The Power of God’s Grace
The concept of grace has sometimes become confused or conflated with the concept of mercy, but the two are not the same. Read more about the power of grace which God gives us through Jesus and his Spirit.
Wifely Submission and Holy Kisses
Instructions for wifely submission and holy kisses are clearly given in the New Testament. Yet one concept is largely ignored while the other is highlighted. Why is that?
Jesus had many female followers – many!
I had imagined that only a few women accompanied Jesus during his ministry and only a few were with him at his crucifixion, but the gospel writers state that there were many women with Jesus – many!
The “Feminization” of the Church
Kristen Rosser has written an excellent article on the so-called “feminization” of the church, and how we can address this issue. With her permission, I have posted it here.
Jesus’ Teaching on Leadership & Community in Matthew’s Gospel
Jesus’ teaching on leadership and community, in several passages of Matthew’s gospel, shows that Jesus promoted the social values of humility and equality. In Jesus’ kingdom the humble are exalted, the lowly are the greatest, and the last are first.
“Go and work in my vineyard” (Matthew 20:1-16)
In Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells the parable of a landowner who hires labourers to work in his vineyard. He points out that there is equality in his kingdom.
Believing Wives and Female Co-workers of the Apostles
Was Paul referring to wives of apostles or colleagues of apostles in 1 Corinthians 9:5? Was their role companionship or teaching Christian doctrine?
3 views on the ministry of the Seven in Acts 6
What was the ministry of the seven men in Acts 6? This article looks at possible ministries for the Seven including what John Collins has discovered by tracking Luke’s use of the word “diakonia” in the book of Acts.
Blaming Eve Alone
Was Eve alone when the serpent spoke to her? Is Eve solely to be blamed for the downfall of mankind? In this post I give a summary of Julie Parker’s essay, “Blaming Eve Alone: Translation, Omission, and Implications of עמה in Genesis 3:6b.”
Redemption and Family Responsibility: Boaz and Jesus
This post takes a brief look at the Hebrew word ga’al which means “redeem” and “act like a close relative”.
Excerpt: Redemption was not just a lofty act done by the Creator to redeem and reconcile his creation to himself. It was also a loving act done by our close relative Jesus Christ, who became like us, identified with us, and became responsible for us so that he could rescue us. [550 words]
The Apostolic Ministry of Gospel Women
John the Evangelist chose his words carefully when describing the ministry of certain apostolic women in his Gospel, women such as Mary Magdalene. [500 words]
A shepherd who only feeds the male sheep in his flock?
Matt Chandler states unequivocally, “I teach to men . . . I go after the men.” Matt focuses his ministry on men because, he says, this is how he understands the scriptures. So what happens to the lost sheep who are female? And how does Matt’s focus affect the thousands of women in his flock?
7 things you may not know about the King James Bible
The King James Version is a great English translation, but is it the best?
This article looks briefly at 7 issues surrounding the translation of the KJV.
Galatians 3:28: Our Identity in Christ & in the Church
Is Galatians 3:28 only referring to our identity and status before God? Or is it also about our identity and status in the Christian community (i.e. the church)?
Barbara Aland and the Nestle-Aland Greek NT
Most modern translations of the New Testament rely on the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament. One of the editors of recent editions of this Greek New Testament is scholar Barbara Aland. This article provides a brief history of the Nestle-Aland text and a brief biography of Barbara Aland.
The Human (Ha’adam), Man (Ish) and Woman (Ishshah) in Genesis 2
In this post, I’ve highlighted the words for human, man, and woman in the Hebrew text of Genesis 2 to help non-Hebrew readers see that the first human was not necessarily male.
Gender Equality in Second Clement
In Second Clement (written around 150 AD) the author indicates that authenticity, transparency, and gender equality in the church are necessary for God’s kingdom to come. What do you make of it?
Philip’s Prophesying Daughters
Early church writers, such as Eusebius, acknowledged that Philip’s four daughters were respected, famous prophets and they associated them with apostles and bishops.
Likewise women . . . likewise husbands . . .
Ignoring or highlighting an ordinary word, in this case “likewise”, can make a BIG difference in how we interpret certain New Testament passages that affect women.
Leon Morris on “Head” (Kephalē) in the New Testament
The (late) esteemed New Testament scholar Leon Morris cautions us to not make hasty assumptions about the metaphorical meaning of “head” in the New Testament.
Mutual Submission is not a Myth
Dear Dr Grudem, mutual submission is not a myth.
Submission is not always, or necessarily, to a person in authority (cf Ephesians 5:21-22).