Resources

Sometimes people ask me about resources regarding the topic of women in the church. There are more books on this topic than one might think. If your time for reading is limited, it is hard to choose where to start. I have made some suggestions.

Some things to know first.

There are two main viewpoints (and probably ten more in between) regarding the theology of women.

Complementarianism is the theological view that while men and women are both created in the image of God, they have different roles and responsibilities in marriage, family life, and religious leadership. They believe that women require male guidance in all areas of life and therefore women are mandated to submit to men.

Egalitarians believe that God calls men and women to share authority in service and leadership in the home, church, and world. In their view, spiritual gifts are not gender-based, but given by God to every believer that they may exercise their gifts for God’s glory and purposes.

Egalitarians are critical of complementarians saying they are upholding a theological patriarchy that God never intended.

Complementarians are critical of egalitarians saying they are embracing feminism.

Both theological views have been embraced by the Church. Deciding on one, each local church will determine how they will put their theology into practice. Some will practice their choice of theology in a healthy way. Some will practice it in an unhealthy way.

See these resources. (Note: Complementarianism is also referred to as “biblical womanhood”)

Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women

by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher

(This book is one that represents a healthy practice of complementarianism.)

What does the Bible say about the value of women? Does the Bible teach that women are as valuable as men or does it portray them as somehow more flawed, more suspect, or weak and easily deceived?

Beginning from Genesis and working all the way through the storyline of the

Bible, Worthy demonstrates the significant and yes, even surprising, ways that God has used women to accomplish His kingdom goals. Because, like men, they are created in His image, their lives reflect and declare His worth. Worthy will enable and encourage both men and women to embrace this true and lofty vision of God's creation, plan, and their value in His eyes.

The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth

by Beth Allison Barr

(This book is a history lesson about how the complementarian viewpoint came to be.)

Biblical womanhood - the belief that God designed women to be submissive wives, virtuous mothers, and joyful homemakers - pervades North-American Christianity. From choices about careers to roles in local churches to relationship dynamics, this belief shapes the everyday lives of evangelical women. Yet biblical womanhood isn't biblical, says Baylor University historian Beth Allison Barr. It was born in a series of clearly definable historical moments.

This book moves the conversation about biblical womanhood beyond Greek grammar and into the realm of church history - ancient, medieval, and modern - to show that this belief is not divinely ordained but a product of human civilization that continues to creep into the church. Barr's historical insights provide context for contemporary teachings about women's roles in the church and help move the conversation forward.

Interweaving her story as a Baptist pastor's wife, Barr sheds light on the #ChurchToo movement and abuse scandals in Southern Baptist circles and the broader evangelical world, helping listeners understand why biblical womanhood is more about human power structures than the message of Christ.

Half the Church: Recapturing God's Global Vision for Women

by Carolyn Custis James

(This book was one that first challenged the church’s patriarchal bias on women.)

Women comprise at least half the world, and usually more than half the church, but so often Christian teaching to women either fails to move beyond a discussion of roles, or assumes a particular economic situation or stage of life. This all but shuts women out from contributing to God's kingdom as they were designed to do.

Furthermore, the plight of women in the Majority World demands a Christian response, a holistic embrace of all that God calls women and men to be in his world. The strongest voices speaking into women's lives in the 21st century are Islam and feminism - systems that reside at opposite ends of the spectrum. Does the church's message for women stake out the middle ground, or lead the way to something much better?

The Bible contains the highest possible view of women and invests women's lives with cosmic significance, regardless of their age, stage of life, social status, or culture. Carolyn Custis James unpacks three transformative themes the Bible presents to women that raise the bar for women and calls them to join their brothers in advancing God's gracious kingdom on earth. These new images of what can be in Christ free women to embrace the life God gives them, no matter what happens. Carolyn encourages listeners with a positive, kingdom approach to the changes, challenges, and opportunities facing women throughout the world today.

Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships

by Rob Dixon

(This recent book gives practical insights and actions for church leadership that believes God intended for men and women to serve side by side to advance the Kingdom of God.)

Women and men are designed to work together in fulfilling God's mission on earth. Yet God's original intent for equal partnership has been so distorted that churches and organizations continually struggle to foster healthy mixed-gender ministry collaboration. Is it even possible to return to the Genesis ideal of collaborators in today's contexts?

Longtime ministry leader Rob Dixon knows it's possible - though it takes intentionality, courage, and wisdom. Based on qualitative field research among ministry practitioners, Together in Ministry offers a prophetic road map for individuals and communities as they seek to develop flourishing ministry partnerships for women and men.

Organized around the key domains of inner life, community culture, and intentional practices, this model identifies 10 key attributes of partnerships that are both personally satisfying and missionally effective. For each attribute, Dixon presents research findings and biblical examples, along with benefits, barriers, and practical next steps. With plenty of real-life stories from ministry leaders and reflection questions in each chapter, Together in Ministry casts a compelling - and encouraging - vision for flourishing partnerships and equips teams and individuals with next steps for making that vision a reality.