In this short blog post (less than 400 words), I address persistent and common misconceptions about Christian egalitarianism or mutualism.
John 15:2a is usually understood as being about unproductive branches being removed, but some propose a new way of interpreting this phrase.
In this article, I provide an overview of how Paul uses the word kephalē (“head”) in his letters, and I give a brief note on each verse that contains the word.
In this blog post, I give a brief overview of the Greek and Hebrew words used in the Bible for divorce.
What if Malachi 2:16 isn’t a general statement on divorce but about a priest named Manasseh who divorced his first wife in around 350 BCE? It’s likely.
Jesus used hyperbole in his Sermon on the Mount, especially in Matt 5:17-48 and perhaps also in the phrase “makes her an adulterer.”
Wayne Grudem now accepts that abuse is a valid reason for divorce. This is good news for some but Grudem’s approach is problematic.
At a time when women were often regarded as odd and inferior by men and were excluded from many aspects of society, Jesus included women, taught them, and accepted their ministry.
This post is an excerpt from a talk I gave at a camp for high-school girls. It’s about understanding and accepting our mission as agents of Jesus.
Does Paul’s teaching on divorce in 1 Corinthians 7 allow for an abused spouse to leave their abuser? What is the context of his words in this passage?
What do the New Testament and other early Christian and Jewish documents say about meekness and gentleness? (cf. 1 Peter 3:4)
In Luke 14:25-27, Jesus told his disciples have to hate their father & mother, wife & children, brothers & sisters. Was Jesus speaking to only men here?
What is the context of Jesus’ words on divorce with the Pharisees? Did he teach that all second marriages, with a former spouse still living, are adulterous? Probably not.
Here are some better translations of Malachi 2:16 that faithfully reflect the Hebrew grammar and do not have God saying, “I hate divorce.”
In this 8 minute video, Danny Zacharias addresses some misunderstandings and shortcomings of our abbreviated Communion and Eucharist celebrations.
John Piper displays a lack of propriety and wisdom in his comments on Tozer’s widow. His words are repeated a few times on The Gospel Coalition’s website. #emotionalblackmail
One subject that I keep mulling over is what it means to be a leader and have authority in the church. Did Jesus commission his first disciples to be leaders? What was their job description?
Here is a link to one of the best articles I have ever read on so-called ‘biblical womanhood’. In this article Jenny Rae Armstrong writes that “the privileged frivolities of Western homemaking” have nothing to do with the gospel of Jesus.
In the 1st century, Communion was a way for Christians to express their solidarity as a group of Jesus-followers in an often hostile world. It is still a way we can show solidarity with our fellow Christians who are being persecuted.
How can we be like the wise man who built a strong, unshakeable house on a secure foundation in Luke 6?
In Luke’s Gospel, some material is presented using male-female pairs to highlight the full and equal inclusion of women and men in God’s new covenant and community.
Grace has sometimes been confused or conflated with the concept of mercy, but they are not the same thing. Read more about the power of grace that God gives us.
Jesus’s teachings in Matthew’s gospel show that he promoted the social values of humility and equality: the humble are exalted, the lowly are the greatest, and the last are first.
Gal. 3:28 isn’t only referring to our identity/ status before God. It’s also about our identity/ status in the Christian community (the church).
In this post I link to a video where Wade Burleson explains that there is no Greek word for “over” in the verses about church leaders in Hebrews chapter 13.
Carolyn Custis James writes that it’s important for women to be included as equals in ministry: “The high price of the missing female perspective is incalculable.”
In 1 Corinthians 16:15-18 Paul mentions Stephanas and his colleagues. There are a few lessons about Christian service and submission that can be gleaned here.
We don’t need to be fearful of God’s Presence. We can come to him openly and honestly, assured of salvation and our relationship with him.
In this article, I look at Paul’s statements of equality and unity in ministry from 1 Corinthians chapter 12, including his instruction to give more honour to those lacking it.
Abigail was a smart, strong, prophetic woman who wisely intervened between two rash and angry men.
Christians have been waiting almost 2000 years for Jesus to return to earth. But what if Jesus is waiting for us? Is he waiting for us to bring shalom?
A visit to a beautiful chapel near Rotarua (in New Zealand) highlighted to me that followers of Jesus are not separated, excluded, or prohibited from God’s holy presence. Rather, we are welcome and invited to draw near.
The book of Acts is a testament of the Holy Spirit’s roles as the great energiser and equaliser in the first decades of the church. The Spirit continues to foster equality and my hope is that I am working with him.
Rahab in the Old Testament, and Lydia in the New, are separated by 1000s of years and 1000s of miles, yet there are intriguing similarities between the two women.
This post by Dale Fincher looks at our value and worth; and how some of us don’t recognise how and why we are valuable. We may be unworthy but we’re not worthless.
Was Jesus poor? A few verses in the Gospels indicate that Jesus was not as poor as I have previously been led to believe.
Jesus invites people to “follow” him over 20 times in the Gospels. In this article, I look into the Greek word for “follow” (akoloutheō.)
Was the declaration of “Peace on Earth” sung by the heavenly host for everyone? Where is this peace the angels sang about? Here is my Christmas plea.
Christians shouldn’t dress in a sexually provocative way, but this wasn’t Paul’s meaning in his instructions for modest dress in 1 Timothy 2:9.
Paul wanted equality for all Christians and he wrote about this in his letters. In some verses, he even uses the word “equality.”
Do we place our sins and troubles at the metaphorical “foot of the cross”? Or do we hand them over to God the Father through the real, resurrected, and exalted Jesus Christ?
Why aren’t the biblical concepts of wifely submission and submission to governing authorities given equal emphasis in the church?
Even though a Canaanite woman was crying out for help, Jesus didn’t say a word. Why was Jesus silent? And why does God sometimes seem silent and remote?
Ever heard of the theological concept of “nous”? I decided to write a few lines about it.
A few times in school, I received the annual Most Improved award. A Most Improved award from Jesus would be an honour and a testament to his transforming work.
“Come to me all you who are exhausted and overburdened …” This is a short commentary about taking on Jesus’ yoke and finding spiritual rest and refreshment.
Jesus and Paul both spoke about rewards for those who faithfully serve God and his people. What we are doing now has a direct bearing on our future, eternal life.
God’s transcendent and truly awesome nature warrants reverence and wonder. God working within us should inspire fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
God doesn’t want us to be content with a lack lustre Christianity. He wants us to be partakers of his divine nature (2 Pet. 1:3-4) and live lives enriched and empowered by the fullness of Christ.
The first year or two of marriage can be bewildering, disappointing, and even painful, for some newlyweds. I offer this advice in the hope that it may prevent some conflict and heartache.
Would you like to support my ministry of encouraging mutuality and equality between men and women in the church and in marriage?
© 2022 Marg Mowczko