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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course, through the lectures, discussions and assignments, should enable students to (1) better know and understand the New Testament texts about women and ministry; (2) better understand the historical and cultural situations in which these texts were written; (3) develop ability in interpreting these texts and the hermeneutical issues and debates they have raised; (4) see more clearly the nature of these texts as both human word and holy Scripture; (5) appreciate new ways of and have more enthusiasm for reading these texts; and (6) move towards a deeper obedience to Scripture in their lives.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: 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.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will consist of lectures and vigorous discussion. The course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Belleville, L. L. Women Leaders and the Church: 3 Crucial Questions. (3 Crucial Questions.) Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

Clark, E. A. Women in the Early Church. (Message of the Fathers of the Church 13.) Wilmington: Michael Glazier, 1983 [distributed by the Liturgical Press].

Doriani, D. Women and Ministry: What the Bible Teaches. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2003.

Mickelsen, A. Women, Authority & the Bible. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1986.

Miller, P. C. Women in Early Christianity: Translations from Greek Texts. Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2005.

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

Pierce, R. W., and R. M. Groothuis. Discovering Biblical Equality: Complimentarity without Hierarchy. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Scholer, D. M. Selected Articles on Hermeneutics and Women and Ministry in the New Testament. Pasadena: Fuller Seminary Bookstore, Sixteenth Printing, 2008.

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

Groothuis, 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.