Customer Reviews

Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy

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I am SO thankful I bought this book. It has been so helpful for understanding further what Biblical Equality means and its practical applications. It covers the gamet of thought in reference to equality, as well as addressing the "other side of the fence" in a very gracious manner. Think of it as a response to "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Reaffirming the Patriarchy." There is also a chapter dedicated primarily to being gracious and focusing on that which we do have in common, which of course is Christ. Mud slinging helps no one. The book is laid out like this:
I. Setting the Stage (The Historical Backdrop)
II. Looking to Scripture (The Biblical Text)
III. Thinking it Through (Logical and Theological Perspectives)
IV. Addressing the Issues (Hermeneutical and Cultural
V. Living it Out (Practical Applications)

I think by far, my favourite chapter in the book is "Equal in Being, Unequal In Role". Its a very fascinating look at the "roots" of how women are viewed in the church. The thinking is not "Christian" per say, but Aristotilian. I also like how she answers critisism she recieved from others about this way of thinking. Aristotle viewed women as "other",that men were considered the normal and fully human, and that carries into complementarian thinking. Basically, complementarians deny the full humanity of females in their ideology (not sure what to call it, as its not theology in my opinion). The language complementarians use sounds acceptable to modern ears, but essentially are saying the same thing. Women are ontologically subordinate to men and are only created to be supporters of men in this world. Of course, it makes no sense when obviously women have been endowed with gifts of leadership. What I also struggle to understand from the complementarian camp, is that how can THE FALL bring about something that Christians should promote? Just because something is evident everywhere, does not make it RIGHT. If Jesus redeemed creation with his life/death/life, why were women the only people not to be fully redeemed? Complementarians are still partriachal, whether or not they like the label.
Overall, the book is full of useful information. Its has a lot of answers to commonly used arguments of complementarians, which sound quite lame when put up next to the academics of this bunch. Its an easy read because it all broken up into essays although I really wished it was a bit longer though, in spite of its length all ready.
But aside from that, I think its a book that should be used as a text book, as a balanced look at what is taught in Bible colleges across the nations. A good way to look at it, is when people learn this stuff, it cleans up the water and leaves life teeming in its midst. Life for all genders.