Does God call women to serve as equal partners in marriage and as leaders in the church? The answer to this straightforward question is deeply contested. Into the fray, Lucy Peppiatt offers her work on interpretation of the Bible and Christian practice. With careful exegetical work, Peppiatt considers relevant passages in Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Peter, 1 Timothy, and 1 Corinthians. There she finds a story of God releasing women alongside men into all forms of ministry, leadership, work, and service on the basis of character and gifting, rather than biological sex. Those who see the overturning of male-dominated hierarchy in the Scriptures, she argues, are truly rediscovering an ancient message-a message distorted by those who assumed that a patriarchal world, which they sometimes saw reflected in the Bible, was the one God had ordained.
"Lucy Peppiatt has written an encouraging book that invites women to see themselves in the biblical story, not as props but as protagonists, and along the way she explains many of those confusing texts about wives, head coverings, and prohibitions on teaching. In the end, Peppiatt offers a biblically grounded case for Christian mutuality that unites the sexes in service of a common Lord."
Michael F. Bird, academic dean and lecturer in theology at Ridley College in Melbourne, Au
"We are encouraged in this volume to attend afresh to Scripture and to the vision Scripture offers of women and men called and gifted to share equally in the life of the church. Lucy Peppiatt shows that the leadership and witness of women is not merely allowed by Scripture but turns out to be an indispensable part of the biblical story of salvation. The wisdom shared with us in this book provides abundant evidence of the rich benefits that flow from listening to women as they guide us in thereading of God's Word."
Murray Rae, University of Otago
"Those who advocate for full equality between men and women in the home and the church are often accused of 'playing loose with Scripture.' Peppiatt debunks this myth by demonstrating how thoughtful, thorough engagement with the biblical text supports full mutuality. And this is nothing but good news for women! The introduction alone is worth the price of the book."
Gail Wallace, cofounder of The Junia Project, associate pastor, Foothill Free Methodist Ch
