What does submission “in everything” mean?
I look at how Paul uses the phrase “in everything” in his letters and at what it means in, “wives submit to your husbands in everything.”
November 12, 2022
28 Comments
Category: All Posts on Equality
5 Inspiring Blog Posts That I Love
Here are five of my all-time favourite blog posts (not written by me), plus a fantastic series. They all critique, in some way, attitudes held by many Christians about the supposed roles of women and men.
October 19, 2022
7 Comments
Common Misconceptions about Christian Egalitarianism
In this short blog post (less than 400 words), I address persistent and common misconceptions about Christian egalitarianism or mutualism.
September 24, 2022
17 Comments
A note on “everything I ever did” (John 4:29)
What did the Samaritan woman mean when she told the folk of Sychar, “Come, see a man who told me ‘everything I ever did'”?
September 7, 2022
12 Comments
The Biblical Basis of Egalitarianism in 500 Words
Here’s a biblical defence for Christian egalitarianism, or mutuality, condensed to 500 words.
August 10, 2022
48 Comments
Is Martha Missing from the Oldest Surviving Text of John 11?
Was Martha initially missing in Papyrus 66, the oldest text of John’s Gospel? Is Mary of Bethany in John 11-12 really Mary Magdalene?
August 2, 2022
27 Comments
An Overview of Paul’s Use of Kephalē (“Head”)
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.
August 1, 2022
44 Comments
Kephalē (“head”) as Metaphor in First-Century Texts
Here are some first-century Greek texts that use the word kephalē (“head”). They show how the word was used in Paul’s day.
July 23, 2022
14 Comments
A Close Look at Colossians 3:19 (Husbands)
Here I discuss Paul’s instructions to husbands in Col. 3:19. I look at this verse within the broader context of Colossians and explore what “bitter” means.
July 10, 2022
12 Comments
A Close Look at Colossians 3:18 (Wives)
Paul’s words to wives in Col. 3:18 contain a phrase that doesn’t occur elsewhere in the New Testament. What does it mean to submit “as is fitting in the Lord”?
July 1, 2022
17 Comments
The Woman on the Scarlet Beast in Revelation 17
Some are disturbed by the female figure in Revelation 17. What does she suggest about John’s attitude to women, or about women in general? Who or what is Babylon the Great?
June 13, 2022
11 Comments
Is the Beloved Disciple in John’s Gospel a Woman?
In this somewhat technical post, I quote the 5 verses in John’s Gospel that mention “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Is the beloved disciple a woman?
June 3, 2022
18 Comments
A Litany for Women Who Carry God’s Grace
Here’s a call and response prayer that thanks God for Bible women who served God and his people with bravery and grace.
May 2, 2022
2 Comments
Comparing the Anointing Stories
Each of the four Gospels contains an account where a woman anoints Jesus with perfume. In this article, I compare these stories. How many times was Jesus anointed?
April 24, 2022
11 Comments
A Note on Divorce Terminology in the Bible
In this blog post, I give a brief overview of the Greek and Hebrew words used in the Bible for divorce.
April 10, 2022
24 Comments
“Brothers and Sisters” (Adelphoi) in Paul’s Letters
The Greek word adelphoi is used over 100 times in Paul’s letters. Is “brothers and sisters” or “siblings” an acceptable translation?
March 25, 2022
37 Comments
Jesus and the Bent-Over Woman (Luke 13:10–17)
In Luke 13:10–17, Jesus sets free a woman who had been disabled for 18 years. Click to see Barbara Schwarz’s painting and to read the story that inspired her artwork.
March 19, 2022
10 Comments
Judith Gundry on the Two Social Contexts of 1 Cor. 11:2–16
Here are a few excerpts from a chapter written by Judith Gundry that are helpful in understanding Paul’s arguments and use of creation in 1 Cor. 11:2-16.
January 31, 2022
16 Comments
Authentein as Bad Behaviour in Ancient Texts
Drawing on ancient texts, I give 3 reasons why there should be a consensus on the general sense of “authentein” as bad bossy behaviour.
January 22, 2022
24 Comments
Rachel Speght Replies to a Misogynist in 1617
Rachel Speght responded to a misogynist in the early 1600s by writing a witty piece that encourages respect for women. It still entertains.
January 7, 2022
8 Comments
Damaris in Athens (Acts 17)
Who was Damaris? What was her social status? What does her name mean? What was her role in the church? Evidence from ancient inscriptions help to answer some of these questions.
December 13, 2021
14 Comments
Woman’s Authority or Subordination in 1 Cor. 11:10?
Paul said in 1 Cor. 11:10 that a woman should have “authority on her head.” Whose authority is it?
November 14, 2021
33 Comments
A Quick Comparison of Genesis 3:16 and Genesis 4:7
Gen 3:16, about Eve, and Gen 4:7, about Cain, both contain the Hebrew words teshuqah (“desire”) and mashal (“rule”). Does 4:7 help us to understand 3:16?
October 20, 2021
24 Comments
Who are the 144,000 and why are they all men?
Who are the 144,000 in Revelation 7 and 14? What do they symbolise? Are women really excluded from this group?
October 13, 2021
7 Comments
Malachi 2:16 and the Priest who Divorced his Wife
What if Malachi 2:16 isn’t a general statement on divorce but is about a priest named Manasseh who divorced his first wife in around 350 BC?
September 29, 2021
13 Comments
Every Female Prophet in the Bible
Here’s a complete list of women identified as prophetesses in the Bible, with a note on each. There was a recognised place for such women in Israel.
September 22, 2021
37 Comments
A note on nature and hairstyles in 1 Cor. 11:14–15
in 1 Cor. 11:14-15, Paul says that nature is a teacher of hair lengths or hairstyles for men and women. What did he mean by “nature”?
September 2, 2021
22 Comments
The Disturbing Story of David’s Ten Concubines
The story of David’s ten concubines, especially when linked with God’s words in 2 Samuel 12:11, is a deeply troubling story. Warning: sexual violence.
August 21, 2021
77 Comments
1 Corinthians 11:2–16, in a Nutshell
In this article, I give a brief overview of how I read 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. This passage includes the phrase, “the head of woman is man.”
August 10, 2021
40 Comments
Salome: Follower of Jesus and Myrrh Bearer
Salome was a follower of Jesus, a witness of his crucifixion and empty tomb. She is mentioned twice in the Bible but many more times in other early church documents.
July 30, 2021
9 Comments
Mutual Submission in Early Christian Texts
Some Christians claim that submission is always to a person in authority. In this article, I quote early church bishops who spoke positively about mutual submission.
June 29, 2021
13 Comments
Beth Allison Barr on (un)Making Biblical Womanhood
Throughout her book, Dr Barr aims to show that complementarianism isn’t the only option for those who believe the Bible is the authoritative Word of God.
June 2, 2021
9 Comments
Beth Allison Barr on the Reformation’s Role in Limiting Women
The Reformation is “a story of loss rather than a story of gain, of increased subordination rather than of liberation.”
May 25, 2021
3 Comments
Beth Allison Barr on Paul and Biblical Womanhood
In her book The Making of Biblical Womanhood, Beth Allison Barr argues that the concept of “biblical womanhood” doesn’t come from the apostle Paul.
May 21, 2021
34 Comments
Mary Magdalene and the Ascension
Mary Magdalene was the herald of Jesus’s resurrection and of his impending ascension. After his resurrection, why did Jesus tell her, “Do not cling to me”?
May 12, 2021
14 Comments
There are Women Pastors in the New Testament
In this article I answer the question, Where in the New Testament does it say women were pastors? There is a biblical case for female pastors.
May 9, 2021
128 Comments
The “Little Women” in 2 Timothy 3:6–7
I’ve seen people express dismay that Paul disparages women in 2 Timothy 3:6–7. Here’s a short note looking at Paul’s words here and at his main concern.
April 19, 2021
7 Comments
Jael (3): Jael, Mary, and Jesus’ Crucifixion
Part 3 looks at what Jael’s story and the accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion have in common, and at why some early and medieval theologians used Jael as a type of Mary the mother of Jesus.
April 6, 2021
7 Comments
Jael (2): Sexual and Maternal Imagery in Jael’s Story
In part 2 I look at the sexual and maternal imagery in Jael’s story, and the deadly determination in her actions. What was motivating her? *This article mentions rape.
March 21, 2021
11 Comments
Jael (1): The Lord will hand over Sisera to a woman
Jael is a popular Bible figure, famous for her brutal act of violence against Israel’s enemy. In part 1 (of 3), I look at her story as recorded in Judges 4.
March 19, 2021
13 Comments
3. The Grammar of Ephesians 5:21-22: 1 Sentence or 2?
Is Ephesians 5:21-22 one sentence or two? What is the best way to punctuate these verses? How do ancient manuscripts treat them?
March 1, 2021
5 Comments
2. The Grammar of Ephesians 5:21-22: A Missing Verb?
Is it significant that there is no “submit” word in Ephesians 5:22 in two of the oldest Greek manuscripts? Did Paul tell wives to submit?
February 20, 2021
8 Comments
1. The Grammar of Ephesians 5:21-22: Participles
In this article, I look at the Greek participles in Ephesians 5:18-21, especially the “submit” participle in verse 21.
February 20, 2021
12 Comments
12+ Christian Theology Blogs that don’t Push Patriarchy
Here are 12 blogs on Christian theology and biblical studies written by evangelical scholars who don’t push a complementarian or patriarchal agenda.
February 4, 2021
12 Comments
Did Miriam the prophetess only minister to women?
Miriam is identified as a prophet and leader in the Bible, but some say her ministry was only to women. Was this the case? What does the Bible say?
December 24, 2020
17 Comments
The Women in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus
Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife are the only women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. Why only these four women?
December 12, 2020
30 Comments
Don Carson and Tim Keller on 1 Timothy 2:12
D.A. Carson and Tim Keller recently had a conversation about 1 Timothy 2:12 posted on YouTube. I was asked about it. Here’s my response.
November 27, 2020
40 Comments
Lois and Eunice’s Faith and Family
Paul honours Lois and Eunice and acknowledges they had been Timothy’s teachers. These women enabled Timothy to face challenges in Ephesus.
November 11, 2020
10 Comments
What does it mean to be made in the “image of God”?
In this article, I briefly explain what I think it means to be made in the image of God and why it doesn’t have much to do with either God’s gender or ours.
October 11, 2020
33 Comments
1 Timothy 2:12, in a Nutshell
In this short article, I sketch the case that 1 Tim. 2:12 says nothing, one way or the other, about whether competent women can be pastors, preachers, priests, elders, or any kind of church leader.
October 3, 2020
22 Comments
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