Recognizing that patriarchy is a root cause of female oppression, including abuse, CBE works to educate Christians on Scripture’s mandate for gender equality and to correct distorted biblical interpretations that justify male dominance.
To quote Jimmy Carter, “Male religious leaders have. . . an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have. . . chosen the latter. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world.”
We’re working to change this. We’re eager to get to know you, and we’d like to share some free resources with you!
1. Get informed and stay connected with us.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Subscribe to our blog, Arise. Its mission is to convict, prepare, and mobilize Christians to advocate for gender equality in the world. We move beyond theory to real-life, everyday issues at the intersection of faith and gender.
Subscribe to our monthly CBE newsletter.
2. Check out our many resources on important topics like abuse, which stems from the devaluation of women. Such devaluation is too often justified by patriarchal readings of Scripture. You may be especially interested in this issue of our magazine, Mutuality, focused on abuse.
“3 Ways the Church Can Love Sexual Assault Survivors,” by Rachel Asproth
Arise, April 2017
“Domestic Violence: Call the Police Not the Pastor,” by Pastor Robb McCoy
Mutuality, Autumn 2016
“Silent No More: Exposing Abuse Among Evangelicals,” by CBE president Dr. Mimi Haddad
Arise, July 2016
“What’s Domestic Abuse Got To Do with Theology,” by Natalie Collins
Arise, October 2015
3. If you’re the more academic type, you’ll want to read our scholarly journal, Priscilla Papers. It features interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed articles on egalitarian theology.
4. Read and share our special journal, Ideas Have Consequences.
5. Help the Church Prevent Abuse. In the US, 1 in 3 women are victims of physical violence by an intimate partner, and studies show abuse is just as common in the church as anywhere else. CBE is developing a Bible-based resource to help church leaders and educators create communities that promote the flourishing of women as equals beside men and prevent abuse.
