Women's Experience of Migration and the Book of Ruth
[Thesis]
Dagley, Kelly D.
Goldingay, John
Fuller Theological Seminary, Center for Advanced Theological Study
2019
295
Ph.D.
Fuller Theological Seminary, Center for Advanced Theological Study
2019
This project is an endeavor to read the book of Ruth in light of women's of experience of migration. Ruth and Naomi are both immigrant women. What might we discover if we read the events of the story looking for experiences particular to immigrant women today? The project is a synthesis of three methods. First, a model of women's experience of migration is created using a survey of contemporary social scientific studies focusing on women and migration. The four themes of this model are: 1) Motivation for Migration, 2) Women's Social Networks, 3) Danger of Sexual Abuse and Violence, and 4) Negotiation of Gender Ideologies. Second, readings of the book of Ruth with immigrant women were facilitated using Contextual Bible Study in order to bring the text into engagement with women who have migrated. The women's own experiences, observations, and questions relating to these themes are reported. Third, observations from the migration studies and the readings are brought to the text. Using the tools of narratology, the book of Ruth is then investigated to discover where the story might intersect with the preceding material and bring new implications for interpretation.