For all those that argue for the full inclusion of women in leadership in the church, 1 Timothy 2:12 holds a remarkable place of power in the argument. I have argued that the Bible and especially Paul elevate women in leadership, and that 1 Corinthians is a fine example of Paul’s argument for radically equal relationships between husbands and wives. But this passage has a way of trumping all others in this conversation.
The Christian Way Of Friendship: Condescension
Some scholars believe that the “Christ Hymn” in Philippians 2 may be the oldest liturgical prayer or hymn of the Christian church. We know that the early church was singing the Psalms together, but likely they were singing short little songs like this one together, too. Unfortunately, we don’t have very much of this liturgical material available to us today. The early church didn’t put a book like the Psalms in the New Testament.
Evidence Of The Changing Evangelical Tide
For an update on how this church is handling women’s leadership today, see: 6,000 Person Megachurch Now Includes Women Elders/Pastors
Grace Community Church, an evangelical church of 6,000 worshipers just north of Indianapolis, reversed their position and came out in favor of women’s leadership at all levels this weekend in their public worship services.
Griselda Was Raped At 13 Years Old & Her Story Is Not Unusual: #LocustEffect
Meet Griselda. She was raped at 13 years old. The only thing that makes her story unique is that she had the help of a lawyer and therefore she got justice. [Read more…]
Living Outside The Law: #LocustEffect Part 3
Living Outside The Law: #LocustEffect Part 2
Meet Mariamma. She is a brickmaker from southern India. One day she and her family decided to take a small loan from a brickmaker in another town so that they could relocate their family at his brick factory in hopes of earning more money. That man and his sons made them indentured servants, only permitting them to buy food from him and paying them what he pleased, therefore ensuring that they could never make a profit. Not only was the loan that they had borrowed not getting smaller, it was getting bigger.
Living Outside The Law: #LocustEffect Part 1
Imagine this: You get up early, as you do every morning, to get chores done around the house, get the kids ready for school, and you go your separate directions as your 15 year old daughter makes sure the young ones make it to school. About 11:00 your daughter shows up at your work in tears. She has been raped by two young men for hours and beaten brutally. After caring for her essential needs you call the police.
Dr. Jeremiah Gibbs 