The bible vs. biblical womanhood : how God's word consistently affirms gender equality / Philip B. Payne.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-223) and indexes.

Abbreviations ix
My Odyssey xi
Why Does It Matter? xvii
My Definitions of Inerrancy, Hierarchy, Complementary, and Biblical Womanhood xxi
1 Creation and Fall: Genesis 1-3 1
2 Old Testament Women and Leadership 13
3 Women in Ministry from the Gospels through Romans 16 27
4 Gender Equality in Marriage and Spiritual Gifts: 1 Corinthians 7-10, 12 39
5 Head, Hair, and Gender Equality when Prophesying: 1 Corinthians 11 47
6 Did Paul Teach, "Women Must Be Silent in the Churches"? 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 79
7 Man and Woman, One in Christ: Galatians 3:28 103
8 Husbands and Wives in Mutual Submission: Ephesians 5:21-33 111
9 Husbands and Wives in Mutual Submission: 1 Peter 3:1-7 125
10 Seizing Authority to Teach & "Saved through the Childbirth": 1 Timothy 2 135
11 Overseer and Deacon Qualifications: 1 Timothy 3 151
12 Elder Requirements and Instructions: Titus 1-2 159
Conclusion: Ten Biblical Principles that Entail Gender Equality 173
Appendix 1 The Sixteen Vaticanus Distigme-Obelos Symbols 185
Appendix 2 Obelos vs. Paragraph Bar Extension into the Margin and Length 188
Scripture Index 191
Subject Index 199
Author Index 211
Bibliography 215

"The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood by New Testament scholar, Philip B. Payne, presents clear and understandable interpretations of the most important passages in the Bible on gender differences that show how Scripture affirms gender equality"--

"A biblical defense of egalitarianism that relies on Scripture to affirm gender equality in the eyes of God. "Biblical womanhood" is the idea that the Bible teaches God-ordained male leadership and female submission in the home and subordination in the church. Some say this hierarchy of authority is sufficiently evidenced by examples of male leadership (and lack of female leadership) in the Bible: the first human was male, Israel's official priests were male, most authors of Scripture were male, Jesus was male and chose twelve male Apostles. God is addressed as Father. Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands. In The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood, New Testament scholar Philip B. Payne argues that the very Bible passages that are often believed to teach male headship and female subordination actually teach gender equality. He demonstrates that the Bible does not endorse gender hierarchy but instead emphasizes: the Holy Spirit gifting all believers for ministry, the oneness of the body of Christ (the church) and the priesthood of all believers, humility, service, and mutual submission required of all believers, freedom and willingness to relinquish freedom in order to spread the gospel. These concepts are examined in 14 Bible passages throughout the Old and New Testaments, using careful exploration of Greek and Hebrew word meanings, historical and cultural context, and examples from Scripture. Payne defends his position by providing detailed answers to common objections at the end of each chapter. The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood is for those struggling to reconcile the Bible's seemingly contradictory teachings about man and woman. Readers will come away with greater confidence in the reliability of Scripture's consistent, harmonious message of gender equality"--