Influenced by the patriarchy of Roman culture and ancient Greek philosophy, church leaders in the 3rd and 4th centuries began to translate and interpret the Bible with a systematic bias against women. This bias was carried over into the Protestant Reformation, and it continues to influence how the Bible is read and understood today. This workbook was written to help readers identify and remove patriarchal bias from Bible translation and commentary. As this bias is removed, it will become clear that far from being the will of God, patriarchy is a human tradition rooted in prejudice. This workbook also focuses on helping women to recover from the harmful effects of patriarchy. To help with the recovery process, the following topics are explored: • overcoming the lies of shame • suffering • the grief process • patriarchy and domestic abuse • rejecting patriarchal stereotypes • managing triggers • setting boundaries • freedom from codependence • healthy egalitarian relationships • communication and problem-solving • overcoming negative patterns in relationships • living in balance. Women are encouraged to be empowered by God to bring healing and freedom to the world in Jesus’ name. "What if you could read the same Bible verses that Patriarchal teachers have used to subjugate and control women in their original language and context ? That's exactly what Helga and Bob do in this workbook. They address every single passage in Scripture that is used in a prejudiced and biased way against women, and they teach you what God REALLY wrote in the original language along with the incredibly interesting history and culture behind the passage. It's eye-opening. And when the workbook promises to set you free from the oppression of patriarchy, it delivers . For me, learning the truth about this one issue took care of so many confusing questions I had about the Bible. What used to appear to be contradictory now became beautiful and seamless truths that made sense on every level. God's Word says the Truth sets us FREE. Suddenly I understood what that really means!" (emotionalabusesurvivor.com) Bible passages that have been overlooked, misinterpreted or altered in translation to make patriarchy (the rule of men) appear to be "the will of God" include the following: Genesis chapters 1, 2, 3, 21 and 24 Judges chapters 2, 4, 5, 19 and 20 Isaiah chapter 3 Joel chapter 2 Ezekiel chapter 34 Zechariah chapter 5 Matthew chapters 10, 20, 23 and 28 Luke chapters 13 and 24 John chapter 13 Acts chapters 1, 2, 11, 18, 19 and 28 Romans chapters 1 and 16 1 Corinthians chapters 1, 3, 7, 10, 11 and 14 2 Corinthians chapter 3 Ephesians chapters 3 and 5 Colossians chapter 3 Philippians chapters 1, 2 and 4 1 Timothy chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 2 Timothy chapter 2 Titus chapter 2 Galatians chapters 2, 3 and 5 1 Peter chapters 2 and 3 The first section of the workbook removes patriarchal bias from Bible translation and commentary, highlighting the meaning of all of these passages in their original languages and contexts. The second section of the workbook focuses on helping women recover from the harmful impact of patriarchal traditions. Helga and Bob Edwards have been married since 1988. They have been Therapists and Public speakers since 1996. Both have Bachelor's degrees in Religious Education and Social Development Studies, as well as Master's degrees in Social Work. In 2013, they each received the Delta Epsilon Chi Award for Intellectual Achievement, Christian Character and Leadership Ability, from the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Their hope is to use the gifts and training that God has given them to help people experience freedom and wholeness in their lives and relationships. Feel free to visit their website at awakedeborah.com.