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Women in the Church: Reclaiming the Ideal

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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.