In the Image of God (Gen 1:26-28) in a Nutshell
Genesis 1:26-28 tells us that male and female humans are made in the image and likeness 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.
1 Timothy 2:12 in a Nutshell
In this short article (500 words), I put forward the case that 1 Timothy 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 or minister.
Bible women who weren’t “keepers at home”
Some Christians believe God’s ideal is that women should be “keepers at home.” They believe women should be busy in their own homes and stay out of the workforce and away from leadership ministries in the church. Here’s a list of respected Bible women that refutes these ideas.
Are Men Physically Superior to Women?
I’ve been getting emails lately from Christian women who truly believe men are physically superior to women. The hurt and confusion in these emails is profound. Here’s part of an email exchange I’ve had with a young woman named Jade.
Romans 14 and the Divisive Issue of Women Pastors
I read Romans chapter 14 today and saw that Paul’s message here has relevance to the issue of women ministers, an issue that continues to cause debate and division in some sectors of the church.
“Holding Up Half the Sky” by Graham Joseph Hill
I was honoured to write a foreword to Graham Hill’s book “Holding Up Half the Sky” where he presents a compelling biblical case for women leading and teaching in the church. I’ve included the foreword in this post.
The Greek Word ‘Praus’ and Meek Warhorses
Is meekness a masculine virtue? How do ancient writers use the Greek word praus (“meek”)? What do ancient writers say about meek warhorses?
Atto of Vercelli on Female Priests/Elders in the Early Church
Atto, bishop of Vercelli in the 900s, saw in church tradition that women had led churches and were presbyters (priests or elders). He did not think this was a bad thing.
Chrysostom on 5 Women Church Leaders in the NT
John Chrysostom (d. 407) praised Priscilla, Phoebe, Euodia, Syntyche, and Junia, and acknowledged that these five women were leading ministers in their churches.
Kenneth Bailey on Women in the New Testament (Videos)
In this post, I share a series of six 30-minute videos where Dr Kenneth Bailey discusses the topic of women in the New Testament. The late Dr Bailey was a scholar of the New Testament in its Middle Eastern context.
Mutual Submission in Ephesians 5:21 and in 1 Peter 5:5
Ephesians 5:21 isn’t the only New Testament verse that encourages mutual submission among Jesus’ followers. 1 Peter 5:5 is another. In this article, I look at the Greek grammar and vocabulary of 1 Peter 5:5.
Hyperbole and Divorce in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:31-32)
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.
Who is “she” who is in Babylon? (1 Peter 5:13)
In this article, I explain why “the co-elect” woman in 1 Peter 5:13 (AKA “she who is in Babylon”) is most likely a woman and not a church.
Esther’s Story (3): Esther in Action
With the Jews in danger, Queen Esther risks her life and exerts her influence and authority. She cannot be mistaken for a sweet passive young woman.
Esther’s Story (2): For Such a Time as This
Young Esther is taken to the harem in the palace and later taken to the king’s bed. What does the Bible reveal about her thoughts and actions?
Esther’s Story (1): Setting the Scene
In this 3-part series, I provide commentary on the book of Esther, focussing on the heroine at the centre. What kind of story is Esther’s story?
“Preaching” words in the NT and the women who preached
When we understand “preaching” words in the way New Testament authors and understood and used these words we see that some New Testament women preached.
What was Adam’s excuse?
Eve’s reason for eating the forbidden fruit was that she was deceived. What was Adam’s excuse? Suzanne McCarthy suggests Adam did give a reason in Genesis 3.
A Critique of Wayne Grudem’s “Grounds for 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.
Andrew Bartlett on “Men and Women in Christ”
Andrew Bartlett tells us about his 2019 book “Men and Women in Christ.” This is an excellent, thoroughly-researched book that is accessible to novices and useful to scholars.
Is Junia well known ‘to’ the apostles?
Were Andronicus and Junia “outstanding/notable among the apostles” (Rom.16:7 KJV, NASB, NIV) or “well known to the apostles” (ESV, NET). Is Junia among the apostles?