Men, please stop trying to ‘elevate’ women
The idea of men elevating, or raising, women usually sounds condescending to me, rather than encouraging or empowering. Now I understand why.
Prominent Male Biblical Scholars on Women in Ministry
Craig Keener, Leon Morris, F.F. Bruce, and many more well-respected biblical scholars can hardly be accused of playing loose with the scriptures, but they all believed that suitably gifted women can be leaders and teachers in the church.
Ephesians 5:22-33 in a Nutshell
In what way (or ways) is the relationship between Jesus and the church a model for marriage? What does Paul mean in Ephesians 5:22-33?
Galilee in the First Century CE
In this essay I look at 3 aspects of the social history of 1st-century CE Galilee. This provides a context for the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, which mostly took place in Galilee around 30 CE.
Harnack’s positive descriptions of NT women ministers
More than a century ago, church historian Adolf Harnack was honest and approving in his appraisal of women ministers who are mentioned in the New Testament.
Freebies for Students of New Testament Greek
Here are some free online Greek texts, tools and resources that I have found useful.
The Intrigues of Salome I, Herod the Great’s Sister
Salome I, the sister of Herod the Great was one very powerful and dangerous woman. This article highlights her domestic intrigues and political power.
A Communal Proclamation (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
In this 8 minute video, Danny Zacharias addresses some misunderstandings and shortcomings of our abbreviated Communion and Eucharist celebrations.
Fear or Respect in Christian Marriage? (Eph 5:33 & 1 Pet 3:2)
In Ephesians 5:33 it says that a wife should respect (phobeō) her husband. What is the connection between respect & fear? Did Paul want wives to be afraid?
Who was Chloe of Corinth?
Chloe is a woman mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:11? Was she a pagan or a Christian? A concerned house church leader or the quarrelsome leader of a faction?
Freebies for Students of the New Testament
Here are links to free New Testament courses presented by top Bible scholars, as well as free books and other resources.
Lydia and the ‘Place of Prayer’ at Philippi
What was the ‘place of prayer’ in Philippi where some women, including Lydia of Thyatira, had assembled (Acts 16:13-15)? Was it a Jewish ‘prayer-house’?
Count Zinzendorf and an Egalitarian Revival
In this article Rob Dixon writes about the egalitarian views of Count Zinzendorf (b.1700) who once stated “If we put women in the corner we will lose a jewel.”
Wives, mothers, and female masters in NT household codes
When we read the NT household codes, we need to keep in mind that some “masters” were women. How does this affect our understanding of these passages?
John Piper and Emotional Blackmail
John Piper displays a lack of propriety and wisdom in his comments on Tozer’s widow. His words are repeated a few times on The Gospel Coalition’s website. #emotionalblackmail
Adam and Eve in Ancient Gnostic Literature and 1 Tim. 2:13–14
Here are excerpts from ancient Gnostic texts that present Adam and Eve in a very different light. Do they help us to understand 1 Timothy 2:13-14?
Adam named Eve because . . .
Andrew Perriman critiques the complementarian notion that Adam naming Eve displays man’s authority, or male headship, over woman.
Eusebius and Letter Writing in the Early Church
I’m amazed by the number of letters and other documents written by early Christians. Eusebius discusses some of these in his church history.
Woman Created for Man (1 Cor. 11:9), in a Nutshell
How are we to understand “man was not created for woman, but woman for man”? Does 1 Corinthians 11:9 indicate that service or submission is the role of women and not men?
Queen Candace of Ethiopia
In his Church History, Eusebius wrote, “Ethiopia even to the present day is ruled, according to ancestral custom, by a woman” (cf. Acts 8:27). Is there any truth in his statement? As it turns out, there is.
A newer translation of Eusebius’s “Church History”
Eusebius’s Church History (or Ecclesiastical History) fills in many of the gaps in the New Testament accounts of the Apostolic Church … and more. It’s an interesting read!