The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood

How God's Word Consistently Affirms Gender Equality

By: Philip Barton Payne

Narrated by: Josh Childs

A biblical defense of egalitarianism that relies on Scripture to affirm gender equality in the eyes of God.

"Biblical womanhood" is the idea that the Bible teaches God-ordained male leadership and female submission in the home and subordination in the church. Some say this hierarchy of authority is sufficiently evidenced by examples of male leadership (and lack of female leadership) in the Bible: the first human was male, Israel's official priests were male, most authors of Scripture were male, Jesus was male and chose twelve male Apostles. God is addressed as Father. Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands.

In The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood, New Testament scholar Philip B. Payne argues that the very Bible passages that are often believed to teach male headship and female subordination actually teach gender equality. He demonstrates that the Bible does not endorse gender hierarchy but instead emphasizes:

• The Holy Spirit gifting all believers for ministry
• The oneness of the body of Christ (the church) and the priesthood of all believers
• Humility, service, and mutual submission required of all believers
• Freedom and willingness to relinquish freedom in order to spread the gospel

These concepts are examined in 14 Bible passages throughout the Old and New Testaments, using careful exploration of Greek and Hebrew word meanings, historical and cultural context, and examples from Scripture. Payne defends his position by providing detailed answers to common objections at the end of each chapter.

The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood is for those struggling to reconcile the Bible's seemingly contradictory teachings about man and woman. Readers will come away with greater confidence in the reliability of Scripture's consistent, harmonious message of gender equality.

Visual components and appendixes are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Phenomenal Study—biblical and persuasive

This topic has been so divisive. But scripture itself is not at all unclear, if one allows scripture to speak for itself. This book does just that.

Excellent scriptural exploration

this author does a great job of exploring what the Bible has to say about women. He properly refutes patriarchy and unhealthy teaching about the subordination of women. Although I come from a Complimentarian background, this is a work I highly recommend and agree with!

Excellent

I appreciated the exegetical approach. I highly recommend this book to anyone wrestling over these deep things.

Thorough. No disputing.

I’m so thankful to finally have accurate explanations for difficult scriptures that include context and thorough comprehension of the original language.

well done

The book was through, biblically based and presents a compelling argument leaving no stone unturned.