I just read your piece on your reluctance to take the lead when teaching and writing about women's history, and very much enjoyed it. Part of my historical work involves Native American history, and as a white guy, I've also had to ask myself those same questions. However, at the end of the day, I think if we are going to understand the past, learning from both emic and etic perspectives about any topic is useful. Your contribution from your own empathetic perspective will be useful in understanding the historical moment and situation, even if it is not the perspective of a woman.
A book my wife and I have just started seems like a good fit for what you’re looking for, “Icons of Christ, A Biblical and Systematic Theology for Women’s Ordination” by William G Witt.
I realize the focus here is on the roles of women as pastors and teachers, but I think Sor Juana’s life and work are important both in their own and as examples of what happens when a woman’s faith in God offends the church. And of course, Julian of Norwich wrote Revelations of Divine Love, which, for me, revealed the heart of Christian mysticism, which is love. You’re probably going to review them in the history part, but I have been moved and changed by both of them, medieval as they are. (Well, Julian anyway.) 😁
Thornapple Covenant in Grand Rapids is privileged to have Julia Sandstrom as our Teaching Pastor since Dec 2022. She is fabulous! Perhaps one of the best preachers I have ever heard. She is amazing and also serving a second year as moderator of the ECC annual meeting. Worth paying attention to her.
Though you give a nod to the 'conservative' side of this debate (Grudem and Piper), it seems like the vast majority of your authors are skewed toward the Evangelical Left. That of course is totally your prerogative to do! But I wonder if the discussion will end up being more of an 'amen' corner of the Evangelical Left and not a full engagement with Evangelicals who hold to the more historical position?
On the current draft of my full list, there are several recent complementarian books (several from Crossway, but Kathy Keller's 2014 book on women). But I think it's fair to say that my list skews towards the egalitarian side, so I'd be happy to get other recommendations!
I wasn't meaning to be mean here, Chris. It's very hard to be balanced on this issue since we usually have fairly strong leanings one way or the other...One book that represents the conservative side is the fairly recent one by Kevin DeYoung (don't know the title). And two of the classics (way back in the 80's or maybe even 70s, though no doubt out of print now) are the ones by Susan Foh (Women and the Word of God) and James Hurley (Man and Woman in Biblical Perspective). And then there's the classic by the recently deceased Roman Catholic, Stephen Clark (a huge book), Man and Woman in Christ. Probably also out of print.
I also found a couple of Two/Four Views books from IVP and Zondervan, which collect differing perspectives in one volume. But those are somewhat older...
Assuming you have visited this page.
The called and Gifted brochure has been widely used in the Covenant.
https://covchurch.org/resources/
Need to scroll down.
I just read your piece on your reluctance to take the lead when teaching and writing about women's history, and very much enjoyed it. Part of my historical work involves Native American history, and as a white guy, I've also had to ask myself those same questions. However, at the end of the day, I think if we are going to understand the past, learning from both emic and etic perspectives about any topic is useful. Your contribution from your own empathetic perspective will be useful in understanding the historical moment and situation, even if it is not the perspective of a woman.
Thanks for all the early suggestions! Keep 'em coming!
A book my wife and I have just started seems like a good fit for what you’re looking for, “Icons of Christ, A Biblical and Systematic Theology for Women’s Ordination” by William G Witt.
I realize the focus here is on the roles of women as pastors and teachers, but I think Sor Juana’s life and work are important both in their own and as examples of what happens when a woman’s faith in God offends the church. And of course, Julian of Norwich wrote Revelations of Divine Love, which, for me, revealed the heart of Christian mysticism, which is love. You’re probably going to review them in the history part, but I have been moved and changed by both of them, medieval as they are. (Well, Julian anyway.) 😁
Thornapple Covenant in Grand Rapids is privileged to have Julia Sandstrom as our Teaching Pastor since Dec 2022. She is fabulous! Perhaps one of the best preachers I have ever heard. She is amazing and also serving a second year as moderator of the ECC annual meeting. Worth paying attention to her.
Thank you so very much for asking!
Weighing in with two favorites from my 2010ish reading: Flunking Sainthood by Jana Reiss and A Year of Bibilical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans.
Sarah Bessey is current and on-point.
Looking forward to reading some of your other picks. <3 -jsj.
Though you give a nod to the 'conservative' side of this debate (Grudem and Piper), it seems like the vast majority of your authors are skewed toward the Evangelical Left. That of course is totally your prerogative to do! But I wonder if the discussion will end up being more of an 'amen' corner of the Evangelical Left and not a full engagement with Evangelicals who hold to the more historical position?
On the current draft of my full list, there are several recent complementarian books (several from Crossway, but Kathy Keller's 2014 book on women). But I think it's fair to say that my list skews towards the egalitarian side, so I'd be happy to get other recommendations!
I wasn't meaning to be mean here, Chris. It's very hard to be balanced on this issue since we usually have fairly strong leanings one way or the other...One book that represents the conservative side is the fairly recent one by Kevin DeYoung (don't know the title). And two of the classics (way back in the 80's or maybe even 70s, though no doubt out of print now) are the ones by Susan Foh (Women and the Word of God) and James Hurley (Man and Woman in Biblical Perspective). And then there's the classic by the recently deceased Roman Catholic, Stephen Clark (a huge book), Man and Woman in Christ. Probably also out of print.
I hope your series goes well.
Thanks! I’ve got DeYoung, but not the others.
I also found a couple of Two/Four Views books from IVP and Zondervan, which collect differing perspectives in one volume. But those are somewhat older...
Jesús Feminist by Sarah Bessel is a accessible read that focuses on Jesus’s interactions with women in the Gospels
Sarah Bessey.
While it’s a male author, Scot McKnight’s The Blue Parakeet would be a good resource for your third topic.
Amy Peeler-WOMEN AND THE GENDER OF GOD
F. Scott Spencer-SALTY WIVES, …….
For parts two and three, I've found helpful Evangelical Feminism: A History, by Pamela D. H. Cochran (NYU Press, 2005).