Category Archives: Role of Women

The next key concept that we should consider is submission. Verse 21 states that all Christians are to submit to one another. In the following verses Paul gives examples of this principle in practice, in marriage, between parents and children, … Continue reading →

We cannot untangle the role of women in the church without also delving into the relationship of husbands and wives. After all, the Genesis accounts that we’ve already studied deal foremost with marriage, not church governance. Paul’s most thorough discussion … Continue reading →

Recently, a number of scholars have noted that archaeological and other evidence supports the idea that the early church had women elders and bishops. While the existence of the evidence is undeniable, some argue that such women were part of … Continue reading →

Pentecost Jesus’ inclusion of women among his disciples begins a pattern that is reflected in the conduct of His apostles. Women disciples were with the apostles at the very beginning: (Acts 1:12-14) Then [the apostles] returned to Jerusalem from the … Continue reading →

The Gospel Prophetesses Before the birth of Jesus, three prophetesses were inspired by God to speak and to instruct men. The first is Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:42-45). Mary, the mother of Jesus, was also inspired to … Continue reading →

Of course, one of the most male-centric aspects of the scriptures is the fact that God often refers to himself as a male — as “father” in particular. But there are also a number of Old Testament passages where God … Continue reading →

The Kings Many have suggested that the fact that Israel’s kings were all men indicates that women are to be subordinate to men forever. But this argument fails. First, Israel has kings at a time when the curse of Genesis … Continue reading →

Any doctrine of women that we consider must pass several stern tests. First, it must measure up against the passages dealing with the relationship of men and women, and not just the ambiguous ones. Second, whatever position we take on … Continue reading →

The subordination of women did not begin in Genesis 2, but in Genesis 3. Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, … Continue reading →