list of resources

Apparently, the PMs and threads about my ordination will not stop coming, even though I have said that right now I am otherwise occupied with unrelated stressful matters and don't have the time and energy for a debate. Therefore, here is a list of resources for you; if you really want to know my perspective, read the books I have read.

I have spent a lot of time and energy defending myself on CF, and I think that time would be better spent preaching the Gospel and comforting the afflicted. I have well-thought-out reasons for pursuing my call to ministry, but quite frankly, defending myself to a bunch of rude strangers is not my favorite passtime. I've done enough of it, so don't be surprised if you see me ignore people or posts or even just don't see me. It will be safe to assume that I am trying to actually DO the ministry I am called to and not waste my time defending it.

If you really want to research the issue, read these books or any of the other many books by evangelical scholars who believe that the Bible affirms the gifts of women for ministry. The starred ones are especially recommended, roughly in the order listed.

*"Women in the Church" by Stanley J. Grenz and Denise Muir Kjesbo.

*"Paul, Women, & Wives: Marriage and Women's Ministry in the Letters of Paul" by Craig S. Keener

*"I Suffer Not a Woman" by Catherine Clark Kroeger

*"Beyond Sex Roles: A Guide for the Study of Female Roles in the Bible" by Gilbert Bilezikian

"Beyond the Curse: Women Called to Ministry" by Aida Besancon Spencer

"Good News for Women: A Biblical Picture of Gender Equality" by Rebecca Merrill Groothuis

"Women, Authority & The Bible" edited by Alvera Mickelsen

There are many more, but those are the ones I have right here, and they should get you started if you really want to understand why I believe the way I do.

Although I respond individually, I wanted to say a public thank you to everyone who has PMed me either to apologize or to ask me to stay in Semper Reformanda. All apologies are heartily accepted, brothers. I am sorry if I snapped at you when I was feeling defensive. You seem to understand how I was feeling and that I was dealing with something unrelated, though, so thank you for that graciousness. I'm taking a little bit of a breather right now... I may post here and there, but I'm not ready to get back into the heavier threads, until my mental energy is back. In time, I may post more fully, but to be honest with you, I do not feel very safe here, in spite of the welcome a few of you have tried to offer me. Those of you who can do so respectfully, though, may PM me.

I would also like to say that I regret the grief that any of you have been given for respecting me rather than condemning me. I learned that our brother CalvinOwen (who is now on my ignore list) went into my thread in the Women's Discussion in which I sought encouragement for this issue, for what purpose I am not sure. You might have to ask someone who received PMs from him, harassing them for encouraging me.

hopper said:

And as long as this seems a good place to list resources, here’s a few of my own:

Women in Ministry: Four Views edited by Bonnidell Clouse & Robert Clouse, with contributions from Robert D. Culver, Susan Foh, Walter Liefeld, & Alvera Mickelsen

Two Views on Women in Ministry by Gundry & Blomberg

Leadership for Women in the Church by Hunt & Hutcheson

By Design by Susan Hunt


(During my college years, Susan Hunt was my pastor’s wife (our church was one of the first 5 founding PCA churches); and like many gifted PCA women (and Christian women everywhere) had to struggle with these issues (and a host of others) first hand amongst a very hard crowd (to which I can firmly testify).

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Thanks, Hopper. The "Four Views" book is also one that I found helpful... the responses in particular helped to process all the information. That one is probably a good introduction to the question, since it addresses the issues from four different angles.