In this compelling book April D. DeConick applies her characteristic interest in marginalized early Christian groups to a topic that has drawn considerable scholarly attention in the past several decades: the study of women, sex, and gender in early Christianity. Holy Misogyny is an accessible and imaginative historical reconstruction of the textual and extratextual conflicts behind early Christian displacement of both 'the female aspect' of deity and women's bodies, identity, and authority.

Justin Glessner, University of British Columbia, Near Eastern Archaeology

In this lucid and logically arranged book, April D. DeConick, professor of Religious Studies at Rice University, makes a presentation of the ways in which women appear or don't appear in the ancient religious record ... DeConick canvasses a broad range of sources and presents complexities that will interest advanced readers and provoke reflection among them ... The relevance of this book to questions of religion and gender is unquestionable.

Mark Masterson, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, Religion and Gender

The book is academically rigorous, but at every point DeConick interprets her data in the light of her intended conclusion. Full documentation and bibliography are included...

Choice Magazine

Despite the fact that the subject is well-known, almost cliché in certain circles, DeConick brings some new information and insights to the table in her analysis...The most important anthropological message in her eye-opening work is that every tradition, including its scriptures (which claim the greatest authenticity and authoritativeness) is diverse and historically constructed.

Anthropology Review Database

Overall, DeConick has a lot of interesting things to say about gender and sexuality in the early church ... I do think her account is appropriately dangerous, and can hopefully jar Christians into action to reverse the long tradition of misogynistic interpretation of Scripture and misogynistic action in the Church.

Englewood Review of Books - Vol. 4 # 17.75

DeConick's research traces the root of the problem beyond he usual interpretations of scripture, theology, and the social structures of the times to something deeper and much more perverse...

ForeWord