Search — Theology Explorer

misogyny in the church cultural influence on theology

Historical chauvinism and negative attitudes toward women have affected the church

Mike acknowledges that negative attitudes toward women exist in complementarian circles, rooted not just in biblical teaching but in broader cultural attitudes historically hostile to women.

N.T. Wright persecution argument

Wright's claim that women were persecuted 'equally' with men is an overstatement

Mike analyzes Wright's specific wording. While both men and women were imprisoned, we have no data on whether persecution was truly equal in degree or severity.

1 Corinthians 14:31 soft complementarianism 1 Corinthians 14:31 prophecy and teaching

Claim 2 analysis: Prophecy is similar enough to teaching that women should be able to teach in mixed gatherings

Mike now analyzes the second egalitarian claim from women prophesying.

Craig Keener prophecy and authority Nathan

Keener himself acknowledges prophets had 'no authority outside of their message'

Mike uses Keener's own words to push back on other egalitarians who argue prophecy equals authority.

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 11 headship 1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 11

Scripture places limits on women prophesying: they must acknowledge male headship (1 Corinthians 11) and may not judge prophecies (1 Corinthians 14)

Mike notes that even within prophecy, there are gender-specific limitations.

1 Corinthians 12:8-11 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 word of wisdom word of knowledge

1 Corinthians 12:8-11 — speaking gifts (word of wisdom, word of knowledge, tongues, interpretation) seem available to women by analogy with prophecy

Mike examines another gifts list and finds it would be arbitrary to say women can prophesy but not have other speaking gifts.

1 Peter 4:10-11 spiritual gifts 1 Peter 4:10-11

1 Peter 4:10-11 — 'whoever speaks' includes all speaking gifts and all are meant to be used

Mike cites 1 Peter to show gifts are meant to be used, not kept dormant.

cessationism continuationism

Mike is not a cessationist — he believes prophecy still occurs today

Mike briefly states his position on the continuation of spiritual gifts.

Romans 16:7 Romans 16:7 Andronicus and Junia female apostle debate

Andronicus and Junia — debate about whether there were female apostles

Mike briefly mentions the debate about Junia's status as an apostle.

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-20

Westfall's 'out-group status' argument: excluding women from eldership communicates they are outsiders

Mike engages Westfall's use of sociological language about out-grouping.

Galatians 2 eldership Galatians 2 Cynthia Long Westfall

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-20

Jew/Gentile distinctions continued after conversion: Jews kept the law, Gentiles did not

Mike demonstrates that the Jew/Gentile pair retained functional differences in the early church.

Acts 10 Acts 15 1 Corinthians 7:18-20 Peter Acts 10 Jew/Gentile distinctions

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-18

Contextual/Bible study argument: Ronald Pierce and Rebecca Merrill Groothuis claim Paul only reinforces 'source/provision,' not authority

Mike presents the egalitarian contextual argument from Discovering Biblical Equality.

Ephesians Colossians kephale Rebecca Merrill Groothuis Discovering Biblical Equality

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-18

Cohick's either/or: she does not acknowledge kephale could mean both source and leader

Mike critiques Cohick's framing of the lexical evidence.

Lynn Cohick logical fallacy both source and authority

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-18

TDNT (1964): kephale means 'first, supreme, prominent, outstanding, determinative'; acknowledges source for rivers but includes subjection

Mike surveys the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.

kephale TDNT determinative member

egalitarianism cultural influence on theology

Egalitarian view of marriage gaining popularity primarily in westernized First World countries

Mike notes the cultural context of the debate's popularity.

Colossians 3:19 Colossians 3:19 pikraino (embitter) authority and abuse

'Do not be harsh' (do not embitter) implies husband's authority

Mike argues the warning against harshness actually confirms authority.

2 Corinthians 13:10 2 Corinthians 13:10 restrained authority godly authority

Paul's own practice of restrained authority as a model (2 Corinthians 13:10)

Mike draws a parallel from Paul's apostolic practice.

household codes Josephus Against Apion

Josephus' household code actually supports complementarian view, not egalitarian

Mike argues the Josephus example backfires on the egalitarian case.

1 Peter 3 Craig Keener Christianity seen as Judaism Plutarch

Christianity was seen as Jewish -- household codes were not the primary cultural threat

Mike adds another historical argument against the cultural-defense theory.

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-28

Real believers exist on both sides, but the issue still matters.

Framing the tone of the debate

women in ministry charitable debate

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-28

Deuteronomy 17 describes the role of judge: deciding hard cases involving homicide, legal rights, and assault — with Levitical priests assisting.

Defining the judge's role from Deuteronomy 17

judges Deuteronomy 17 judges Deuteronomy 17 Levitical priests

1 Corinthians 6:12-13 Katherine Bushnell Alan Padgett 1 Corinthians 6:12-13

Paul does quote Corinthians elsewhere in 1 Corinthians

Mike acknowledges the basis for the refutation view.

1 Corinthians 11:10 Craig Keener 1 Corinthians 11:10 exousia

Keener on verse 10: the authority belongs to the woman, not someone over her

Mike presents Keener's strongest egalitarian claim about verse 10.

Plutarch Elaine Fantham Valerius Maximus

Plutarch's error about older customs doesn't invalidate his knowledge of his own time

Mike addresses Plutarch's misunderstanding about pre-150 BC customs.

Craig Keener physis nature vs. custom

Craig Keener acknowledges 'nature' normally means the opposite of custom

Mike shows that even egalitarians concede the normal meaning.

Numbers 6 Craig Keener Samson Epictetus

Exceptions to hair length rules: Nazirite vows, philosophers, and the principle behind exceptions

Mike discusses how exceptions to the general rule were understood.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 biblical authority 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 women's silence in church

Introduction of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 as a highly controversial passage

Mike reads the passage and acknowledges modern readers will find it offensive, but states his main concern is understanding what it actually means in context.

personal bias feminist culture evangelism

Mike's personal bias toward egalitarianism and honest methodology

Mike admits he approached this study hoping to find the Bible supports egalitarianism, influenced by feminist culture and evangelistic motivations.

Gordon Fee interpolation theory scripture integrity

The interpolation view is reckless and threatens all of scripture

Mike gives his overall assessment of the interpolation view.

Craig Keener Plutarch ancient lecture etiquette

Ancient sources on disrupting lectures with uninformed questions

Mike acknowledges the historical evidence Keener cites about lecture decorum.

1 Corinthians 14:35 education view 1 Corinthians 14:35 asking husbands at home

Advantage of the education view: it explains the 'ask husbands at home' phrase well

Mike acknowledges the education view has one genuine strength.

Luke 14:26 plain reading verses out of context Luke 14:26

The utter silence view has a plain reading advantage but relies on verses out of context

Mike acknowledges the surface-level appeal of this view while noting its limitations.

1 Timothy 3:2 Hebrews 13:17 2 Timothy 2:2 elder qualifications 1 Timothy 3:2 Hebrews 13:17

Hebrews 13:17 and 2 Timothy 2:2 -- elders watch over souls and guard doctrine

Mike cites additional passages showing elders' responsibility to guard what the congregation receives.

church order pastoral ministry as entitlement Western cultural bias

Cultural pushback: eldership is not a bucket list item or self-fulfillment role

Mike addresses the Western cultural tendency to view pastoral ministry as a personal entitlement.