Women, Leadership, and the Bible
How Do I Know What to Believe? A Practical Guide to Biblical Interpretation
Foreword by Alice P. Mathews
Imprint: Cascade Books
What do you believe about women's roles in church leadership? Should women lead groups that include men? Should women preach? Should women be ordained?
More importantly, why do you believe what you believe?
Plenty of books exist telling women what to think; precious few help women think for themselves, particularly about theological issues. Women, Leadership, and the Bible helps women learn to interpret the Bible and discern for themselves answers to their questions about women's roles in the church, along with any other issue they may face in life. In straightforward, plain language, Dr. Natalie Eastman introduces women to a five-step, easy-to-follow process for studying the Bible and interpreting what they study.
[NOTE to designer: if there is not enough space on the back cover then cut the following section in italics] This book encourages women that they can think for themselves and can analyze significant theological issues, despite any hesitations they may have, any conflict surrounding an issue, or any lack of theological training. By the time readers finish this book, they will have a biblically defendable, theologically reasoned, and thoroughly discerned understanding of what they believe Scripture says about women's roles and how that understanding could play out within the church. No longer will they feel as though they have nothing to contribute when the subject of women's roles--or any other of life's theological questions--arises.
Natalie R. Wilson Eastman (MDiv, DMin) is a freelance writer and member of the Redbud Writers Guild. She lives in Delaware, Ohio, with her husband and three children. Links to her blogs may be found at natalieeastman.com.
"Engaging, eminently helpful, and completely accessible. Most delightful 'how-to' book you'll ever read. Natalie's brilliant five steps empower women (and men!) to bring the Scriptures alive in the power of the Holy Spirit. She reminds us of the great chef Emeril Lagasse. She passionately takes us into the kitchen of God's word and teaches us to feed the people of God the real food of God. We can almost hear Natalie, like Emeril, shouting, 'BAM!'"
--Erilynne Barnum, founder of call2disciple ministries and Anglican deacon, and Thaddeus Barnum, Anglican bishop and author of Real Identity
"I have heard women tell me their one life wish is to study the Scriptures. I am delighted to be able to say they finally can, without going to seminary. Natalie Eastman dignifies women's minds with her careful steps for understanding the Bible. You will finish prepared to face those 'problem passages' not just about women's roles but about everything. Natalie Eastman is an ideal guide because she refuses to tell you what to think; instead, she delivers the tools that all teachers of the Bible use to unlock meaning and application."
--Jonalyn Fincher, author of Ruby Slippers, Vice President of Soulation.org
"In a Christian world, where all too frequently women are discouraged from the serious study of biblical and theological issues, this slender volume provides encouragement for the use of discernment. It provides practical encouragement for women to be fully engaged in the educational life of their churches, and to exercise their gifts."
--Robert Norris, Senior Pastor, The Fourth Presbyterian Church
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