Rediscovering Scripture's Vision for Women: Fresh Perspectives on Disputed Texts

IVP Readers' Choice Award

Does God call women to serve as equal partners in marriage and as leaders in the church?

The answer to this straightforward question is deeply contested. Into the fray, Lucy Peppiatt offers her work on interpretation of the Bible and Christian practice. With careful exegetical work, Peppiatt considers relevant passages in Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Peter, 1 Timothy, and 1 Corinthians. There she finds a story of God releasing women alongside men into all forms of ministry, leadership, work, and service on the basis of character and gifting, rather than biological sex.

Those who see the overturning of male-dominated hierarchy in the Scriptures, she argues, are truly rediscovering an ancient message―a message distorted by those who assumed that a patriarchal world, which they sometimes saw reflected in the Bible, was the one God had ordained.

Lucy Peppiatt (PhD, Otago) is president of Westminster Theological Centre. She is the author of Rediscovering Scripture's Vision for Women and Women and Worship at Corinth. Peppiatt holds the post of honorary lecturer at the University of St Andrews and is a regular speaker at church events nationally and internationally and a contributor to BibleProject podcasts.

Scot McKnight (PhD, University of Nottingham) is a New Testament scholar known for his work on the historical Jesus, early Christianity, and Christian living. He is a visiting professor at Houston Theological Seminary and Westminster Theological Centre (UK). McKnight has written over ninety books, including a translation of the New Testament called The Second Testament, The Real Mary, and The Blue Parakeet.