The Prostitute Preacher
March 28, 2007
I’m currently doing research into a somewhat forgotten 12th century sect called the Waldensians, who are quickly becoming my favorite heresy (ask me to compare them with the Franciscans sometime). Basically, these guys were anathematized and excommunicated for believing and teaching that a) to follow Jesus means radical solidarity with the poor, b) lay people should be empowered to preach and to serve without asking permission of the institutional church, and c) women should be allowed to preach and hear confessions alongside men. That was pretty much all they stood for. They weren’t even separatists; they wanted to stay in full communion with the church and even at the height of their power they still went to their local parish priests for Eucharists, baptisms, masses, etc.
I found one fascinating account in “The Prostitute-Preacher: Patterns of Polemic against Medieval Waldensian Women Preachers” by Beverly Maybe Keinzle. She recounts a story of two women who were reprimanded by their local bishop for preaching in the French city of Clermont. According to Geoffroy of Auxerre, by preaching, these women were acting with such impropriety that they could only be likened to prostitutes. After explaining at length why women should be silent and be satisfied to ask questions of their husbands in private, he busts out this gem:
Who has brought Jezebel back to life, a young woman after 1,000 years, so that she may run through the streets and squares like a prostitute preacher?
Now the Jezebel to whom he’s referring is not the villain of Shakespearean proportions from 1 Kings; this Jezebel was an early church leader in Thyatira – a prophetess, in fact. The author of the book of Revelation has a pretty big bone to pick with her, although it’s not clear whether that’s because she’s “calling herself a prophet,” because she’s “teaching,” or because she is “beguiling servants to practice fornication.” Whatever the case, when I compare the depiction of Thyatira against the modern-day churches which have so misappropriated the book of Revelation, I think I’d rather be in Thyatira.
Geoffroy ends his tirade by suggesting that these women should become more like the silent Mary, mother of Jesus, “who bore many things in her heart but uttered few with her lips.” Blech. Nothing against St Mary but personally, I’d love to see the sex worker community adopt Jezebel as an icon the same way that black feminists have adopted Hagar.
9 Responses to “The Prostitute Preacher”
Hey, what do you expect? From the Church that gave you preacher apologists for slavery at the time of the American Civil War; the Church that snuggles up to the likes of Archbishop Peter Akinola(Nigeria) to ” honor ” him so he can trash it… the beauty of it all is when I was an early morning greeter at the Cathedral and people would tell me ” it’s beautiful here, but I just don’t like organized religion ” I would declaim loudly that this was their church…. we are more disorganized than any of them…. maybe that’s why I lost the job.
By hal weiner on Mar 29, 2007
I am actually a Waldensian theologian and ordained minister from Italy (but living in the US), and self-defining as woman, so I was very glad to read your posting and learn of your interest in the Waldensians. I feel honored you mentioned the Waldensians on this site. From what I read Transmission is doing great work! If I still lived in NYC I would certainly visit your community.
By Gabriella Lettini on Mar 29, 2007
Yay! I knew that Waldensians still existed, but it’s really cool to know that one of them is reading our blog. My interest got piqued as I was doing research for a paper entitled: “Why After Thee? Poverty, Preaching, and Politics of the early Franciscans and Waldensians.” Basically, I was trying to figure out why St Francis became Christianity’s most beloved saint while John Valdes is largely forgotten; it’s considering how startlingly similar their original movements were.
But that aside, if you’re ever back in NYC we’d love to have you stop by. You used to teach at Union, right? I’m currently a student there and my collaborator, Bowie, is a graduate. Let us know if you’re ever in town!
Wishing you the best~
isaac
By Isaac on Mar 29, 2007
Hi Isaac! You are raising very good questions! Did ask dean Cameron about any of them, since he is an expert on the Waldensians? I have some theories as well…Warm greetings to Bowie, I worked with her at UTS, she is astounding. I will be at Union for the Poverty Truth Commssion on April 13 and staying over the weekend, I hope we can connect and maybe I get to visit your community. With every good wish, Gabriella
By Gabriella Lettini on Mar 30, 2007
I did ask Dean Cameron about them, although we haven’t had a chance to discuss them yet. When I began the project, I didn’t realize that he had done his dissertation on the Waldensians, nor did I realize that many of the sources I turned up would have been written by him. It was a bit intimidating.
In any case, if you’re interested, I’ll throw itup here. I’m sure the last thing you need write now is one more paper to read, but I really enjoyed researching it and would enjoy hearing your thoughts on the subject.
The paper is here: http://www.transmissioning.org/whyafterthee.html
By Isaac on Mar 31, 2007
OMG. I’ve been reading about this in a book by Sylvia Federici. “Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation”
There is a lot in here about the Church, about the witch-hunts, and about prostitutes.
She talks about the heresies…an eye-opener for me. Maybe it’s old hat for you guys but I didn’t know about these sects. She refers to Waldenses rather than Waldensians. Same thing, I suppose? Her book is very Marxist btw, which I am not, but don’t let that stop you. The writing is compelling and intense.
She also talks about the punishments prostitutes had to endure in the later part of the European Middle Ages, how this tied in with depriving women of property rights and other rights enjoyed before the period 1400-1600s. Well, she’s a fascinating thinker and writer. Check out her book.
By Tracy Quan on Apr 20, 2007
I think I will check it out! I don’t know which makes me sadder, a) that the church did such horrible things to prostitutes or b) that the church labeled female preachers “prostitutes” because it was the worst insult they could think of.
I wouldn’t say that the Waldensians are old hat for anyone; I’m really impressed you’ve heard of them! I might start a list of my favorite heresies – largely forgotten groups of people who were persecuted for believing (and doing) some really great things. Maybe someday Transmission will be branded as heretics… =)
And yeah, the Waldenses and the Waldensians are the same group of people. =)
By Isaac on Apr 20, 2007
What’s worse? Well, maybe the real issue is which comes first, which needs solving. The (a) is what leads to (b) I suppose. But you could also say the Waldies were persecuted because they threatened the political power/coffers/authority of the old church. And so, labels like “whore” were a tool to go after people. Is it really about the hatred of whores? Or about the desire to retain power?
Sylvia Federici points out that many of the worst punishments against prostitutes and witches came from SECULAR COURTS — churches were not innocent, but nor were they alone. And the stepped up persecution was an attempt to centralize state authority. So much for the healing (magical?) qualities of the Secular. Plus, for a long time the church was pretty tolerant of prostitution, it was a revenue producer. In fact, tolerance and persecution can BOTH be revenue producers… right? So why do some regimes/churches veer one way or the other? Is that the question?
The Waldensians are new to me actually! I reccomend that you get her book direct from the publisher, as they are a small press & worth supporting:
http://bookstore.autonomedia.org/
“Caliban & the Witch” is #5 on their bestsellers, it is definitely a good read. And ever so timely.
By Tracy Quan on Apr 22, 2007
Interesting look at a broader subject than most imagine. From Antioch to Mysia(Monatist)circa.150A.D.; the Novations of Rome 250 A.D. The Donatist of Carthage 311 A.D.the expansion of the word of God into southern Europe and / Northern Italy the Paterines of 945, the Waldensians in Lyons, France 1150 A.D, the Anna Baptist (western Europe) 1525 Wycliffe’s Lollards (the barefoot preachers of the 14th century) all bible belivers before the reformation of Martin Luther. All had their theological difficulties, yet one major common platform, the Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon as given in Revelations and that torture and death is preferable to embracing popery’ Want to read a book on why a “church” would so fervently attack a people telling the world about Jesus, read, Fox’s Book Of Martyrs or The Two Babylon”s by Alexander Hyslop.
prostitution takes on a much deeper and more sinister meaning to those who believe the scripture to be the word of God, it denotes that you have walked away from Christ to embrace or marry, if you will, another god. Yea let God be true but every man a liar. The every day run of the mill Christian can read 5th grade English and the book says one mediator
between God and man the man CHRIST JESUS (emphasis added) no pope, no saint, no mother or Queen of Heaven, CHRIST JESUS.
ISSAC, IF YOU THINK ME TO BE A ZAELOT, THANK YOU, I only ask after studying the Bible, are you? And if not why not? Least all your seeking be in vain.
respectfully,
donny kirkland 2/12/08
By Donny on Feb 12, 2008