Caryn Reeder on the Samaritan Woman’s Story

We’re often told that the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 was a sinner and an adulteress. But what are we missing in the story? And what difference does our interpretation of this passage make for women and men in the church?   

Caryn Reeder is Professor of New Testament and coordinator of the Gender Studies Program at Westmont College in California.

‘The Samaritan Woman’s Story – Reconsidering John 4 After #ChurchToo’ is published by IVP America.

• (0:58) The #ChurchToo movement.  Abuse in the church;
• (2:28) Why is there such a climate of abuse in the church?
• (5:40) Why interpretations of John 4 have been so focused on the Samaritan woman’s alleged sexual sin;
• (6:36) The Samaritan Woman’s background and her mental history;
• (8:14) The length of marriage in the Roman Empire – about 15 years;
• (9:00) Divorce in the Roman Empire;
• (10:20) Marriage as a business arrangement.  Women were married at an early age;
• (12:00) Jesus and the Samaritan woman;
• (14:30) The symbolism of wells in biblical history;
• (16:00) Jesus overturns racial and sexual barriers;
• (16:41) The Samaritan woman as a model of discipleship;
• (18:22) Early church interpretations of John 4
• (21:02) How our biblical interpretations impact on women in the church.

Links mentioned in this episode:

www.ivpress.com

Caryn A. Reeder 'The Samaritan Woman's Story: Reconsidering John 4 After #ChurchToo'

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