More Than Background and Bodies

Salome. Mary Magdalene. Bathsheba. Particularly in the Bible Belt of the United States, these names are synonymous with harlot, loose woman, or seductress. Sunday School lessons displayed these women on colorful flannel boards as a lesson to little boys and girls to flee from temptation, avoid evil, and (predominantly for girls) not to dress provocatively. Movies, songs, and plays have all depicted the perils of falling into sin to avoid becoming like these individuals, continuing to propagate their stories into the modern era. However, a biblical reading of these women does not support any of the aforementioned assumptions. These ladies, and numerous others in the Bible, were maligned largely because of artistic renderings that altered popular perception. Artists took liberties with their stories and, in turn, transformed the reputations of women who should have been viewed as victims and overcomers. This article investigates when and where those transformations occurred, how to resolve and redeem these stories, and explores an artist’s responsibility in the pursuit of truth.