Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Front Cover
Xulon Press, 2008 - Religion - 492 pages
Beyond Reasonable Doubt is not just another book among many tackling the issues surrounding the role of women in the church. After witnessing discussions on this topic in settings as varied as the seminary classroom, the foyers in the local church, and even his own living room, Scott Womble sought to bring these perspectives into one holistic discussion. The result is a comprehensive resource which addresses theology, exegesis and everyday life. Utilizing the hypothetical setting of a courtroom, Womble argues that the case which sentences women to secondary roles in ministry demands a retrial. An accumulation of 95 solid arguments is presented on behalf of the women who need a defense attorney as they await the verdict regarding their place in the church. His 95 theses raise more than reasonable doubt and clearly show that women must be released into ministry. Scott Womble (B.S., Saint Louis Christian College; M. Div., Lincoln Christian Seminary) is professor of biblical studies at Saint Louis Christian College where he also serves as the Adults in Ministry Coordinator. Prior to joining the college in 2002, Womble served as full-time preaching minister in central Illinois for seven years. He still regularly fills the pulpit on Sunday mornings, having preached at over fifty churches. He is a regular book reviewer for the Stone-Campbell Journal. Womble is an avid sports enthusiast. Scott and his wife Lisa have been married twenty-three years and have two children, Amanda and Michael.

From inside the book

Contents

SECTION I THE PARTIES AND THE FACTS
17
The Trinity
33
Things That Supersede Gender
53
Spiritual Awareness
66
PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPLEMENTARIAN ARGUMENT
73
What Women are Hearing Today
75
Just Be Content and Serve Where You Can
78
Their Hearts Are Not Right
79
Pauls Usage of aner and anthropos v 12
189
The Mystery of authenteō v 12
194
Not a Creation Principle vv 1314
201
Women Are Not Restricted to the Home v 15
206
3435
211
Repetitive Keys Speak Edify Silent Learn
214
The Law and the Particle ē vv 34 36
220
316
223

Go to Another Denomination
80
They Are Not Important
82
Poor Excuses for Ignoring the Issue
85
No Desire to Study A Poor Excuse
86
Lack of Humility A Poor Excuse
89
Concerns for Power A Poor Excuse
90
Not Wanting to Rock the Boat A Poor Excuse
93
Claiming Its Easier to Work with Men A Poor Excuse
94
Our Inconsistencies Exposed
97
Women Can Speak But Not Preach
98
Permission to Teach in Some Settings
100
Volunteer Work is Permissible
104
Inconsistencies Regarding Leading of Worship
106
Inconsistencies Regarding Gift Assessments
108
Inconsistencies Regarding Communion and Offering
109
Inconsistencies Regarding Prayer
110
Inconsistencies Regarding Baptism
112
Marriage Practicalities vs Marriage Teachings
113
Books and Curriculum
114
Our Inconsistent Interpretations
115
The Liberties Taken in Many Modern Translations
118
Rethinking Leadership in the Church
127
Rethinking Women as Priests
132
Rethinking Women as Elders
135
EXAMINING THE KEY TEXTS
141
Genesis 13
143
Genesis 2723 Created First
144
Genesis 316 Rule as a Consequence of the Fall
145
Genesis 316 Desire
147
Genesis 320 Naming of Eve
155
Paul on Equality
159
An Elaboration of Galatians 328
165
The Parallel Issue of Slaves and Women
170
915
175
A Revealing Setting
176
A Revealing Structure
179
A Revealing Context
182
The Command to Learn v 11
186
Revisiting aner and gune v 3
225
Head Does Not Mean Authority v 3
227
Women are also Created in the Image of God v 7
237
A Woman Has Authority Over Her Own Head v 10
238
Two More Texts of Importance
243
Ephesians 52224
244
1 Peter 317
247
REALITY OF WOMENS ROLES IN SCRIPTURE
253
Women of the Old Testament
255
Sarah Partner in Faith
258
Miriam Prophetess
260
Rahab Model of Faith and Works
261
Deborah Prophetess and Judge
262
Jael Key Figure in War
263
Manoahs Wife
264
Huldah Prophetess
266
Esther Heroine Queen
267
Heralds of Good News
268
An Excellent Woman
270
Prophetesses and More
271
Women of the New Testament
273
Mary Favored One
274
Traveling Disciples
275
Mary and Martha Disciples
277
Samaritan Woman Preacher
278
Priscilla Teacher
285
Junia Outstanding or Well Known Among
294
Women are Equals in Society
309
Women are Equals in the Kingdom of God
317
Building Up the Church
325
Conclusion
345
95 Theses
411
Supporting Materials
429
Models for Determining When a Text
445
Works Cited
461
Scripture Index
481
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