Remembering Theosebia of Nyssa (d. 380-385)
Theosebia was the biological and spiritual sister of Gregory of Nyssa. Surviving sources show that she was deeply loved and admired.
Rachel Speght Replies to a Misogynist in 1617
In the early 1600s there was pushback against a rising tide of misogynism in Europe. Rachel Speght, a young Christian woman, responded and used her writing talent to encourage respect for women. Her witty and satirical piece is still entertaining. This short post contains a poem that I think you’ll enjoy.
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.
Woman’s Authority or Subordination in 1 Corinthians 11:10?
Paul said in 1 Cor. 11:10 that a woman should have “authority on her head.” Whose authority is it?
A Quick Comparison of Genesis 3:16 and Genesis 4:7
Genesis 3:16, about Eve, and Genesis 4:7, about Cain, both contain the Hebrew words teshuqah (“desire”) and mashal (“rule”). Does 4:7 help us to understand 3:16?
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?
Malachi 2:16 and the Priest who Divorced his Wife
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.
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.
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”?
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.
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.”
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.
Mutual Submission in Early Christian Writings
Some Christians claim that submission is always to a person in authority. In this article, I quote four prominent early Christian authors who speak positively about mutual submission among Jesus followers.
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.
Beth Allison Barr on the Reformation’s Role in Limiting Women
Chapter 4 of Dr Barr’s book looks at the Reformation and women. It is “a story of loss rather than a story of gain, of increased subordination rather than of liberation.”
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.
Mary Magdalene and the Ascension
Mary Magdalene was the herald of Jesus’s resurrection and also of his impending ascension. Why did Jesus tell her in John 20:17, “Do not cling to me”?
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.
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.
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.
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.