“The Creation of Patriarchy” by Gerda Lerner

Is it possible to trace the origins of the patriarchal systems that have been practiced worldwide for thousands of years? #CreationofPatriarchy #GerdaLerner

Women Disciples, Introduction to the Series

I have been sitting on this for a while, thinking about it for a long time. The debate continues as to whether Scripture endorses, or at least permits, or rather forbids women from certain roles within the Body of Christ. May women be deacons? May women be elders? May women be pastors? May women be … Continue reading Women Disciples, Introduction to the Series

3 John: Perceiving God

The elder said to Gaius, "Beloved one [agapete], do not imitate the bad." Any exclusion of members of the Body from fellowshipping with the whole Body of Christ is bad. It is not perceiving God.

3 John: Hierarchy’s Harm

Over the centuries, beginning with Ignatiusโ€™ letters in the second century, this crucial aspect of the church gave way to the surrounding culture, so that one of Christianityโ€™s distinctives was eroded to mere words, tucked away here and there among the gospels and epistles.

3 John: Lord It Over

Much harm has come to the church because of this hard stop put upon the organic growth of the Body of Christ, which had been meant to be nonhierarchical in its life.

Delilah

I Power Struggles in the Patriarchal System, II Sexual Seduction, or Personal Power? III Spiritual Perception (Or, perhaps, the lack thereof) A 20 minute presentation

Gospel of John: Mutuality and Equality

If we as Christians operate from the worldly flow chart, where there are those who command and run the show, and there are those who only get to obey, then those at the top of the flow chart have made themselves to be greater than their Master.

Gospel of John: Rank and File

How do you teach people who eat, breath, and live hierarchy that the kingdom of God is about equality not rank, family not a flowchart, kinship not kings? Well, you wash their feet.