About
Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) 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 ethnic groups, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teachings of Scripture. CBE recognizes that injustice is an abuse of power, taking from others what God has given them: their dignity, their freedom, their resources, and even their very lives. CBE also recognizes that prohibiting individuals from exercising their God-given gifts to further his kingdom constitutes injustice in a form that impoverishes the body of Christ and its ministry in the world at large.
CBE believes:
- Believers are called to mutual submission, love and service.
- God distributes spiritual gifts without regard to gender, ethnicity or class.
- Believers must develop and exercise their God-given gifts in church, home and world.
- Believers have equal authority and equal responsibility to exercise their gifts without regard to gender, ethnicity or class and without the limits of culturally-defined roles.
- Restricting believers from exercising their gifts—on the basis of their gender, ethnicity or class—resists the work of the Spirit of God and is unjust.
- Believers must promote righteousness and oppose injustice in all its forms.
Envisioned Future: Christians for Biblical Equality envisions a future where all believers are freed to exercise their gifts for God’s glory and purposes, with the full support of their Christian communities.
History
Disturbed by the shallow biblical premise used by organizations and mission groups to exclude the gifts of women, evangelical leaders assembled to publish their biblical perspective in a new journal, Priscilla Papers, in 1987. Included in the group were Gilbert Bilezikian, W. Ward Gasque, Stanley Gundry, Gretchen Gaebelein Hull, Catherine Clark Kreoger, Jo Anne Lyon, and Roger Nicole. The group determined that a national organization was needed to provide education, support, and leadership about biblical equality.
With the help and vision of these individuals, Christians for Biblical Equality was established on January 2, 1988. Catherine Clark Kroeger served as the first president of the organization, and Alvera Mickelsen served as the first chair of the board of directors.
Dr. Catherine Clark Kroeger served as president of CBE from 1987 to 1995. She now serves as president for Peace and Safety in the Christian Home, an organization striving to solve the problem of domestic abuse.
Alvera Mickelsen was the first chair of CBE’s board of directors in 1987. She has been a college lecturer, editor, and writer.
Dr. Mimi Haddad has served as president of CBE since 2001. Before becoming president, she worked for CBE since 1997 as director of development and public relations, and then executive director. Haddad is a founding member of the Evangelicals and Gender Study Group at the Evangelical Theological Society, and she served as the convener of the Issue Group 24 for the 2004 Lausanne III Committee for World Evangelization.
Resources
Press Releases
Please contact CBE at 612-872-6898 or email cbe@cbeinternational.org with “Press Kit” in the subject line to be placed on CBE’s press release mailing list, where you will receive the most up-to-date briefs about what is happening with CBE’s mission. View CBE press releases here.
Interviews
To set up an interview with Dr. Mimi Haddad, please call 612-872-6898 or email cbe@cbeinternational.org.
Publications
CBE distributes two quarterly publications, both of which have received awards from the Evangelical Press Association:
Priscilla Papers: a scholarly journal
Mutuality: a popular journal that offers practical articles, book reviews, and ministry reports
Newsletter
ARISE is CBE’s free weekly email newsletter.
Blog
CBE has created The CBE Scroll, a blog to promote thoughtful, intelligent, and respectful dialogue on gender
and the Bible.
Bookstore
Visit CBE’s online bookstore, where individuals can order CBE publications, recordings, and CBE
reviewed and approved books.
Download a PDF Press kit here.
