Thwack! Thwack! Ominous thuds jerked me awake and propelled me to the window. Something hard, striking something hollow. Then, raging shouts and pleading cries.
I didn’t want to look. I had to look. I did look.
Read More service, women, emotion, compassion
Sometimes the Old Testament makes for tough reading, but don’t miss the gold nuggets.
Here, Ruth is considered property to be purchased, a vessel by which a piece of land can be secured by men. Yes, that is how the men saw it. Which might irk some of us.
But note that Boaz was different. He saw Ruth as a person.
Read More women, God’s handThrough Jesus, we can have a full life (John 10:10), overflowing with blessings (Psalm 23:5-6).
In the story of Ruth’s life, we see what that looks like, what it means to be redeemed, to be bought back from a life of limited hope, or no hope. We see how God responds to those who genuinely pursue him, even Ruth, a woman who once worshiped false gods (Ruth 1:15), and even Naomi who was bitter toward him.
Read More Saviour, blessing, redemption, women
Read Reflect No one can read this passage without wondering whether it really applies today. Don’t feel guilty for wondering this! Let’s consider these verses thoughtfully. Things that were true for that time. In Corinth it would obviously be wrong for a man’s head to be covered or a woman’s uncovered (v 13). because […]
Read More submission, women, context, genderRead Reflect This passage provides wonderful insight into the participatory nature of worship in the congregations of Corinth. Paul begins by emphasizing that that all aspects of worship must for the good (building up) of everyone present (v 26). He concludes by stating that every aspect of worship is to be done properly and with […]
Read More women, vitality, worship, joy
“Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet” (3:4).
This passage is troubling in these egalitarian times, for it appears to give biblical sanction to a patriarchal view of women. Indeed, complementarian Christians often cite it as a mandate to keep women in their place.
Read More beauty, weakness, gentleness, women, honour