Students hear untold Bible stories

Joe Manuel Rodriguez
Diversity Institute Fellow

03.29.04

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Miriam, who helped her brother Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt, made students at Belmont University stop and think about Women's History Month on Friday.

Sandy Hutchins, an associate professor of English, read excerpts from a book she is writing that explores the life of Miriam during a presentation and offered explanations that sought to provoke students to see biblical women in a different light by using their imaginations.

She also tried to get them to see women like Miriam as a practical part of history.

"I want to be provocative," Hutchins said following her presentation to about 20 people. "What happens at Belmont, most interestingly, is that we don't talk about how such teachings relate to students' lives."

Hutchins lets her writing take her where it will, and through research she was able to learn about the time and the place of Miriam's life.

Miriam was a leader, prophet and artist, but she is most often remembered as a woman who received punishment from God for questioning her brother's actions and authority, Hutchins said.

She believes there is a whole lot more to Miriam's story than what one might actually see in the Bible. Hutchins said her book will try to bring that to life.

"I tried to give voice to a woman that was voiceless," Hutchins said.

She also wanted to add to the stories that she heard as a youngster.

"A Jewish legend is that wherever Miriam walked fountains sprang up," Hutchins said. "This is why the people spoke so highly of her abilities."

During her presentation Friday, Hutchins said her book set out to not necessarily tell her version of Miriam's story, but to tell the story the way Miriam might have described herself.

Students attending the session found it intriguing.

Elizabeth Sawyer Osborn, a senior psychology major, said she enjoyed the presentation, although she expected it to focus more on Miriam's true life.

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