Reconceiving Infertility

Candida R. Moss is professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of Ancient Christian Martyrdom: Diverse Practices, Theologies, and Traditions, among other books. Joel S. Baden is professor of Hebrew Bible at Yale Divinity School. His books include The Composition of the Pentateuch.

"This book brings to light biblical ideas that challenge 'modern natural assumption about infertility.' Required reading for those interested in biblical and/or disability studies."--Choice "[A] provocative and palliative book."--Amy-Jill Levine, Irish Theological Quarterly "The last 90 pages of this elegantly produced book include a wealth of scholarly material as well as the usual subject index. In other words, the text not only draws upon a range of resources perhaps not expected by the title, presented with organization and clarity, making the content accessible to a wide range of readers."--Ann Loades, Theology "Reconceiving Infertility is a valuable contribution to a variety of emerging and established conversations in biblical studies, including those on gender, disability studies, family structures, and childhood."--Laurel Koepf Taylor, Catholic Bible Quarterly

• Preface ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction 1 Chapter 1: The Matriarchs as Models 21 Chapter 2: The Blessing and the Curse 70 Chapter 3: Mother Zion and the Eschaton 103 Chapter 4: The Son of God and the Conception of the New Age 140 Chapter 5: Chastity, Marriage, and Gender in the Christian Family 171 Chapter 6: Barrenness and the Eschaton 200 Conclusion 229 Notes 239 Bibliography 291 Primary Source Index 313 Subject Index 325