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CBE regularly reviews books and resources that align with and elevate our mission, vision, statement of faith, and core values Our review process consists of two components: 1) a written review of the resource and, 2) a completed Evaluation Standards Form rating the resource for inclusion in CBE Bookstore. Before beginning the book, please review the Bookstore Inclusion Criteria below, and CBE’s mission, vision, statement of faith and core values.

When evaluating a book for inclusion in the bookstore, reviewers will address the following (to address when writing your written review as well):

  • Is the content of this resource consistent with CBE’s mission, vision, statement of faith, and core values?
  • Does the resource explicitly address biblical equality for women, or women and leadership, in a Christian context? Does most of the content provide insight and help on the biblical, historical, and social strengths of egalitarian theology and/or failures of complementarianism?
  • If no to the above, does the resource teach/illustrate women’s equality on a related topic such as leadership development, pursuing one’s calling, biblical interpretation, marriage, parenting, or culture, etc.? Does it assume equal and shared authority/leadership between women and men in church, home, and world?
  • Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
  • Is the writing quality and format satisfactory? (e.g. grammar, typos, visually appealing format, etc.)
  • Is the argumentation, logic, and/or scholarship sound (e.g., is the information accurate and current)?
  • Is the writing and writing style irenic, compelling, and appropriate for CBE’s audience?
  • If applicable, does the author fairly describe opposing viewpoints and show respect for people who disagree?
  • Does it contain any cultural, political, or religious viewpoints in conflict with CBE’s mission and values which CBE’s audience might find objectionable (e.g., endorsement of same-sex marriage, rejects scripture as authoritative, etc.)? 
  • Would the resource be acceptable/applicable/respectful and helpful to Christians worldwide, e.g., those outside the western context?
  • Does the resource address biblically the challenges women face at racial, or ethnic margins?

To effectively answer these questions, reviewers need to have a strong understanding and affirmation of CBE’s mission, core values, and priorities.

Because the bookstore is a branch of CBE International, its purpose can be found in CBE’s mission statement:

CBE exists to promote the biblical message that God calls women and men of all cultures, races, and classes to share authority equally in service and leadership in the home, church, and world. CBE’s mission is to eliminate the power imbalance between men and women resulting from theological patriarchy.

The criteria for evaluating resources are first and foremost CBE’s mission statement, and therefore all resources must adhere to CBE’s statement of faith and align with our mission, core values, and vision. This means: 

  • Resources should affirm that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, is reliable, and is the final authority for faith and practice. For instance, some materials claim that the Bible is patriarchal or that certain biblical texts are not authoritative. CBE recognizes that while many ancient societies were patriarchal, the moral teachings of Scripture oppose patriarchy or male domination. Our resources explain the biblical passages in their historical and cultural context, rather than discounting certain passages altogether. Further, scriptural concerns are also addressed through Scripture responding to Scripture—a whole Bible approach.
     
  • All resources affirm the essential dignity and shared authority of men and women of all ethnicities, ages, and classes. We believe the Bible teaches that all men and women are equally created in God’s image for shared governance and CBE resources reflect this belief. Thus we avoid using stereotypes or caricatures that demean groups of people.
     
  • All resources affirm that men and women are to diligently develop and use their God-given gifts for the good of the home, church, and society. We believe God gifts women and men according to God’s purposes regardless of their sex, age, ability, race/ethnicity or culture, and that these giftings should be used for God’s glory. We encourage wives and husbands to mutually submit to one another. In the same way, we encourage the Christian community to recognize the gifts of women and men and allow them to be used to build up equally in the body of Christ.

Secondly, each resource is chosen based on its agreement with CBE’s statement of faith, mission, and core values whether or not the author has expressed agreement elsewhere or in other venues. By including a resource, CBE is not endorsing the entire body of work by an author, or the organization or denomination they represent.

The following criteria summarizes our bookstore priorities.

  1. CBE’s first priority is to promote resources that teach the shared leadership, service, and authority of women and men from a biblical perspective.
  1. The bookstore’s second priority is to carry resources that show how biblical equality for women of all races and ethnicities affects individual lives. (These resources may not address women’s equality to the extent that the first priority resources do, but it is still part of the discussion.)
  1. The bookstore’s third priority is to carry resources that expose the impact of patriarchy through other disciplines other than biblical scholarship. These resources may not address the biblical equality of women directly but further CBE’s mission because their work shows the impact of patriarchy. In other words, the resource shows the positive consequences of shared leadership of men and women or the negative results of male-authority. Both examples dismantle patriarchy and advance human flourishing. These resources may address humanitarian work, business practices, parenting, economics, education, counseling, ethnicity, class, or some other aspect of life, it addresses the negative impact of patriarchy in a way that exposes, challenges, and dismantles it.

CBE will also evaluate resources based on cost, availability**, appeal, and other factors to determine if a book should be carried. And, while we highly value reviewer input, whether to include a resource in CBE’s bookstore is entirely up to CBE’s discretion.

*  As an Amazon Associate, CBE earns from qualifying purchases.

**If a book is self-published, we may not be able to add it to CBE’s co-branded store.