I sometimes wonder what that moment felt like for Peter, when he realized God had literally obliterated the divisions of the past. It was a moment when he understood that Christ’s sacrifice through the cross not only reached up to God but also out to all of humanity.

A group of colleagues and I first traveled to the Congo in 2007 to conduct conferences on abuse. We were shocked at the extent of patriarchy and resultant mistreatment of women.

I share Job’s story now because his situation is connected to the sense of pain, loss, and confusion that many women in the church today suffer as a result of patriarchy. 

A veil, invisible | Though deeply felt | Has been wrapped around me, Covering me, Restricting me,  

Christ leads, and we both follow. When my darling says to me, “I think God may want us to…” I am all ears.

If you want to transform your marriage keep dating your mate. Make time to develop that intimacy. Listen to your partner’s day, hear their hopes, their dreams, and their fears.

Let’s give words back their true meaning. Being equal must always and everywhere include shared authority. If that is not what is intended, then a word other than “equal” will have to be found.

Thanks to Austin Stouffer's new book 95 More for the Door—egalitarians can turn the "general theme of Scripture" argument on its head and prove the Bible is actually overflowing with pleas for equality.