PART 3

In recent years, as I have continued to learn from female theologians and thinkers, I am discovering more and more how much I have lacked when the only voices listened to are male. For just as the people of God are neither greek nor jew, they are neither male nor female. Just as we are missing a rich theological insight if we do not listen to our brothers of color, we are devoid of insight into God if we refuse to listen to the women in our lives and churches.

And while often men like to quote Paul’s 1 Corinthians 14 34-35, and 1 Timothy 2:11-14 as justification for their silencing of women, they ignore Paul, and others’ exhortations of women apostles, teachers, leaders, public speakers, and prophets alike. (see Romans 16, Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, John 20, Matthew 28, 1 Corinthians 11, Acts 18, Titus 2, Acts 2, Galatians 3, John 4, 1 Corinthians 14, 1 Timothy 3, and more) They ignore the possibility of nuance, for the sake of obtaining a norm that suits them just fine. And while I recognize this conversation is complex, and theologians have disagreed on a proper interpretation for centuries, it is foolish to throw out dozens of passages of scripture to favor others. The avoidance of Paul’s uplifting of women speaking in churches (prophesying, teaching, reading of scripture, etc.) is just as heretical as the ignorance of Paul’s supposed claims that women are to remain silent. We must, therefore, wrestle with the text, look at the historical context, and exegete the passages with the removal of cultural bias and personal preference. And while my extensive thoughts on how we can do this are perhaps another post for another day, the point is this; There is space for, and even commissions from scripture to the followers of Jesus to submit ourselves to one another, male and female, and glean from the Spirit’s revealed works in one another’s lives.

So my exhortation is this:

Women, would you be so kind, and so bold as to continue to speak up, continue to lead, continue to teach, so that the Church might benefit and prosper. For we lack greatly without your voice, your intellect, and your embracing of Christ.

Men, would we be examples of humility and honor towards our beloved sisters. Submitting ourselves to them in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:21) Would be slow to speak, and quick to listen to women? (James 1:19) Would we value women, and their voices above our own? (Philippians 2:3) Would we honor them, and what they offer the Body of Christ, above what we offer? (Romans 12:10) For surely, if Christ humbled himself to the point of death then man can humble himself to be taught by a woman.

PART 2

“Perhaps it is no wonder than the women were the first at the cradle and the last at the cross. They had never known a man like this man – there never has been such another. A prophet and teacher who never nagged at them, never flattered or coaxed or patronized who never made arch jokes about them, never treated them either as ‘The women, God help us!’ it ‘The ladies, God bless them!’; who rebuked without querulousness and praised without condescension; who took their questions and arguments seriously; who never mapped out their sphere for them, never urged them to be feminine or jeered at them for being female; who had no axe to grind and no uneasy male dignity to defend; who took them as he found them and was completely unselfconscious. There is no act, no sermon, no parable in the whole Gospel that barrows its pungency from female perversity; nobody could possibly guess from the words and deeds of Jesus that there was anything ‘funny’ about a woman’s nature.”

Dorothy L. Sayers, Are Women Human, 1971

Dearest sisters, beloved daughters of Eve, holy women, imago dei.

I offer you my repentance and lament. For man has subjected you too much ungodliness. I offer you my praise as I sing over you what many have attempted to strip from thee.

You are not merely from man, you are from God. You are Woman, of God, and for God. You are equal and free yet beautifully other. You were made to mirror Elohim in ways a man could never.

It is no wonder that evil has made attempts at stealing your body, for it exemplifies the wonders of God! Where man has objectified, Elohim has authored his story. The first embodied temple in which Emmanuel dwelt, was in mary’s womb. The savior of the world, nursed from female breasts, humbly receiving life from that which he crafted. And surely at the foundation of the world, as Elohim formed your uterus, he knew he would one day reside behind it. And as his hands shaped your vagina, he knew he would one day be birthed from it.

What beautiful a man, that he might see the daughters of eve for who they are. That he might see women, not by their relation to men, but by their ability to be Image bearers of God. Instead of claiming superiority, he humbled himself by becoming a servant. How wonderful a savior, that instead of ignoring or invaliding women he placed dignity on them. Choosing women to be his first evangelists, his prophets, his teachers, his apostles, and his martyrs.

Oh, how I long to be like this man, and to surround myself with others like him. How beautiful is he, that he would be daring enough to challenge systems of oppression and place value on women that had been long stolen from them! My prayer is, that I would be one of many who take the life of Jesus seriously. Who follows in the footsteps of Christ to be a man who honors women. That I would see women not only as sisters, but as mothers, teachers, leaders, priests, apostles, and deacons of the living God. That I would not allow them to be silenced but would lean in to hear them. That my maleness, and all that that entails would be used not to promote myself, but to extol the daughters of eve that surround me.

PART 1

“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.”

Elisabeth Elliot

Far too often women are downplayed or even erased from the Christian faith in American Evangelicalism. Whether it is the result of bending to secular misogyny or simply an attempt to prove a more conservative complementarian interpretation of scripture, the role in which women have played in our faith has been monumental, and any attempt at hiding that is an injustice.

When I think of women of faith, I am privileged to have a vast category of examples of heroes to look up to and learn from. I am thankful for the gift of God in biblical characters who offer us examples of leadership, faithfulness, humility, and holiness and thankful for the sisters and mothers I have in my life who do the same. From old testament prophets like Deborah, who offered leadership and guidance even when no one else would, to modern-day theologians like Beth Moore, the ongoing story of Jesus is filled with Women empowered by the Spirit to preach the gospel and shape the Church.

Renowned as one of the great prophets of the old testament, Huldah is known to be the first person to declare certain writings to be Holy Scripture. Upon her declaration of the book of the Law, she called the King Josiah of Judah to repentance, effectively being a voice that lead to the reformation of Judah.

Abigail, a woman of valor, is seen as one of the seven female prophets of the Hebrew Bible. Her courage led her in pursuit of non-violent protest against the attack of David. Risking her life to save that of her husband and his men, she heroically convinced an army to lay down their weapons by choosing humility. Her prophetic words were perhaps what saved David from unjust violent action against King Saul later on.

There is no shortage of virtuous and honorable women in the new testament either. Mary Magdalen was the first evangelist, that is the first to share the good news of Jesus being resurrected! Priscilla, a teacher in the early church was honored by Paul for her bravery in risking her life for the good news. Phoebe is named deacon of the Church. Junia is known as the first woman apostle, as well as many others, named and unnamed who helped further the good news in the early church and in the days of Christ.

Perhaps just as noble as our biblical heroes of the faith, are the women I so, fortunately, get to look up to in my daily walk. My mother, Hannah Overton has so faithfully pastored hundreds in her ministry to those in prison, and anyone who so happens to come across her path. My sister, Ali Overton so daringly offers her life in service of others as she embodies Christ’s love of the least of these and his affection for the outcast. My sister, Isabel Overton whose prophetic voice calls out injustice, and speaks truth to a world that has hardened its hearts. My beautiful wife, Dare Goodspeed Overton whose love for people is never-ending and whose desire to include brings the gospel to those on the fringe. My beloved friends Abigail Joseph, Hayoung Park, and Abbie Williams who embody every quality of deacons in the church. Their service to the poor, needy, and lonely inspires. Their care for the community convicts the Church, and their faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus reflect a hope all but lost in the western world. A leader among leaders is Kayla Baros, whose apostolic gifting creates environments rich with life. A faithful evangelist, and excellent teacher Claire Elise Cross, who continues to grow in her gifting of teaching the word of God as she is empowered by the local church. Jackie Hill Perry, who faithfully preaches the gospel and continues to study theology while simultaneously raising children and running a business. And countless others who have pushed me to be a better man, a better disciple, and have shaped my worldview and theology in magnificent ways.

I owe a thousand ‘thank you’s to the women in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am without you. And although the world may make attempts at snuffing out the female voice that had no doubt shaped the church, I will do everything in my power to lift your voices above my own, for I know you have much to offer the world.