Christians
for Biblical Equality’s
E-Quality Newsletter VOL. 1, NO. 3
Affirming the biblical truth of equality as reflected in Galatians 3:28
September 2002
Welcome
Welcome to this edition of E-Quality Newsletter, the
quarterly e-mail newsletter from Christians for Biblical Equality. We hope you
find this issue to be useful and encouraging. Much more is available at our Web
site.
http://www.cbeinternational.org/
In this issue, Mimi Haddad encourages you to think about whether the Christian church is consistent in its approach to women. Other features include a great Christmas gift idea, news about our upcoming marriage conference, links to new articles about the TNIV and our presence at Cornerstone, and more! We hope you enjoy it!
To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the
bottom of the newsletter.
A Consistent Church?
by Mimi Haddad
Is the church consistent in its view and treatment of women? Consider the following.
-- Jane is a missionary in a third world country. She translates scriptures, leads many to Christ, preaches to and teaches men and women of all ages. Yet, when she returns home on furlough, she is not allowed to preach in the very church that spends thousands of dollars so Jane can do just that overseas? Why?
-- Karen works as a pastor to children ages 6-12, shaping and developing their Christian faith. The church has entrusted to her care the spiritual formation of its most vulnerable, impressionable members — children. Yet, the same church will not allow Karen to teach or preach to adults. Does this make sense?
-- Julie attends a church that prays for renewal. Members pray for an out-pouring of the Holy Spirit to quicken and empower their ministry. Yet, they want God to honor their gender bias. God may pour out His Spirit on all, but only men may exhibit the Spirit’s empowering.
These attitudes are not only inconsistent but also incongruous with Scripture, and with the history of the church.
To read more of this article, click this link: http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/ConsistentChurch.html
Today’s New International Version: THE
UNTOLD STORY OF A GOOD TRANSLATION
Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary addresses the debate surrounding the recently released New Testament translation. Read it now on CBE’s Web site.
http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/free_articles/free_articles.html
Biblical Equality Finds Platform At Rock
Festival
This summer CBE ventured far beyond its usual venue, to
Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, Illinois. Sponsored by Jesus People USA of Chicago, the annual
event drew close to 30,000 people this year. Through a literature booth and
lectures, CBE was able to share its message with a new crowd. Read the full
article, from the current issue of Mutuality.
http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/Cornerstone.pdf
A Christmas Gift Idea
This Christmas, how about sharing with a loved one the helpful resources you’ve discovered through CBE? Maybe there’s someone in your family or circle of friends with whom you’ve had some great conversations about issues related to biblical equality.
Subscribers to E-Quality are the first to hear about CBE’s 2002 Christmas membership sale, exclusively for members. If you’re not already a member of CBE, this is a great time to apply. Join or renew your membership at the regular price and then you may give as many half-price gift memberships as you wish. Or if you would rather wait to renew your membership, you may still give up to two memberships at half-price.
To take advantage of this sale, go to http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/index.html?body=/new/membership/Christmas_sale.html.
Or mail your order to us at 122 W Franklin Ave, Ste 218, Minneapolis MN 55404. Or call 1-612-872-6898.
We will mail a card for you to present to each person receiving a membership, explaining your gift. Then we will send new member packets to them in the first week of January, beginning a yearlong subscription to CBE’s two publications, Priscilla Papers and Mutuality.
Marriage and The Family of God
CBE wants to invite you to join us for a weekend of fellowship and scholarship at the marriage conference “Marriage and the Family of God” in Portland, Oregon on the weekend of September 27-29, 2002. It will inspire, motivate, and encourage all as we learn together what the Bible really says about marriage.
We have 10 workshops, music, drama, a couples’ panel and much more! Come and hear as Jon and Carol Trott, John and Carolyn Kohlenberger, and John Temple Bristow share their experiences regarding mutuality and partnership in marriage. This is a weekend not to be missed!
There are still full and
partial scholarships available to help defray the registration costs of the
conference. Please do not let financial difficulties prevent you and your
spouse from attending. Contact CBE today to find out how to apply.
Visit our Web site at www.cbeinternational.org and click on the link “CBE Marriage Conference” for full details. Or e-mail our conference coordinator, Michelle Morzov, at mailto:mmmorzov@cbeinternational.org with any questions.
See you in Portland!
Take Flight With CBE
Each year the CBE staff travels to several events around the country in order to share biblical equality with new audiences. At each event, we see equality catch on like wildfire when excited women and men share their new dreams of making a difference in their own families, churches or communities. But sometimes we’re limited in our outreach by rising airfare costs. Consider the following:
· We need to transport six staff members and three speakers to September’s marriage conference in Portland.
· This fall three staff members hope to attend the Evangelical Theological Society conference in Toronto.
· Individuals from around the country have told CBE they desperately want to attend our marriage conference, but cannot afford the plane fare.
One CBE member has decided to make a difference. She has donated her frequent flyer miles to CBE. Because of her generosity, a member who might otherwise have missed CBE’s marriage conference can now travel to this important event.
If you have accrued travel miles, please consider donating them to CBE. Or, make a contribution earmarked for travel in order to send CBE staff, speakers and friends to strategic events around the country. For more information click the link below and select Special CBE-related Projects.
http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/help_cbe/help_cbe.html
Journal Gains Exposure Among Librarians
The American Theological Library Association (ATLA) held
their 2002 Annual Conference in Saint Paul, Minn., last June. Christians for
Biblical Equality (CBE) was there with a booth and our award-winning journal, Priscilla
Papers. The journal and its indices may be ordered on CBE’s Web site. Click
the link below for ordering information and to read more about CBE’s booth. http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/publications/publications.html
Book Service News
Are you sometimes overwhelmed by the vast quantity of books available about biblical equality? Where does a person start? We recently asked our members to vote on the books they thought were best for people first exploring biblical equality. To see which books they selected, as well as some of the reasons for their choices, visit www.cbeinternational.org/bookstore, and click on “Introductory Books on Biblical Equality” on the left menu.
Eight exciting books have been added to CBE’s bookstore, and they are on sale right now for 25% off at www.cbeinternational.org/bookstore. Here's a brief look at a few of them:
Two Become One: God’s Blueprint for Couples by Donald M. Joy and Robbie B. Joy
In this substantial yet gentle treatment, the authors
show that a woman has equal authority and responsibility in a Christian
marriage. The Joys also share their own story of discovering mutuality in
marriage after many years of living the traditional model. Surprisingly, they
readily admit that the traditional model worked well for them, but they say it
lacked depth and freedom. Sale Price: $11.21
Women of the Bible: Crafts and Activities by Sharon Van Houten and Mary Wenger
Designed for kids in the 3-5 and 6-10 age ranges, this
book introduces children to women of the Bible through word searches, mazes,
and matching and coloring puzzles. A great resource for making women like
Sarah, Deborah, Mary Magdalene and Phoebe as familiar to children as Abraham,
Moses, Noah and David. Sale Price: $5.99
Single Women: Challenge to the Church? by Kristin Aune
In giving this book a rave review, one reader said,
“This book challenges us to listen to single women (and by implication, single
people), and to consider their gifts for service right alongside those of
married people. The author presents a huge amount of word-for-word thoughts
written by single Christian women. She also writes a great chapter on the
theology of singleness, incorporating the biblical texts that address the
issue.” Sale Price: $8.24
These books and more are on sale at www.cbeinternational.org/bookstore.
CBE’s Church Membership Program
Did you know that CBE church members receive a 20% discount off regular prices on all regularly priced items from CBE’s book service? Did you know that CBE’s Statement on Men, Women and Biblical Equality is available in 15 languages on our Web site? Print FREE copies for your church members. http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/about/biblical_equality.html
CBE’s Church Members stand up for biblical equality by joining with thousands of others through this ministry. We receive many requests for egalitarian churches so we appreciate it when you send us permission to list your church in CBE’s online Church Directory. Let us pray, “without ceasing,” that CBE’s list of egalitarian churches will continue to grow. Ask your church to join CBE’s Church Membership online today.
Attend A CBE Chapter Activity in
your area
Do you find yourself surrounded by people who don’t understand or agree with your beliefs about biblical equality? Do you sometimes hold back in Sunday school or during church services so that you don’t “offend” anyone? Do you wish there was a place you could go to discuss these views more freely? If so, then we suggest you call the CBE office or visit our Web site to find out if there is a CBE chapter meeting near you! And if there is not, maybe you would like to start one?
For information on CBE chapter activity in your area, click the link below.
http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/about/chapter_events.html
For more information on how to start a CBE chapter in your area, click on the link below and then click on the CBE Chapter Manual button at the top of the page or call our office at 612-872-6898 and ask for Sarah.
http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/about/chapter_events.html
Quotable
"To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God’s approval."
-- Hebrews 11:1-2 Bible (15th-16th century)
“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”
-- G.K. Chesterton, British writer, critic (1874-1936)
“All conservatism is based upon the idea that if you leave things alone you leave them as they are. But you do not. If you leave a thing alone you leave it to a torrent of change.”
-- G.K. Chesterton, British writer, critic (1874-1936)
"Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see."
-- Corrie Ten Boom, Preacher, author, Holocaust survivor (1892-1983)
"Overall, probably two-thirds of the mission force has been and currently is female."
-- The US Center for World Mission
"It is only disguised pride that makes us fret over what we can't understand."
-- Evelyn Underhill, Letters
"Preach the gospel at all times -- If necessary, use words."
-- Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
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Christians
for Biblical Equality
122
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Minneapolis,
MN 55404
Phone:(612)
872-6898
Fax:(612) 872-6891