Her Voice in Literature & Theology
A Conversation is Already Happening...
As a member of a church with strong complementarian (or some might say Patriarchal) views and practices, I was often confused about what the Bible really said about women and how that translated to the church today. I was confused as to why my church would allow women to sing on stage but not preach from one. I was uneasy that the pastors would simultaneously point to Mary Magdalene as the first person to see the risen Lord, and yet prohibit the women of our church from speaking of the Lord to their brothers.
One of the great surprises and delights when I entered seminary was discovering that there was already a rich and ongoing discussion about God's view of women and possibilities for women in ministry. I was not alone in my confusion, nor was I alone in wrestling through my questions. Many scholars and theologians have gone before me and are walking beside me on this path to more fully reflect God's by elevating His female image bearers.
Resources
See below for resources that contribute to the conversation of 'Her Voice in His Story.'
From the beginning of my seminary journey, I sought out female Bible scholars and included (and cited!) a woman's point of view in every single paper I wrote and submitted. This wasn't always easy to do, but John Dyer's curated collection of over 500 Commentaries by Female Scholars helped!
Dyer's bestcommentaries.com is an excellent resource for anyone looking for the best Bible commentaries.
Sandra Glahn is a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and has written two books that have opened my eyes to the historical meaning of a few key verses on women, including:
Vindicating the Vixens: Revisiting Sexualized, Vilified, and Marginalized Women of the Bible
I've also found her Blog post on Women in Public Ministry insightful and full of additional reading.
British theologian Lucy Peppiatt contributes greatly to the conversation of 'Her Voice in His Story' through her book Rediscovering Scripture's Vision for Women: Fresh Perspectives on Disputed Texts.
The following chapters are particularly insightful:
- Chapter 2. Joining the Story: The Place of Women in God's Great Plan
- Chapter 3. A Woman's Natural Place: What the Creation Narratives Tell us.
I subscribe to Beth Felker Jones' Substack. The link above directs to her insightfu post on The Bible and the end of Patriarchy. But she has a lot of great content. Her Gallery of Women in Ministry is inspiring!
DTS graduate and doctoral student Kelley Mathews writes on women in the church, theology and culture, and the beauty and sufficiency of Jesus. She has a keen eye for art and a love of history and I look forward to reading her latest.
Several of her books have been recommended or required reading in seminary classes, including Leading Women Who Wound.
Beth is the James Vardaman Professor of History at Baylor University. She earned her PhD in Medieval History from UNC Chapel Hill. She is also a pastor's wife and a mother. I eagerly await her upcoming book Becoming the Pastor's Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman's Path to Ministry. If you are looking for something to read until it comes out, I recommend The Making of Biblical Womanhood.
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