Christians for Biblical Equality’s

E-Quality Newsletter

Affirming the biblical truth of equality as reflected in Galatians 3:28

November 2003

From The Editor

Before I found CBE, my perceptions of feminist and equality movements had been shaped by a few negative experiences with secular feminism.  Because of this, I shied away from any organization that spoke of equality.  Though I was bothered by many traditional interpretations of scripture concerning marriage and roles of men and women in the church, this brand of feminism seemed just as unhealthy as the patriarchal system that now stood in place.  Discovering CBE, a theologically sound organization, that explained why equality was biblical, was so liberating.  Here stands a group of women and men who are truly committed to fulfilling the biblical call to equal partnership, respect, service, and responsibility of brothers and sisters together in Christ.

I hope you enjoy this issue of E-Quality, which features an article about Harriet Beecher Stowe. Stowe was an ordinary woman who’s extraordinary book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was central to the abolitionist movement. I hope God will use Stowe’s story to reveal to its readers the ways everyday people can accomplish remarkable things. As Brenda Ueland says, “Think of yourself as an incandescent power, illuminated and perhaps forever talked to by God and his messengers.”       

As I am new to editing E-Quality, I invite your feedback. Please let me know how this publication helps you and how I might improve future issues. Or perhaps you have an article you would like to submit. If so, I encourage you to send it in for review: jgaylord@cbeinternational.org. 

In Christ’s everlasting devotion,
Jessica Gaylord
Editor
jgaylord@cbeinternational.org

Woman Be Free

By Patricia Gundry
Excerpt from Woman Be Free, by Patricia Gundry.

Named by Christianity Today as one of the most influential books for Evangelicals in the past 40 years.

Chapter 1 The Problem: Second-Class Christians

"It is strange that Paul's total picture of woman's participation in the life of the church has been so completely overlooked in an uncritical acceptance of two of his isolated statements. Through this kind of selective obedience to the Scriptures, a general theological position concerning male-female relationships in the church has been built upon particular directives that are in conflict with the pervasive biblical view on this matter. As a consequence, the role traditionally given to women in the church would seem to indicate an acceptance of society's view of woman rather than God's view. "(1)

Many women in our churches feel like second-class Christians. The generic term “man” as used in the Bible repeatedly refers to mankind in general, but women are excluded from the application of many of these passages. It is as though an invisible hand rises to bar their way when they attempt to appropriate these passages for themselves.

There have always been women who questioned the validity of their restricted service in the church. However, the citing of a few selected Bible verses or an argument based on "logic" was usually sufficient to silence all but the most persistent. If the questioner was not convinced, at least she kept her doubts to herself from then on.

Today, more than ever before, women are verbalizing those doubts. They want to know why they must always be subject to men and why they may not use the abilities and opportunities they feel God has given them. Many women are afraid to ask for these answers or to admit they doubt the validity of the rules they have been taught. Many become angry after discovering that the foundations for some of those rules are not as firm and changeless as they had assumed.

Full text of Woman be Free available online at no cost at http://www.patriciagundry.com/generic.html?pid=12  

Print edition available from CBE and elsewhere online.

If you would like to help distribute this book around the world, contact Pat Gundry at suitcase@mich.com or PGUNDRY@aol.com

Not To Be Forgotten: Harriet Beecher Stowe

By Leslie Hammond

Originally appeared as the "Not to Be Forgotten" column in the May/June 2003 issue of PRISM Magazine (tel 800-650-6600).

In 1851 a 40 year-old mother of seven submitted a few chapters of her first novel to a small-circulation, abolitionist newspaper, hoping her work might find a sympathetic audience. Eleven years later President Abraham Lincoln greeted her, not entirely in jest: "So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this Great War." The book was Uncle Tom's Cabin, and its impact upon the American conscience was unprecedented and phenomenal.

From the Mouths of Members

Here are some of your responses to the poll in our previous issue of E-Quality addressing the question: What resource has helped you the most in understanding biblical equality and how have you applied this information to your life?

 “The book Beyond Sex Roles by Gilbert Bilezikian. I discovered it and the CBE website at a time in my life when I was feeling very frustrated about the amount of sexism in the world and in the Christian community in particular. I applied the information to my life by using the ideas and views in it to help others come to a better a understanding of Biblical equality”.

“Other than an in depth study of the Bible itself, including word studies of the original languages, two small books have helped me gain an understanding of how to best share the concept of Biblical equality to others in clear and concise terms and also to strengthen my own understanding. Those two books are: Women in Ministry by L.E. Maxwell, and Woman Be Free by Patricia Gundry.”

Signs and Wonders God Hath Wrought in the Ministry for 40 Years, by Maria B. Woodworth-Etter. This account of the highly successful evangelistic and healing ministry of this Holiness-Pentecostal preacher from c. 1880-1920 encourages me that God is much bigger than human prejudice; that the proof that women are called by God to preach is contained in the good fruit of their efforts; and that marital status has no direct bearing on fitness to serve. Woodworth-Etter's account of how she came to fulfill God's call on her life is an inspiration to trust and follow God.”

Now it’s your turn. Please take a moment to respond to our new poll asking the question: What suggestions do you have for those searching for an egalitarian church?  Email cbe@cbeinternational.org with suggestions.

CBE is on the Move

By Victoria Peterson-Hilleque

CBE will have a presence at two important conferences this winter. The first will be Nov. 19-21, when the Evangelical Theological Society hosts its annual conference in Atlanta, Ga. CBE President Mimi Haddad will present a paper titled “Evidence for and Significance of Feminine God-language from the Church Fathers to the Reformation.”

Other CBE members and friends will present the egalitarian perspective in this academic context: Alice P. Matthews, “Toward Reconciliation Among Evangelicals in the Gender Debate: Healing the Schism”; Ronald W. Pierce, “Complementarity, A Term for Three Seasons: How the Rhetoric has Developed in the Gender Debate”; Lynn H. Cohick, “Why Women Followed Jesus: A Discussion of Female Piety as Reflected in the Gospels”; and Linda L. Belleville, “Kephale and the Thorny Issue of Head Coverings in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16.” Ronald W. Pierce will also moderate an open session on evangelicals and gender.

Some CBE members and friends will present papers on other issues not specifically related to gender: Finny Philip, “Images of Jesus in Indian Christian Theology”; Greg Boyd “Openness Theology and the Inerrancy of Scripture”; Millard Erickson, “Can Critical Theological Thinking be Taught?”; and N.T. Wright, who will be speaking at CBE’s conference in the United Kingdom next year, will present a paper titled “Resurrection in History and Theology,” as well as a paper titled “Paul and Jesus.”

The second important conference CBE will have a presence at this winter is Urbana, a student mission conference sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, held Dec. 27-30, in Illinois. Haddad will present one workshop titled “What is Biblical Equality?” and a second workshop titled “CBE: A Reformist Movement.” CBE will also have a booth promoting internships, as well as information about the ministry. Around 20,000 students attend this event. Many of the students are leaders from public universities and have an understanding of what it means to stand up for a controversial cause. CBE considers it is an honor to bring the message of biblical equality to the next generation of missionaries and leaders.

Interest in CBE Grows!

By Mimi Haddad, President of CBE

Be careful what you pray for, because God may answer your prayers with “YES!” We prayed and worked for years that CBE might have a presence in Christian and secular radio, in news journals, and at prominent evangelical conferences. All at once, CBE seems to be the focus of great interest. Since September, CBE has had weekly radio engagements, we have been covered by some of the nation’s most respected news journals, and we’ve been invited to speak at the Evangelical Theological Society, the National Association of Evangelicals, and Christian rock festivals, as well as Urbana—the largest missions outreach in the world. We are reaching varied audiences thanks to much prayer, hard work, and friends like you. 

In a few weeks, CBE will travel to the Evangelical Theological Society and Urbana, where we plan to offer workshops, hold a CBE booth, and build strategic networks for the future. For this to happen, we need to raise nearly $5,500 to pay for our booth, housing, food and transportation for several staff. Can I ask you to make an additional contribution this year, so we can do the extraordinary—reach thousands with the biblical message of gift-based ministry?

Will you consider doubling your monthly gift through the end of the year? Or, will you make a special gift so that others might celebrate and embrace the liberating message of biblical equality?  ? To make a donation visit the following link http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/help_cbe/online_contributions_safe.shtml or, mail your gift to CBE, 122 W. Franklin, Suite 218, Minneapolis, MN 55404

We covet your prayers and your financial fellowship so we can participate in these events and advance God’s glorious plan for mutuality between men and women, in the church and in the home!

Create A Biblical Equality Public Service Announcement

To help CBE to raise awareness, consider placing a public service announcement such as this in a local paper or on a cable channel.

Christians for Biblical Equality is a nonprofit organization of Christian men and women who believe that the Bible, properly interpreted, teaches the fundamental equality of men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teachings of Scriptures such as Galatians 3:28. CBE promotes these ideas through annual conferences, a bookstore and two publications. 

CBE’s core purpose is to broadly communicate the biblical truth that men and women are equally responsible to use their God-given gifts to further Christ’s kingdom.

CBE envisions a future where all believers will exercise their gifts for God’s glory, with the full support of the Christian community

For more information, visit CBE’s Web site http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/press_room/To_help_CBE.pdf or call the organization at 612-872-6898.  

New Products in the Bookstore

CHRISTMAS CARDS

For the first time, CBE is selling Christmas cards! Designed by Dorothy Irvin, the cards feature a painting that depicts three women bearing various religious items that suggest they were among church leadership in their era. Visit http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/bookstore.shtml to view or order the cards.

CALENDARS AND NOTE CARDS

CBE's new 2004 calendars and note cards are now available! Don't forget to order them now to receive them in time for Christmas. They feature stunning ancient art depicting women in ordained ministry. Gathered from church mosaics and catacombs, the calendars and note cards are beautifully constructed but reasonably priced - making wonderful Christmas gifts! Visit http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/bookstore.shtml for more details or to see some of the images.

CONFERENCE VIDEO TAPES AND CDS

Video tapes of the four general sessions from CBE's International Conference in Orlando are now available! Visit http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/bookstore/video_tape_categories.shtml to order.

Also, for the first time ever, CBE is selling CDs with the audio from our International Conference! Visit http://www.cbeinternational.org/shopsite_sc/store/html/page55.html to check out this exciting new product. These CDs will make great additions to your library!

Book Review: Secret Power for Girls

Reviewed by Cheryl L. Kester

Secret Powers for Girls
By Susie Shellenberger
176 pages, Zondervan, 2003.

Secret Power for Girls is completely different from CBE's usual offerings. First, it makes no pretense at being a scholarly book, and it skirts many of the issues we're used to seeing debated in CBE publications. Second, it is clearly written to young women. The tone is energetic, informal, upbeat and youthful.

Still, when I received my copy, even though the outside did little to pique my interest, I sat down and read it from cover to cover in one sitting.

Shellenberger begins at the basics and makes sure that her readers know that the real "power" to live a life of happiness and fulfillment comes from a relationship with Christ.

She then moves on to sprinkle stories from real teenage girls who are living Christian lives to demonstrate how focusing on Christ can help you through bad days at school, temptations to rebel, catty friends, attacks on your self-esteem, and those big teenage decisions about sex and drugs.

As an adult, my favorite part of the book is the section on spiritual gifts. Shellenberger affirms that we are all gifted to serve God and that we will find the most fulfillment and happiness in life by developing our talents and using them to the glory of God. The accompanying spiritual gifts survey is appropriate for all ages.

Shellenberger introduces young women to these concepts. She tells them that although they are young, they have much to offer, and then gives them a roadmap for developing their spiritual gifts for a lifetime of service.

Susie Shellenberger, a former high school teacher and youth-group leader, has edited Brio magazine for teen girls for 12 years. She is the author of 25 books and contributed to the Young Women of Faith Bible.

2 For 1 Membership Sale

In celebration of the Christmas season, CBE is offering a special gift you can give to your loved ones this year. If you join CBE or renew your membership at the regular price, you may give as many half-price gift memberships as you wish. Or, if you would rather wait to renew your membership, you may give up to two memberships at half-price.

Distinctive gift announcement cards will be sent to you for each gift membership. Order by November 30 to ensure that gift cards will arrive in time for Christmas. All gift memberships will begin in January 2004.

Click here to order gift memberships or for more information: http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/membership/Christmas_sale.html

Church Membership Sale

Now through December 31, 2003, become a CBE Church Member at 25% off the regular price and receive all these benefits:

• Discounts on all books, tapes, curriculum and more
• Group discounts on CBE's Conferences
• Listing in CBE's Church Directory
• Mutuality and Priscilla Papers subscriptions
• A free book for your church's library and staff
• And more ...

Join CBE This September in durham, England

CBE is joining “Men, Women and God” and WATCH

for a Symposium on Biblical Scholarship and Gender!

September 3-5, 2004 in Durham, England

For more information, visit: http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/events/UKConference.html

Quotable Quotes

"I don't know how we survived so many years thinking of women as a separate chapter. We are not a separate chapter. We are half the book." -- Rosario Green, Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Relations

"Creative minds always have been known to survive any kind of bad training." -- Anna Freud

Send your favorite quote to jgaylord@cbeinternational.org and it may be published in a future issue of E-Quality. Please be sure to cite the source of the quote including the book, author, publication information, and page number where the quote is found.

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Christians for Biblical Equality [CBE] respects your privacy. Any personal information we collect will be used only internally to minister to our customers and members more effectively. Information regarding you, including your name and address, will not be shared or sold to any outside party.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this statement, please contact us at cbe@cbeinternational.org. 

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Christians for Biblical Equality
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Phone:(612) 872-6898
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