John Mark Hicks

The NRSV reads (my two translation adjustments are in brackets): All this I have tested by wisdom; I said, “I will be wise,” but [she] was far from me. 24 That which is, is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? 25 I turned my mind to know and to search […]

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 […]

For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty. If the reasons Paul gives for 1 Timothy 2:11-12 are difficult to understand and subject to […]

“I permit no woman to teach or have authority over a man; she is to keep silent [or quiet].” 1 Timothy 2:12 (NRSV) Some suggest the above text is clear, obvious in its meaning, and uncomplicated. Quite the contrary, I think, and for at least three reasons: (1) fourteen questions that reflect how difficult its […]

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20a The imperative to “make disciples” is part of Jesus’s last words to his disciples in the Gospel […]

A fuller presentation of the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:8-15 is available here.

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 […]

Renew has recently published the fourth part of their review of my book, Women Serving God. This is my response. Renew’s series responds to the publication of my book, Women Serving God. The following are links to the discussion between myself and Renew in the blogosphere. This present post is my response to Renew’s Part […]

This is getting a bit confusing. Responses to Reviews by Renew with further Rejoinders. Way too many “Rs”. So, I’ll identify the contributions to this series at the beginning of each of my responses. Renew, unfortunately, does not link my responses to their reviews on their blog. This is particularly unfair given that the most […]