Beth Allison Barr on (un)Making Biblical Womanhood
In this third blog post on Beth Allison Barr’s book The Making of Biblical Womanhood, I quote from her final chapter entitled,” Isn’t it Time to Set Women Free?” 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, “Don’t 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.
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 and her actions as recorded in Judges 4.
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?
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?
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.
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.
Did Miriam the prophetess only minister to women?
Miriam is clearly identified as a prophet and as a leader in the Bible, but some say her ministry was only to women. Was this the case? What does the Bible say?
Mary and the Women in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus
In Matthew 1, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba) are the only women mentioned in Jesus’ Genealogy. Why these, and only these, women? In this article, I look at three aspects of the lives of these mothers.
Don Carson and Tim Keller on “I Do Not Permit a Woman to Teach”
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.
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.
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.