Women in the Church: Study Resources

November 6, 2007

This year, as a part of our study of Romans 12, we are studying the concept of community and investigating Paul’s writings about women. On November 7, we will be looking at 1 Timothy 2:8–15 (NIV), which says:

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

The following opportunities and resources are provided to assist your personal study of this passage:

Chapel Speaker: Jamie Noling, D.Min. “I Timothy 2:8–15”
Felix Event Center
Wednesday, November 7, 9:30 a.m.

I Timothy 2:8–15 Lunch Discussion with School of Theology Faculty
Hosted by Kenneth Waters, Ph.D. and Kay Smith, Ph.D.
VIP Room, West Campus
Wednesday, November 7, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Online Resources:
Keener, Craig. “Learning in Silence.” Paul, Women and Wives: Marriage and Women’s Ministry in the Letters of Paul. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1992.

Kroeger, Catherine. “The Apostle Paul and the Greco-Roman Cults of Women.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 30 (Mr 1987): 25-38.
(This can be found online through APU Library Homepage, Ebsco Host. Include ISSN # in search under Article: ATLA0000976359.)

Padgett, Alan. “Wealthy Women at Ephesus: 1 Timothy 2:8–15 in Social Context.” Interpretation 41 (Ja 1987): 19-31.
(This can be found online through APU Library Homepage, Ebsco Host. Include ISSN # in search under Article: ATLA0000973369.)

Sumner, Sarah. “In the Name of 1 Timothy 2.” Men, Women and the Church: Building Consensus on Christian Leadership. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.

Waters, Kenneth L. “Saved Through Childbearing: Virtues as Children in 1 Timothy 2:11–15.” Journal of Biblical Literature 123/4 (2004): 703-735.

Book Recommendations:

Bilezikian, Gilbert. Community 101: Reclaiming the Local Church as Community of Oneness. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997.

Keener, Craig. Paul, Women and Wives: Marriage and Women’s Ministry in the Letters of Paul. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1992.

Kroeger, R.C. and Kroeger, C.C. I Suffer Not A Woman: Rethinking 1 Timothy 2:11-15 In Light of Ancient Evidence. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1992.

Newsom, Carol A. and Sharon H. Ringe, Eds. Women’s Bible Commentary. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998.

Plaskow, Judith. “Blaming Jews for Inventing Patriarchy.” Lilith 7 (1980): 11-12.

Schüssler Fiorenza, Elisabeth. In Memory of Her: A Feminist Theological Reconstruction of Christian Origins, 10th Anniversary Edition. New York: Crossroad, 2002.

Sumner, Sarah. Men, Women and the Church: Building Consensus on Christian Leadership. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.

Torjesen, Karen Jo. When Women Were Priests: Women’s Leadership in the Early Church & the Scandal of their Subordination in the Rise of Christianity. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1995.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, then do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
-Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

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