Good Girls, Bad Girls of the New Testament

In 12 chapters, Wray introduces well-known women (Mary, the mother of Jesus; Mary and Martha; the Samaritan woman at the well) and those less familiar (Tabitha, Bernice and Drusilla, Prisca), situating them in their historical and literary contexts and drawing from them lessons for the contemporary world. In general introductions to biblical materials, the author gently introduces source-critical questions and the difficulties of distinguishing fact from authorial invention. . . .Wray's contemporary applications are eloquent, which commends the volume for church-based adult education courses: she comments on the nature of grief, the need to balance service with self-care, and the toxic effect of rumor. . . . Summing Up: Recommended. General readers. * CHOICE *
T. J. Wray’s Good Girls, Bad Girls of the New Testament offers a lively reflection on twelve stories that feature intriguing and powerful women whose lives and activity are preserved across the early Christian scriptures and beyond. The power of Wray’s prose is in bringing these women of the first century to life across the ages and illustrating the relevance of their lessons for the twenty-first century and beyond. -- Sherri Brown, Creighton University
T. J. Wray presents twelve stories of New Testament ‘good girls and bad girls’ in a style that readers will find both engaging and edifying. Wray’s studies, although anchored in careful scholarship, are never pedantic and her challenging reflections are aimed at prompting lively discussions and deeper appreciation for these exceptional women of the Bible. -- Robin M. Jensen, Patrick O’Brien Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame
Some of the women in Good Girls, Bad Girls of the New Testament are household names like Mary Magdalene, some have little-known names like Tabitha, and some have no name at all, like the forever-anonymous woman at the well. Whether they have a name or not makes no difference. T. J. Wray draws at least one lesson to remember from each of the stories of the women upon whom she gazes with a scholar’s and mother’s eye. -- Raymond F. Collins, Brown University
Informed by solid scholarship, this is an eminently readable introduction to the women of the New Testament for students and general readers alike. It is filled with colorful accounts that bring these women to life, drawing thought-provoking parallels to our own day. The picture is fascinating and complex—frequently challenging our assumptions about the lives of these ancient women. -- Margaret Y. MacDonald, Saint Mary's University