Before gender equality became written into our laws, before #metoo and #churchtoo, long before the time’s up movement and the current “he said, she said” media frenzy, there was a time in human history when man and woman lived together on this planet in perfect harmonious co-existence. When God introduced the first woman (Hebrew “Íshshah”) … Continue reading Why Trouble The Woman?
Gender Issues
Women And Priesthood
Some of you may be aware that for the last two and a half years I, along with three other women bloggers, have been involved in a joint project-blog called Ishshah's Story. Ishshah's Story has recently been retired due to our various commitments elsewhere, but I want to share the last article I posted there … Continue reading Women And Priesthood
In Whose Image?
One of the most common accusations levelled at women by those who advocate male leadership in church and home (and some would add society in general), is that Eve (Ishshah) disobeyed God and led Adam into sin. For this reason, they say, God ordained that ‘her husband would rule over her’ (Gen. 3:16). In fact, … Continue reading In Whose Image?
The Woman Who Touched God
There came a day when a woman, ritually unclean, dared to approach Jesus, and with trembling hand, reached out and touched His rabbi’s garment¹. Defying all convention, disobeying the Law, risking sudden and violent death, she carried within those tremoring fingers years of hope unrealised, nights of anguished tears, and one last act of final … Continue reading The Woman Who Touched God
The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives
We spoke little as we hurried through the streets of Jerusalem. Slivers of warm sunlight were already piercing the dying darkness as the long night fled away. I pulled my cloak tightly around my face as if to protect myself against the harsh realities coming daylight would bring. Between us we carried the oil and … Continue reading The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives
Headship, Heirarchy and All That Stuff
Last week fellow Christian blogger Teague McKamey posted an article called Get Your Head on Straight. As a frequent reader of his posts, I challenged some of the views he expressed in it. The unexpected (for me) result was that Teague invited me to put together a guest post sharing my own views on the same … Continue reading Headship, Heirarchy and All That Stuff
Rocking the Boat
There are two ways to view scripture. Either it’s the word of God to humankind infused with the living Spirit of God whose fruit is always abundant life, or it's the dead letter of religious law-keeping, the fruit of which is always condemnation and spiritual death. The first view is rooted in the sure knowledge … Continue reading Rocking the Boat
Courage
Courage has a face Like a girl, Moving swiftly across a crowded room To sit at the Master’s feet, Eyes downcast so as not to meet The glare of male eyes Disapproving, cutting at her soul, Or the voice of the older sister Jarring, angry, cold, Then raised in an agony of hope That He … Continue reading Courage
The Lady at Number 31
When did I first notice her? I don’t really recall. I’m sure there was an initial meeting, but thinking back she seemed to be always hanging around in the background even before I became aware of her. As time went on she would suddenly turn up, intrusively, when I was least expecting her..... during coffee … Continue reading The Lady at Number 31
The Sound of Broken Silence
Jesus said to her, "..... go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"John 20:17 “On the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed” (Deu. 19:15) So said the Mosaic Law, but in the Israel of Jesus’ … Continue reading The Sound of Broken Silence