DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed (1) to undertake a study of the Old and New Testament texts and their cultural environments which bear on the roles and status of women in biblical history and, in particular, in the early church; (2) to reflect on a wide range of hermeneutical, historical and theological perspectives relevant to the issues of women and ministry; and (3) to formulate significant exegetical and hermeneutical implications and conclusions for the role and status of women in ministry and the church today.

Fuller Seminary is committed to equality for women and men in all of its programs of preparing women and men for all forms of ministry. Yet, the issues involved in this commitment and its implications continue to be widely discussed and debated throughout the Church. This course provides a responsible biblical and hermeneutical basis for engaging these issues. The course also seeks to fulfill, to some degree, the following goals of the Biblical Division: (1) a holistic knowledge of biblical literature; (2) an approach to the Bible which respects its origins in particular historical and cultural settings; (3) the cultivation of skills for the interpretation of Scripture; (4) an integrated theological interpretation of the Bible; and (5) the cultivation of attitudes and affections towards the Scripture, as well as habits and conducts flowing from the Scripture, which are consistent with its status as the Word of God.

This course will consist of lectures and vigorous discussion, meeting twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

Beck, J. R. and C. L. Blomberg. Two Views on Women in Ministry. (Counterpoints.) Zondervan, 2001.

Belleville, L. L. Women Leaders and the Church: 3 Crucial Questions. Baker, 2000.

Clark, E. A. Women in the Early Church. Michael Glazier [distributed by the Liturgical Press], 1983.

Groothius, R. M. Good News for Women: A Biblical Picture of Gender Equality. Baker, 1997.

Kraemer, R. S. and M. R. D'Angelo. Women & Christian Origins. Oxford University Press, 1999.

Mickelsen, A. Women, Authority, and the Bible. InterVarsity Press, 1986.

Osiek, C. Beyond Anger: On Being a Feminist in the Church. Paulist, 1986.

Scholer, D. M. Selected Articles on Hermeneutics and Women and Ministry in the New Testament. Pasadena: Fuller Seminary Bookstore, Fourteenth Printing, 2003.

Grenz, S. J. with D. M. Kjesbo. Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry. InterVarsity Press, 1995.

Kraemer, R. S. Her Share of the Blessings: Women's Religions among Pagans, Jews, and Christians in the Graeco-Roman World. Oxford University Press, 1992.

Van Leeuwen, M. S. Gender & Grace: Love, Work & Parenting in a Changing World. InterVarsity Press, 1990.

1. Three brief critical papers [4-6 pages each]: one on Osiek [due April 10]; one on Clark [due May 1]; and one on Beck-Blomberg [due May 22].

2. A major position paper [15-20 pages; this should clearly reflect the use of all required readings] on the role and status of women in the New Testament and in the Church today [due June 11].

M.Div. Elective. Meets the Interdisciplinary requirement for School of Psychology students and the M.A.C.L.