Exploring the biblical theology of Christian egalitarianism

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This mystery is great. Ephesians 5:32

A Note on the Mystery in Ephesians 5:31-32

What is the mystery in Eph 5:32? Here’s my quick take on “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”

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1 Corinthians 14 meaning

The Structure and Language of 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

I’ve highlighted the structure and vocabulary of 1 Cor. 14:26-40 which contains verses 33-34, “Women should be silent in the churches …”

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Sandra Glahn, Artemis, fertility goddess, mother goddess

Sandra Glahn Debunks Myths About Artemis

The idea that Artemis of Ephesus was a fertilty or mother goddess is often repeated. Using ancient evidence, Sandra Glahn challenges these ideas, and others, in her book Nobody’s Mother.

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Adam and Eve 1 Timothy 2

“Paraclete” in Ancient Secular, Jewish, and Christian Texts

Was paraclete a military term as some claim? I look at ancient Greek texts to see how the word was used outside and within the New Testament.

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Mary the Mother of James and Joseph

The Other Mary: Mother of James and Joseph

Mary the mother of James and Joseph/ Joses, also known as “the other Mary,” is mentioned 7 times in the Synoptic Gospels. What do we know about her?

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Sandra Glahn

Sandra Glahn on the Decline of Women in Public Ministry

Sandra Glahn gives 4 reasons in her book “Nobody’s Mother” for why there was a decline of women in public ministry in the centuries following Pentecost.

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All the marys in the New Testament. The meaning of Mary, Maria, Miriam

Miriam, Maria, Mariamne, and Mary in the Bible

I look at all the Miriams, Marias, and Marys in the Bible (there are 7 in the NT), and at Mariamne in Josephus, and discuss what their names might mean.

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saved through childbearing meaning 1 Tim 2:15

What does “saved through childbearing” (1 Tim. 2:15) mean?

There are various interpretations of “she will saved through childbearing” put forward by scholars, but in this article, I explain how I understand the phrase.

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Publia deaconess Antioch Ephrem Syria

Publia and her Plucky Choir of Virgins (AD 360s)

In this post, I quote a story from Theodoret of Cyrrhus’s Church History about Publia, a daring deaconess who lived in Antioch in the 360s, and her brave choir.

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deaconess Theodoret of Cyrrhus

A Female Teacher and Deacon in Antioch (AD 360s)

In Theodoret of Cyrrhus’s Church History there is an interesting story of a brave woman who was a teacher and deacon in Antioch in the early 360s.

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women elders in ancient church manuals didascalia women teachers

A Christian Lady Teacher in Egypt in the 300s AD

In this blog post, I look at a papyrus letter, written between Christians in the early 300s AD, which plainly mentions a woman teacher (kyrian tēn didaskalon).

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kenegdo Genesis 2 suitable helper submit submission headship

Submission in 1 Corinthians 15:28 and in Marriage

The Son’s submission to God the Father in 1 Cor. 15:28 should not inform our understanding of submission in marriage. Here’s why.

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eshet chayil

Revisiting Eshet Chayil (“Woman of Valour”)

I look at the Hebrew word chayil, used in Proverbs 31:10 for an eshet chayil, and at the Greek word andreia (“courageous”), used to describe some Bible and early Christian women.

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New Testament women

Women and Men and Ministry in First-Century Churches (3)

This is the 3rd post taken from my chapter in “Co-workers and Co-leaders.” I look here at some of the men and women who were involved in difficult and dangerous ministries.

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Paul's coworkers, deacons, Phoebe, Priscilla, Euodia and Syntyche

Women and Men and Ministry in First-Century Churches (2)

This is the 2nd post taken from my chapter in “Co-workers and Co-leaders.” Paul’s letters show that he ministered alongside women. Women were among his coworkers and were deacons (diakonoi).

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Mary Lydia Female Disciples First Century Church

Women and Men and Ministry in First-Century Churches

This is the 1st of 3 blog posts taken from my chapter in the book “Co-workers and Co-leaders: Women and Men Partnering for God’s Work.” I look here at the women who followed Jesus and the women who hosted house churches.

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“Uncover-Cover” Words in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16

A short discussion on the adjective akatakalyptos and the verb katakalyptō (“cover”) used in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16.

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Berenice Phernophorus, king of the south, Daniel

The Daughter of the King of the South (Daniel 11:6)

In Daniel 11:6 it says that “the daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to seal the agreement.” Who was this daughter? What do we know about her?

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3 Formidable Bible Women with Strange Stories

Rahab, Tamar, and Rizpah were in precarious social situations. They each took matters into their own hands, and the consequences of their daring, unorthodox actions were life-changing.

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1 Timothy 2:12 women pastors

Why 1 Timothy 2:12 shouldn’t be used to ban women ministers

1 Timothy 2:12 (“I do not permit a woman to teach …”) is the only Bible verse that places a restriction on a woman teaching. It shouldn’t be used to ban women ministers.

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head coverings 1 Corinthians

Philip Payne on Hairstyles vs. Head Coverings in Corinth

In his book, The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood, Philip Payne outlines 3 reasons why Paul’s concern in 1 Cor. 11:2–16 was not head coverings for women, but hairstyles.

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