Jane Dewar Schaberg (February 20, 1938 – April 17, 2012) was an American biblical scholar who served as Professor of Religious Studies and of Women's Studies at the University of Detroit Mercy from 1977 through 2009.[1][2]

Jane Schaberg
Born
Jane Dewar Schaberg

(1938-02-20)February 20, 1938
DiedApril 17, 2012(2012-04-17) (aged 74)
Academic background
Alma mater
ThesisThe Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (1980)
InfluencesVirginia Woolf
Academic work
Discipline
Sub-disciplineNew Testament studies
School or traditionChristian feminism
InstitutionsUniversity of Detroit Mercy
Notable works
  • The Illegitimacy of Jesus (1987)
  • The Resurrection of Mary Magdalene (2002)

Life

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Born in 1938, Schaberg earned a BA in philosophy from Manhattanville College, an MA in systematic theology from Columbia University, and a PhD in biblical studies from Union Theological Seminary. In 1974 she was elected a member of the Catholic Biblical Association.[3]

Schaberg's publications deal mainly with the New Testament, including a commentary on the New Testament Infancy Narratives, on the Gospel of Luke, and on feminist contributions to historical and literary research. She also wrote poetry although her poetry is not widely published. Her later research was on the traditions and legends associated with the figure of Mary Magdalene, as seen through a feminist lens. Schaberg's sometimes controversial work, especially the 1987 publication of The Illegitimacy of Jesus: A Feminist Theological Interpretation of the Infancy Narratives, has been discussed in Newsweek, Time, The New Yorker, Cross Currents, and the Detroit Free Press.[4] Schaberg's automobile was set on fire in response to this book.[5]

At one time a professed member of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (a religious community of Roman Catholic women), Schaberg renounced her vows while teaching at the University of Detroit Mercy, and in 1984 was one of 97 theologians and religious persons who signed A Catholic Statement on Pluralism and Abortion, calling for religious pluralism and discussion within the Catholic Church regarding the church's position on abortion.[6]

She was chosen for the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2006, she was acknowledged as Professor Emerita of Religious Studies in 2011 following her retirement. She died at her home in Detroit April 17, 2012, at the age of 74 after a long illness.[7][4]

Works

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Thesis

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  • Schaberg, Jane (1970). The God-Forsakenness of Jesus (MA thesis). New York, NY: Columbia University.
  • ——— (1980). The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: the triadic phrase in Matthew 28:19b (PhD thesis). Union Theological Seminary.

Books

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Edited by

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References

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  1. ^ "Jane Schaberg, Feminist Theologian, Has Died". Patheos.com. 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  2. ^ "Jane Schaberg (1938–2012) – Biblical Archaeology Society". ). Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  3. ^ Catholic Biblical Quarterly 36 (1974) 564.
  4. ^ a b "UDM recognizes CLAE faculty excellence". Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2011-09-02.
  5. ^ Sanborn, Lura (6 November 2017). Gender Issues and the Library: Case Studies of Innovative Programs and Resources. McFarland. ISBN 9781476664736.
  6. ^ "Catholic Committee" (PDF). Voices of Change: Risking All In Faith. Sturdy Roots. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  7. ^ Faculty Bio
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