Rape Myths, the Bible, and #MeToo

117 Pages·2019·1.674 MB·English

by  Johanna Stiebert

Rape Myths, the Bible, and
#MeToo
Biblical studies is increasingly interdisciplinary and frequently focuses on
how the Bible is read, received, and represented in the contemporary
world, including in politics, news media, and popular culture. Rape
Myths, the Bible, and #MeToo illustrates this with particular and critical
assessment of #MeToo and its rapid and global impact. Rape myths –
in particular the myth that rape victims are complicit in the violence
they encounter, which consequently renders sexual violence ‘not so
bad’ – are examined both with regard to the current backlash to
#MeToo and to biblical texts that undermine the violence perpetrated
by rape. This includes aggressive media attacks on the accusers of
powerful men, as well as depictions of biblical rape victims such as
Dinah (Genesis 34), Bathsheba, and Tamar (2 Samuel 11–13). Biblical
studies channels and expresses wider cultural and political mani-
festations. This exemplifies that the influence of ancient texts is abiding
and the study of the past cutting edge.
Johanna Stiebert is Professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of
Leeds, UK. Her two most recent monographs are Fathers and Daughters
in the Hebrew Bible (2013) and First- Degree Incest and the Hebrew Bible
(2016). She is co- director of The Shiloh Project.
Rape Culture, Religion and the Bible
Series Editors:
Katie Edwards
University of Sheffield, UK
Caroline Anne Blyth
University of Auckland, New Zealand
Johanna Stiebert
University of Leeds, UK
Rape Myths, the Bible, and #MeToo
Johanna Stiebert
For more information about this series, please visit: www.
routledge.com/Rape-C ulture-Religion-a nd-the-B ible/book-s eries/RCRB
Rape Myths, the Bible, and
#MeToo
Johanna Stiebert
First published 2020
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2020 Johanna Stiebert
The right of Johanna Stiebert to be identified as author of this
work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77
and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be
trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for
identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing- in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging- in-Publication Data
Names: Stiebert, Johanna, author.
Title: Rape myths, the Bible and #MeToo / Johanna Stiebert.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York : Routledge, 2020. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019035238 (print) | LCCN 2019035239
(ebook) | ISBN 9780367245184 (hardback) | ISBN
9780429282966 (ebook) | ISBN 9781000751826 (adobe pdf) |
ISBN 9781000752083 (epub) | ISBN 9781000751956 (mobi)
Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Old Testament–Criticism,
interpretation, etc. | Rape in the Bible. | Victims in the Bible. |
Rape–Religious aspects–Christianity. | Rape–Public opinion. |
Rape in mass media.
Classification: LCC BS1199.R27 S75 2020 (print) | LCC
BS1199.R27 (ebook) | DDC 220.8/3641532–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019035238
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019035239
ISBN: 978-0-367-24518-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-429-28296-6 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo
by Wearset Ltd, Boldon, Tyne and Wear
This book is for my inspirational sister Viki (aka Schnutzi) who
has always looked out for me

Contents
Acknowledgements viii
Introduction: at the outset 1
1 The Bible and #MeToo 14
2 Rape culture, rape myths, and the Bible 44
In conclusion 84
Bibliography 87
Index of authors and subjects 102
Index of biblical passages 106
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the Arts and Humanities Research Council and
the Global Challenges Research Fund for providing generous financial
support for ongoing projects aimed at actively resisting gender- based
violence in the UK, southern Africa, and New Zealand. Other funding
for smaller subsidiary projects that have also informed and inspired this
book has come from the White Rose Consortium, the Worldwide
Universities Network, and the British Academy.
At the source of this volume and of the series to which it belongs is
the Shiloh Project. This project was initiated in early 2017 to explore
the intersections of rape culture, religion, and the Bible. The project
promotes activism for gender justice, interdisciplinary research, and art-
istic expression, collaboration, and the sharing of resources. It has
brought me into what I can best describe as purposeful friendship with
my wonderful co- directors and co- editors, Caroline and Katie.
Working with both of you has been the highlight of my many years in
universities. The Shiloh Project has also brought us into collaboration
with extraordinary individuals and organisations from all over the
world. A shout out especially to Legabibo of Botswana and the Talitha
Qumi Institute of Ghana.
I also want to thank my colleagues at the University of Leeds and my
fabulous family. While I take full responsibility for any errors or weak-
nesses in this volume, I could not have done this without you. Especial
thanks go to ‘Drummond and Desmond’ (you know who you are).
Introduction
At the outset
This book focuses on biblical texts that depict sexual violence and on
how contemporary conversations about sexual violence, sexual har-
assment, and #MeToo can be engaged when reading and interpreting
these texts. Particular focus is placed on the feature and function of
rape myths: that is, stereotyped and prejudicial falsehoods about rape,
rapists, and rape victims,1 which help to underpin rape culture. In
terms of approach, therefore, the book adopts a bifocal reading
strategy, with one eye on ancient texts and the other on con-
temporary contexts, particularly popular media contexts. This
approach has become increasingly popular in biblical studies over
recent decades.
The book is in two main parts. Following some caveats and after
delineating my use of the word ‘rape’, the first chapter examines two
main thematic components: (1) the #MeToo movement and its abiding
influence; and (2) depictions of sexual violence in biblical texts.
The second chapter then explores how the two elements can be
brought together. It includes an overview of the concepts of rape
culture and rape myth and details how these concepts function in the
present, as well as with reference to texts in the Bible.
The conclusion summarizes what can be gained through a nuanced
reading of biblical texts alongside contemporary events and publications
that engage with #MeToo. Such a reading represents a form of acutely
timely feminist advocacy, because understanding and then detoxifying
the power dynamics in, and influence of, biblical texts plays a part in
dismantling rape cultures.
Rape
Because much of the discussion that follows is about sexual violence –
most centrally, rape – it is important, at the outset, if only briefly, to