If I were to make a biblical case for women in church leadership, I would start with the stories of women in scripture. Women who acted independently of male authority. Women who did the work of God. I would tell you about Eve, the mother of the living, who was created fully in the image of God and charged to…
I grew up on kids’ Bible songs. I walked and lept around the living room as we sang about the healing of the lame man. I hit hits my fists together to show how “The Wise man Built his House” and I joined my hands over my head to show that “His Banner over me is love.” Even today, my…
Proverbs 31:15 has become a conundrum to me. The wife of noble character “. . . provides food for her family. . .” Wait. My Christian upbringing told me I needed a husband to be a provider—that’s not what a wife is supposed to do! Maybe the NIV is just getting it wrong, so I search other versions. . .…
As I do most Advent seasons, I think about Mary, and meditate on Luke 1-2, where we find her story in detail. This year, I noticed something I’d missed before—Luke begins his gospel with 3 heroines and only one hero. In fact, the very beginning shows the doubt of Zechariah, a would-be hero who fails. First, the angel comes to…
Why would I want to be a Martha? Isn’t Martha’s example is usually one that women are encouraged not to follow, rather than to follow? So, why would I place single Martha as an example with women like Deborah, Huldah, and Mary in the #BookofWomanhood? And perhaps the thought that Martha was single has never stood out in the story. Deborah,…
The Gospels do not depict any faithless women. Think about it for a moment. . . or two. . . Can you think of any? In fact, though the gospels depict Jesus citing several faithless acts of male disciples (think Peter), no specific example exists of faithless women. Certainly, when Jesus addresses all his disciples as having little faith, women…