John Mark Hicks

John Mark Hicks (Pepperdine, Harbor Lectures, May 3, 2023) Audio is available here  Four Broad Approaches: A Matter of Hermeneutics Theological Framework Context of “Husband of One Wife” Three Questions for Understanding the Framework of the List. Three Questions for Evaluating Translation and Understanding. The Meaning of “Husband of One Wife” (One-Woman Man, Man of […]

Today is its 102nd anniversary. In 1919, Congress passed the nineteenth amendment. Tennessee ratified the amendment on August 18, 1920 by two votes. That vote made it constitutional law. Harry Burn was a 24-year old representative up for re-election that Fall. He wore a red rose into the chamber which symbolized his “No” vote. His […]

James Madison Mathes (1808-1892), who edited the Works of Barton W. Stone, authored an article in the 1882 Gospel Advocate (pp. 490-91) entitled “Woman’s Work.” Mathes was a fellow-journeyman with the conservative leader Benjamin Franklin of Indiana. Franklin shared his perspectives on this topic. He staked out what he thought was a middle ground between […]

Abigail M. (Rickoff) Mathes, “Woman’s Work in the Church of Christ” (1878). Some congregations of the churches of Christ practiced and a number of conservative leaders advocated for the visible and audible participation of women as leaders in worshipping assemblies. Abigail was one of them. Abigail was a school teacher and wrote for various periodicals. […]

Renew has recently published the ninth part of their series on Bible, gender, and the church. This is my response. However, attention to my book is only minimal. Consequently, I will only respond to places that explicitly address my own particular thoughts. I found this article problematic in many ways. I think there are too […]

In recent weeks, some within Churches of Christ have discussed the rising participation of women in worshipping assemblies. Some find this disturbing, even rebellious, while others think it encouraging. Whatever one’s perspective, sometimes we hope to find some resource within our past to guide or enlighten us.  I think this is legitimate–not so much as […]

I have uploaded to my Bible Class page some handouts I designed for a congregational-wide study in their Bible classes. It is entitled Women Serving God. The four lessons cover: (1) creation; (2) women in Israel; (3) women in the ministry of Jesus; and (4) women in the early church.  The intent of the series […]