Ordaining Women

"More than a century ago, B.T. Roberts published some courageous, faithful biblical interpretation that made clear the biblical and theological warrants for the ordination of women. His book is not only a turning point in American church history, but also a call to us preachers today to make Roberts our guide in faithful, courageous, biblical interpretation."

--Will Willimon, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School, and United Methodist Bishop, retired



"Benjamin Wayman has brought out of the treasure of Free Methodist heritage something new and something old. His rendering of Benjamin Roberts's prophetic text is a study in how the church changes for the better: recognizing the wideness of the Father's mercy, the extent of the Son's redemption, and the inclusivity of the Spirit's fruits. It is a humbling read, showing us how easily we make God's love too narrow by false strictures of our own, and demonstrating how the impoverishment of the church is largely due to its willfully refusing the abundant gifts God relentlessly bestows."

--Samuel Wells, Vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, UK, and Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at King's College, London