Includes bibliographical references (pages 511-540) and index.

The Gospel and the world of Jesus : wives and mothers -- Acts and Epistles : prophesying daughters and silenced wives -- The rise of the Church and the downfall of Rome : martyrs and sex objects -- Medieval Catholicism : nuns, "heretics," and mystics -- Reformation Protestantism : daring noblewomen and godly wives -- Post-Reformation sectarianism : visionaries and "she-preachers" -- Trans-Atlantic reform and revivalism : social workers and lay evangelists -- Foreign missions : jungle pioneers and urban church planters -- The non-Western church : lowly Bible women and renowned educators -- Modern Pentecostalism and denominationalism : tent-toting evangelists and ordained ministers -- The contemporary church faces the issues.

Like many of the women whose stories it tells, this book has a subdued strength that should not be underestimated. Rich in historical events and colorfully written, this account spans nearly two thousand years of church history. It tells of events and aspirations, determination and disappointment, patience and achievement that mark the history of daughters of the church from the time of Jesus to the present. The authors have endeavored to present an objective story. The very fact that readers may find themselves surprised now and again by the prominent role of women in certain events and movements proves an inequality of which historical narrative has often been guilty. This book sets the record straight, restoring balance to a history that has repeatedly played down the significance of the contributions of women to the theology, the witness, the movements, and the growth of the church.--From publisher description.