Women in the Church: Reclaiming the Ideal [Paperback]

Carroll Osburn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

For conservative churches continuing to seek the middle ground between radical feminism on the one hand and an unhealthy patriarchalism on the other, it is useful to discuss existing options. Radical feminism and patriarchalism fail to survive biblical and sociological analysis. Egalitarianism and hierarchal complementarianism must be critiqued in terms of their biblical basis and sociological viability...

Because this book has been out of print for some time and numerous people have urged that it be reprinted, this second edition, subtitled Reclaiming the Ideal, provides an opportunity to make a few corrections. It also provides an opportunity to respond to several constructive remarks made regarding the earlier volume. Since that study, the second volume of Essays on Women in Earliest Christianity has come into print and readers will profit from several references to significant studies in that volume.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A refreshing and extremely helpful book to assist churches in discussion of the place of women in the Church. This work is thoroughly biblical and fully conversant with the vast amount of literature on the subject.

About the Author

Carroll Osburn is Carmichael-Walling Distinguished Professor of New Testament in the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Abilene Christian Univ Press (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891120211
• ISBN-13: 978-0891120216
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #909,531 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sober view of a contentious issue, December 12, 2006

By 

A. OFlynn - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Women in the Church: Reclaiming the Ideal (Paperback)

Carroll Osburn provides a thorough examination of Scripture in regards to the issue of women's role within the church, or more precisely the church's view on women. He engages with the leading proponents on each side of the current debate between egalitarians and complementarians. While Osburn does not hide his egalitarian viewpoint this does not seem to bias his approach to the difficult texts within the Bible. He concludes in certain places that the texts used by egalitarians simply do not support their conclusions.

The greatest strength of the book is its sober approach to a topic that has become and is becoming more emotive. Osburn concludes that the Bible does not support either side to the extent that each side claims. However, this does not mean that Osburn thinks that the Bible has nothing to say on the issue. He concludes that the Bible supports more of an egalitarian viewpoint that is consistent with the cultural practices of any given society.

In the end this book does not provide concrete answers in a formulaic way to such a difficult issue. However, it does provide a framework that allows individuals and communities to come to an understanding of the issue and to apply it to their given situation.

This book will not appeal to those looking for a list of the roles women can and cannot do. I doubt that was ever the intention of Osburn. However, this book will appeal to those who are within the faith seeking understanding.