The Estuary
One year ago today, Sue Edwards and I celebrated the release of 40 Questions about Women in Ministry, a Kregel Academic addition to their 40 Questions series. In our book, we address the controversy surrounding the Bible’s teaching about women—their worth, their relationship to God, their gifts, and their place in church, home, and society.
If you attend church regularly, you’ve likely run across some facet of the conversation. In the American South, where Sue and I live among evangelical Christians, the topic is fraught with tension and disagreement. How can so many Bible-believing Christians disagree on what the Bible says and how to apply it? Many people in the pew (or chairs) do not know how to study the issue for themselves. Enter 40 Questions.
What the Book Does
The forty questions we address dive deep into particular passages of Scripture, look at the history of women in the church, analyze interpretive methods, and discuss how churches can apply the Bible’s teaching. For each question, we offer a summary of scholars’ arguments on both sides—those who believe the Bible limits women’s participation and those who believe the Bible grants women and men the same (or equitable) opportunities to serve. Typically we conclude with discussion questions to further readers’ understanding.
What we do NOT do is tell you which argument is better. The goal of the book is to show both sides and offer readers a path to exploring the issue themselves. Knowing the key theologians and their writings, you can now investigate further on your own—and come to your own conclusions based on solid research.
One Year Later
We spent the first few months of 2023 sharing the book with various podcast audiences. If you missed them or want to hear from Sue and me what we hope the book will accomplish, listen in to any of these:
The Alabaster Jar, with Lynn Cohick
Honestly, Though, with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding
At the Table, with Jacki C. King
Beyond Ordinary Women, with Kelly Arabie
The Holy Shift Show, with Christine Chandler Prater
The Bearing Life Podcast, with Julie Shannon
Graced Though, with Christian Williams
Would you rather read about it? Consider these articles and interviews found online:
Reading Acts, a review
Sandra Glahn’s Recommended Reading List
My own posts on this blog: You’ve Got Questions. Table of Contents. What the Ideal Man Has to Say about Women.
Readers’ Responses
My favorite feedback this year came not in the positive reviews or encouraging comments. We did get plenty of those! It wasn’t in the 5-star ratings, though we appreciate them immeasurably. No, the most heartwarming response to 40 Questions came from pastors who used the book as a resource for a group of their church leaders as they explored their stance on women in ministry. I believe its evenhanded approach makes it an ideal resource for pastors exploring the validity of inherited perspectives. It has helped leaders know how to evaluate their church’s theology of women. It has given individual women a sense of hope and encouragement. It has brought clarity to the overall discussion surrounding women in leadership.
In some parts of the church, the controversy over women in leadership continues to rage (and gives no indication it will ever be solved). If you encounter the discussion, I hope you’ll take a look at 40 Questions about Women in Ministry to help you navigate the minefield. Feel free to contact Sue or myself for further help or consultation.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In