Jesus used hyperbole in his Sermon on the Mount, especially in Matt 5:17-48. We need to be aware of this rhetoric when interpreting his teaching on divorce.
Wayne Grudem has changed his mind from thinking that only adultery and desertion were permissible reasons for divorce to now accepting that abuse is also a permissible reason. 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 was interested in the lives of women. He included them, taught them, and accepted their ministry.
This post is an excerpt from a talk I gave in Melbourne at a camp for high-school girls about understanding and accepting our mission as agents of Jesus.
Someone recently asked me about Paul’s teaching on divorce in 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 and whether it allows for an abused spouse to leave their abuser. Here’s my response with some context to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 7.
In this post, I show that the New Testament does not teach that a gentle and quiet spirit is an especially feminine virtue (cf. 1 Peter 3:4).
In Luke 14:25-27 Jesus said that his disciples have to hate their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters. A reader asks, “Was Jesus speaking to only men here?”
Churches that misunderstand Jesus’ teaching on divorce increase the suffering and scandal of divorced members. What is the context of Jesus’ teaching on divorce? Did he teach that all second marriages, with a former spouse still living, are adulterous? I argue from scripture that he didn’t.
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.
In this post, I express my concern about John Piper’s lack of propriety and wisdom in comments where he references Tozer’s widow. This quotation is posted several times on The Gospel Coalition’s website.
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 church 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.
Back in the first century, Communion was a way for the early Christians to express their solidarity as a group of Jesus-followers in an often hostile world. The Lord’s Supper is still a way we can show our solidarity with our fellow Jesus-followers 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?
The author of Luke’s Gospel often presents material using male-female pairs to highlight the full and equal inclusion of women and men in God’s new covenant and community.
The concept of grace has sometimes become confused or conflated with the concept of mercy, but the two are not the same. Read more about the power of grace which God gives us through Jesus and his Spirit.
Jesus’ teaching on leadership and community in Matthew’s gospel shows that Jesus promoted the social values of humility and equality. In Jesus’ kingdom, the humble are exalted, the lowly are the greatest, and the last are first.
Is Galatians 3:28 only referring to our identity and status before God? Or is it also about our identity and status in the Christian community (i.e. 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.
God does not want us to be timid. He does not want us to hide from his presence. He wants us to come to him openly and honestly, assured of our salvation and confident of our relationship with him.
Mary and Martha of Bethany are well-known Bible figures whose characters are often polarized in the retelling of their story. What is the background of these women, their age, marital status, level of wealth?
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 woman who helped her husband by going against his wishes. She is one of many prophetic women who God used for his purposes.
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?
On my recent trip to New Zealand I visited a chapel that had been richly decorated by Maori artisans. The altar had three Maori words boldy written across the front: TAPU, TAPU, TAPU. I asked a New Zealander if tapu might mean holy. She replied “yes”, but she told me that more specifically it means sacred or prohibited. Her answer got me thinking about the meaning of holiness in relation to God.
In the earliest days of Christianity, the Holy Spirit’s presence was both a great energiser and equaliser. The Holy Spirit continues to foster equality, and my hope is that I am working with, and not against, 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.
Instead of spending my time trying to understand hell (Gehenna), I am still trying to get my head around some of the amazing realities of what it is to be a redeemed child of God.
Was Jesus poor? A few verses in the Gospels indicate that Jesus was not as poor as I have previously been led to believe.
The gospels contain over 20 references where Jesus personally invited people to follow him. The Greek word for “follow” is akoloutheō. What does this word mean?
The Messiah, the promised Saviour, had come into the world. Here was good news for everyone (Luke 2:10). But was the declaration of “Peace on Earth” by the heavenly host for everyone? (Luke 2:14) Where is this peace?
It’s important for Christians not to dress in a sexually provocative way, but this was not 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 equality was implied. In other verses the concept of equality was clearly stated. Equality was Paul’s goal (2 Corinthians 8:14, NIV 2011).
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?
Do the concepts of wifely submission to husbands and the submission to governing authorities require that Christians put up with harmful people, practices, and policies? According to some Christians, the answers are “yes” for wives and “no” for citizens.
Matthew records the account of a Canaanite woman crying out for help, but Jesus doesn’t say a word (Matt.15:21-28). Why was Jesus silent? And why, like Jesus in this story, does God sometimes seem silent and remote to us?
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 and I will give you rest.” 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.
When we entrust our lives to Jesus, our eternal life begins. Our salvation is a done deal, or so it would seem. Is it really a case of instant christianity?
This essay takes a close look at James 2:14-26 and explores the link between genuine Christian faith and compassionate, ethical deeds.
Genuine faith in Jesus motivates our entire being. It moves our emotions, engages our mind, involves making decisions, and inspires our actions.
Would you like to support my ministry of encouraging mutuality and equality between men and women in the church and in marriage?
© 2021 Marg Mowczko