. Judith Lieu is a thoughtful scholar, adept at handling complex problems with the utmost care. As I am entering into the fray of social identity and Christian origins, she is one of the able guides I am looking to for help!
7. Reta Halteman Finger (books): I am going to cheat some more and add a seventh. Reta was one of my professors in college. Though my feminism has many roots, her influence is among them. Interestingly, at the time I took her survey course on the New Testament (early as an undergraduate), I was not thinking I would become a biblical scholar. Also, I was not an Anabaptist yet. It was fun to catch up with her for the first time a couple years ago at SBL in DC and again in San Diego. She was surprised to find out that I had not only become an Anabaptist, but had also pursued social history in New Testament studies, which was her approach as well. Feminism, Anabaptism, social history. I can’t let that go unmentioned in this list. If any of those topics interest you, she came out with two books recently with Eerdmans that would be right up your alley.

Now for the tagging. First, I’d like to tag Daniel O. McClellan even though he already completed the meme, just so he knows he’s tag-worthy. Then, let’s see, how about my UCLA colleague Kevin Scull, upcoming SBL roommate Brandon Wason, Julia O’Brien because she’s got a great blog, Loren Rosson III (who extended a nice comment on my Jim West post), and Chris Spinks (who mediated what could have been a disastrous collision with Jim West ). And anyone else who feels like doing this one.

Thanks for getting the ball rolling, Mike.

Update: If I had been thinking clearly, I would’ve included Carolyn Osiek (books) as an 8th. Outstanding stuff.