Our class just finished studying Scapegoats: The Gospel through the Eyes of Victims by Jennifer Garcia Bashaw. It took us about six months to get through this thought-provoking book, and it was well worth the time! I’m not always sure of the pace we’ll go through a new book, and for Scapegoats, our discussions were so rich, we moved along at a little less than a chapter per session.
The book came highly recommended by several online sources with the caveat that its target audience might be more for clergy than laity. However, our class full of non-clergy found the material very approachable, so don’t let that deter you.
Bashaw covers the historical scapegoating of women, infirm, poor, and outsiders, including that done by both society and the church. Her coverage of women as scapegoats understandably touched a strong emotional nerve with many female class members. It also provided an opportunity for male class members to be more understanding and sympathetic to the historic and current mistreatment of women.
The real epiphany here comes with her thoughts on Jesus. Not only does she highlight his treatment and elevation of those who have been scapegoated, but she proposes an alternate way of looking at Jesus’s sacrifice for us. It’s worth the read.
An added bonus was that Dr. Bashaw lives in our general vicinity and agreed to attend class early on in our study and at our final session. That was such a treat, and her in-person insight added to the positive impression the book made on all of us.
You’ll find my lesson plans for Scapegoats below. I’d love to hear your impressions in the comments.