Book of the Year Award-Winner N.T. Wright Speaks Out on Gender Equality

MINNEAPOLIS - May 2004 - Christianity Today's Book of the Year award-winner N.T. Wright will address an international audience during a symposium sponsored by Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE), Men, Women and God and WATCH Sept. 3-5, 2004, in Durham, England.

Wright will join renowned scholars at this landmark event, including Elaine Storkey, author of "Contributions to Christian Feminism" and president of TearFund; David Instone-Brewer, author and research fellow at Tyndale House; Esther Reed, theologian and lecturer at the University of St. Andrews; and Michele Guinness, author and popular speaker.

The conference, called "Men, Women and the Church: A Biblical Approach to Relationships," will include the perspectives of Christian leaders from around the globe. Among the 15 workshop leaders are Kevin Giles, of Australia; Per-Axel Sverker, of Sweden; and Ellen Alexander and Beulah Wood, of India.

The conference will address theological questions, but will also focus on practical application in marriages and local churches. Other sessions examine issues such as sexual exploitation and violence against women, the Trinity and the subordination of the Godhead, and setting trends for helping oppressed women in Third World countries.

CBE President Mimi Haddad, who will also be presenting at the conference, notes that discussions on the role of women often revolve around a few difficult Bible passages, and ignore the larger and consistent thrust of Scripture. "The predominant point in Scripture is one that teaches the fundamental equality of women, both in their essence-their being, and therefore in service within the home and church," Haddad said.

"I think the continuing conservative evangelical opposition to the emancipation of women in the home and the church is in direct opposition to the creation ideal given in Genesis 1:27-28 and the teaching and example of Jesus Christ," added Giles, an expert on the Trinity.

Christians for Biblical Equality is a non-profit organization of Christian men and women from nearly 100 denominations 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. For a press kit or for more information on the organization and its conference, visit its Web site at http://www.cbeinternational.org or call 612-872-6898.