The Elder and the Lady: A look at the language of Second John
In this article I take a look at the text of 2 John, especially at the words the letter writer uses to identify the people he mentions, including the “chosen lady.”
Goodbye New Life
After eight years, this is my last post from the newlife.id.au address. My next post will be from my new address MargMowczko.com I hope you will join me there later this week.
*This post contains important info for my email and Networked Blog subscribers.
The meaning of authentein in 1 Timothy 2:12, with a brief history of authent– words
In this article I take a look at the word authentein (translated as ‘to usurp authority’ in 1 Timothy 2:12 in the KJV). A brief history of how authent- words and their meanings developed is included.
Women’s Hair in Corinth and in Sydney
Was Paul concerned about women’s hair or veils in ancient Corinth? Would he be concerned about it in 21st-century Sydney? I wrote this piece in response to teaching at the Equip 17 women’s conference.
Is a Gender Hierarchy Implicit in the Creation Narrative of Genesis 2:4–25?
Here’s a paper I presented back in September 2015. The paper was published in a book, The Gender Conversation, in 2016. Just recently, the book has been made available as an affordable e-book.
“Paul and Gender” by Cynthia Westfall
Here’s a short review of Cynthia Westfall’s superb new book, “Paul and Gender: Reclaiming the Apostle’s Vision for Men and Women in Christ,” published by Baker Academic.
Wealthy Women in the First-Century Roman World and in the Church
Not all first-century women fit the stereotype of being hidden and housebound. Some were wealthy, influential and prominent in society and in the church.
Complementarians Single Out Single Women
Complementarians say men and women are equal in Christ, but the finer points of their beliefs reveal something different, especially regarding single women.
Adam was created first, and this means . . .
Does the Genesis story that Adam was created first mean that men have greater authority than women? Does primogeniture have a place in Christian relationships?
Gender Roles Rooted in Creation?
Complementarians believe that men have authority over women. They believe this principle is rooted in creation and is therefore timeless in application. Cynthia Westfall exposes the faults in this thinking.
Video Series: Should Women Teach in Church?
Here are four short clever videos which look at 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-14 and intelligently discuss whether women can teach in church.
Podcast with Ashley Easter and Charlie Olivia Grantham
Last Monday I chatted with Ashley Easter and Charlie Olivia Grantham about Ephesians 5 and a little bit about my marriage. Here are links to a 16-minute podcast of our conversation.
The Anonymous Man and Woman in 1 Timothy 2:11-15
In this article, I look at the language of 1 Timothy 2:12 and discuss the possibility that this verse concerns an anonymous couple in the Ephesian church, rather than men and women more generally.
Were there women elders in New Testament churches? (Part 2)
In this article I look at the NT verse that mentions women elders (1 Timothy 5:2) and compare it with other verses. I also look at elders, men and women, in early Judaism.
Were there women elders in New Testament churches?
Three times this past week I’ve been in online conversations where a person has stated that women were not leaders or elders in early churches. Was this really the case?
Were Priscilla, Phoebe and Junia friends?
Priscilla, Phoebe and Junia were Christian ministers who sometimes travelled. The NT shows that, at the very least, their paths crossed one or twice. Did these women become friends? I hope so.
Is it he, she, they or we who crush the serpent’s head? (Genesis 3:15)
I’ve been using the Common English Bible and was surprised to read God say to the snake, “They will strike your head.” Other translations of Genesis 3:15 have he, she or it will strike. What is the correct understanding of who will attack the serpent? Is it us?
The Queen of Sheba and 3 other Powerful Female Rulers in the Bible
There were powerful women in Bible times. Some were godly, others were not. This article looks especially at the Queen of Sheba and at Berenice who is mentioned in Acts.
Apphia of Colossae: Philemon’s wife or another Phoebe?
Apphia was a woman greeted by Paul in his letter to Philemon. What was her role or position at Colossae? Was she Philemon’s wife? Or was she another Phoebe?
1 Corinthians 11 and Subverted Hierarchy
In this short post, Matthew Malcolm shows that Paul has a keen interest in setting up hierarchies of human honour and then subverting them by subjecting all humans to God.
Desire or Devotion: Which is a better translation of teshuqah in Genesis 3:16?
Is the Hebrew word teshuqah, traditionally translated as “desire” in Genesis 3:16, better translated as “single-minded concentration” or “devotion”?