Feminism, Bible, Texts and Terror – A Feminist Reflection

Forty years on from the publication of Phyllis Trible’s pivotal book Texts of Terror (1984), two feminist-identifying Hebrew Bible scholars review feminist commentary on biblical texts of sexual violence arguing first, that the field remains vibrant, diverse, interdisciplinary, and dynamic and second, that reading with empathy is a critical part of the feminist project. Two tribute books echoing Trible’s title have appeared in quick succession. One, Terror in the Bible (2021), is a collection of essays edited by M. J. Melanchthon and R. J. Whitaker; the other, Texts After Terror (2021), is a monograph by R. Graybill. Examining both books functions as a strategy to demonstrate first, the ongoing polyvocality of feminist biblical criticism and second, the need for ongoing resistance to the Bible’s toxic content in a world where sexual violence remains a potent source of trauma, harm, and injustice. In the light of considerable acclaim for Graybill’s 2021 book, the article offers critical assessment that cautions against some of its claims to radical transformation. The article calls for feminists to combine critical thinking with critical empathy in their reading of violent texts.