JOURNAL ARTICLE

Liberating Justice: Interpreting Luke's Parable of the Widow and the Judge in Light of Norm Theory and the Experience of Modern Women in Politics.

  • Published In: Feminist Theology: The Journal of the Britain & Ireland School of Feminist Theology, 2025, v. 33, n. 2. P. 167 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Ellison, Lauren 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the parable of the widow and the judge (Luke 18:2-5) through the framework of social norm theory, comparing the widow's role to that of modern female politicians who challenge masculinized political norms. It argues that the judge represents normative male power that seeks to maintain privilege by sanctioning norm violators, while the widow exemplifies agency and resilience by persistently demanding justice despite social sanctions. The widow's successful defiance models how marginalized individuals can disrupt maladaptive social norms and inspire transformative change toward greater justice. This sociological reading highlights the parable as an invitation to resist oppressive power structures rather than solely a lesson on persistent prayer.

Additional Information

  • Source:Feminist Theology: The Journal of the Britain & Ireland School of Feminist Theology. 2025/01, Vol. 33, Issue 2, p167
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Women's Studies and Feminism
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0966-7350
  • DOI:10.1177/09667350241298633
  • Accession Number:182608114
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Feminist Theology: The Journal of the Britain & Ireland School of Feminist Theology is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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