Discovering Biblical Equality: Biblical, Theological, Cultural, and Practical Perspectives, 3rd ed.

by Ronald W. Pierce; Cynthia Long Westfall

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 2021

Overview

“There is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

The conversation about the relationship between women and men and their roles in the Christian life and the church has evolved, but the topic continues to inspire debate and disagreement.

The third edition of this groundbreaking work brings together scholars firmly committed to the authority of Scripture to explore historical, biblical, theological, cultural, and practical aspects of this discussion. This fresh, positive defense of gender equality is at once scholarly and practical, irenic yet spirited, up-to-date, and cognizant of opposing positions. In this edition, readers will find both revised essays and new essays on biblical equality in relation to several issues, including the image of God, the analogy of slavery, same-sex marriage, abortion, domestic abuse, race, and human flourishing.

Discover for yourself God's vision for gender equality.

Key Features

• Includes revised essays and new essays on biblical equality
• Explores the image of God, the analogy of slavery, same-sex marriage, abortion, domestic abuse, race, and human flourishing
• Examines the relationship between women and men and their roles in the Christian life and the church

Contents

Part I: Looking to Scripture: the Biblical Texts

• Gender in Creation and Fall: Genesis 1–3 (Mary L. Conway)
• The Treatment of Women Under the Mosaic Law (Ronald W. Pierce and Mary L. Conway)
• Women Leaders in the Bible (Linda L. Belleville)
• Jesus’ Treatment of Women in the Gospels (Aída Besançon Spencer)
• Mutuality in Marriage and Singleness: 1 Corinthians 7:1-40 (Ronald W. Pierce And Elizabeth A. Kay)
• Praying and Prophesying in the Assemblies: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (Gordon D. Fee)
• Learning in the Assemblies: 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (Craig S. Keener)
• Male and Female, One in Christ: Galatians 3:26-29 (Cynthia Long Westfall)
• Loving and Submitting to One Another in Marriage: Ephesians 5:21-33 and Colossians 3:18-19 (Lynn H. Cohick)
• Teaching and Usurping Authority: 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (Linda L. Belleville)
• A Silent Witness in Marriage: 1 Peter 3:1-7 (Peter H. Davids)

Part II: Thinking It Through: Perspectives on Theology and Logic

• The Priority of Spirit Gifting for Church Ministry (Gordon D. Fee)
• The Nature of Authority in the New Testament (Walter L. Liefield)
• Image of God and Divine Presence: A Critique of Gender Essentialism (Christa L. Mckirland)
• Biblical Priesthood and Women in Ministry (Stanley J. Grenz)
• Gender Equality and the Analogy Of Slavery (Stanley E. Porter)
• The Trinity Argument for Women’s Subordination: The Story of Its Rise, Ascendancy, and Fall (Kevin Giles)
• Biblical Images of God as Mother and Soul Formation (Ronald W. Pierce and Erin M. Heim)
• “Equal in Being, Unequal in Role”: Challenging the Logic of Women’s Subordination (Rebecca Merrill Groothuis)

Part III: Addressing the Issues: Interpretive and Cultural Perspectives

• Interpretive Methods and the Gender Debate (Cynthia Long Westfall)
• Gender Differences and Biblical Interpretation: A View from the Social Sciences (M. Elizabeth Lewis Hall)
• A Defense of Gender-Accurate Bible Translation (Jeffrey D. Miller)
• Biblical Equality and Same-Sex Marriage (Ronald W. Pierce)
• Gender Equality and the Sanctity of Life (Heidi R. Unruh and Ronald J. Sider)

Part IV: Living It Out: Practical Applications

• Helping the Church Understand Biblical Gender Equality (Mimi Haddad)
• Marriage as a Partnership of Equals (Judith K. Balswick and Jack O. Balswick)
• Complementarianism and Domestic Abuse: A Social Science Perspective on Whether “Equal but Different” Is Really Equal at All (Kylie Maddox Pidgeon)
• When We Were Not Women: Race and Discourses on Womanhood (Juliany González Nieves)
• Human Flourishing: Global Perspectives (Mimi Haddad)
• Toward Reconciliation: Healing the Schism (Alice P. Mathews)
• Conclusion (Ronald W. Pierce, Cynthia Long Westfall, and Christa L. Mckirland)

Top Highlights

“The use of the term helper does not imply subordination or inferiority, since Yahweh himself often ‘helps’ or provides ‘help’” (Page 41)

“meaning that the women should not be disrupted by the intervention of others who might try to prevent them from learning” (Page 50)

“Are there any aspects of leadership denied to women and reserved for men strictly on the basis of one’s sex” (Page 4)

“While complementarians rarely address abuse biblically or socially, it remains paramount for egalitarians” (Page 31)

“Some commentators read this as an exoneration of Adam, but it is actually a condemnation, since it does not offer Adam the extenuation that Eve is given.” (Page 46)

Praise for the Print Edition

No book has been more influential for me in articulating theme after text in the Bible than Discovering Biblical Equality. The original book anticipated much of what developed in complementarianism, and this new third edition responds to the most recent challenges. There are new chapters on fresh themes by new authors. Students and pastors alike will find experts expounding Scripture and demonstrating the Spirit’s unleashing of gifts among women and men alike.

—Scot McKnight, professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary

The earlier editions of Discovering Biblical Equality were foundational for my understanding of men and women in the Bible. This third edition retains the best of what came before and adds lots of fresh materials to strengthen the case for biblical equality and mutuality. This continues to be the best all-in-one resource for understanding a Christian theology of women in ministry, family, and society.

—Nijay K. Gupta, professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Discovering Biblical Equality: Biblical, Theological, Cultural & Practical Perspectives (Third Edition)
• Authors: Ronald W. Pierce, Cynthia Long Westfall
• Edition: Third Edition
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Logos Release Date: 2021
• Pages: 698
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Sex role › Biblical teaching; Equality › Biblical teaching; Evangelicalism
• ISBNs: 9780830854806, 9780830854790, 0830854800, 0830854797
• Resource ID: LLS:DSCVRNGBBLCL3RD
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T23:24:08Z