Cynthia Hester, DMin

Catalyzing Conversations on Women & the Church

Blog

Home / Blog

New Book Review: The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible

Misunderstood No More. It reminds me of the long-standing admonition, “Begin with the end in mind.” The last chapter of Mary DeMuth’s new book, The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible is aptly titled, “Misunderstood No More.” Through the Bible stories of ten women, DeMuth illustrates the value of enduring the tension and hostility of being blatantly maligned, dismissed, and misunderstood. She writes, “I believe we can grow in our understanding of misunderstanding and, through that learning process, begin to act as Jesus did—with perseverance.” To learn more, read my new book review on The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible.

Read moreNew Book Review: The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible

We Connected Through Twitter: My Interview with Egalitarian Marg Mowczko

I logged into Twitter early one April morning to tweet a request for ideas on Christian egalitarian women to interview. To my delight, Marg Mowczko (pronounced “Moss-Koh”) reached out and offered an interview. I’d previously read several of her blog articles, but we’d never before met or spoken. After arranging a Texas to Australia connection, Marg joined me via Facetime from her home in New South Wales.

Read moreWe Connected Through Twitter: My Interview with Egalitarian Marg Mowczko

BOOK REVIEW: THE MAKING OF BIBLICAL WOMANHOOD: HOW THE SUBJUGATION OF WOMEN BECAME GOSPEL TRUTH

For forty years, Beth Allison Barr (Ph.D.), associate professor of history and associate dean of the Graduate School at Baylor University, agreed with the complementarian theology of women, often described as “biblical womanhood.” Complementarians believe God divinely ordained men as leaders; therefore, men lead, and women follow (or help) men. The majority prescribe a husband’s “headship” over his wife and restrict women from serving in the church as an elder or lead pastor. But, they draw different lines in the sand on what context and to whom women may teach or lead. They hold a wide range of views on whether a woman may baptize, serve communion, hold the position of deacon or pastor, or be ordained. Read a concise description of evangelical views here.

Read moreBOOK REVIEW: THE MAKING OF BIBLICAL WOMANHOOD: HOW THE SUBJUGATION OF WOMEN BECAME GOSPEL TRUTH

Nannie Helen Burroughs: Leading Black Voice Advocating for Faith, Educating Girls, and Women’s Right to Vote

African American women stand above all other groups of men and women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds for their high religious observance levels. The 2007 U. S. Religious Landscape Survey reported, “More than eight-in-ten black women (84%) say religion is very important to them” and "six-in-ten (59%) ...attend religious services at least once a week."[1]

From the early twentieth century to the late 1950s, Nannie Helen Burroughs winsomely and persuasively stood as a leading Black voice advocating for faith, educating girls, and women's right to vote.

Read moreNannie Helen Burroughs: Leading Black Voice Advocating for Faith, Educating Girls, and Women’s Right to Vote