Argula: A Woman, A Reformer, A Writer

As we celebrate Reformation in this week, we should be also aware that there were many women involved in the process of reforming churches. Valerie Abraham lists five among the many remarkable women of the Reformation: Marguerite de Navarre (1492-1549) – The Diplomat, Marie Dentiere (1495-1561) – The Lightning Rod, Argula Von Grumbach (1492-1554) – The Debater, Olympia Morata (1526-1555) – The Scholar, Jeanne d’Albert (1528-1572) – The Politician. Here I would highlight on Argula Von Grumbach, a mighty woman of God, who was threatened to have her two fingers amputated to stop her from writing. Writing has always influenced people living in all centuries and it a threatening tool. The pen is mightier than a sword! Argula became the first protestant woman writer and she used it as a reforming tool.

Argula Von Grumbach was born in 1492 in Bavaria in the Reformation Era which saw the “Rediscovery of Scripture” through Sola Scripture (Scripture Alone). Despite the warning from anti-reformers, her parents encouraged her to read and study the Bible. In 1517, in the year in which Luther hammered his ninety-five thesis on the church door in Wittenburg, Argula married Friedrich with whom she had four children. Friedrich died in 1530. But no situation could deter Argula in her stint with Reformation leaders. She encouraged the nobility of her native Bavaria to take on the ideas of the Reformers. She also travelled extensively for this cause. In doing so Argula broke a number of taboos. She assumed a public role, which was unheard of for a woman of her time.

She was a theological writer and exegete of Scripture. She promoted the cause of Reformation through writing of pamphlets. She read Scripture for aspects of both ecclesial and social lives.  She argued strongly for the independence of the church from secular authority when it came to spiritual matters such as the understanding of the Scripture. She understood herself as called and led by the Spirit of God to read and understand the Scriptures. She was a prophetess in her calling!

Argula had the audacity to address the university leaders of the day. Her wisdom, her logic and her use of Scriptures was stunning. She boldly spoke up for the supremacy of Scriptures and priesthood of all believers including women. Reformer Balthasar said about her: Argula, a pious woman knows the divine Word better than clergy, like Deborah and Huldah in the Old Testament, and the daughters of Philip in the New Testament.

I hope and believe that the present state of church worldwide will be reformed when women like Argula and men like Luther rise and stand for the Scriptures, for its rightful interpretation, and use their writings to impact the world that is so small these days using technology and by all modern means!

Source: Women in Church and Society, Compiled by Zubeno Kithan