Men and Women in the Church

Building Consensus on Christian Leadership

by Sarah Sumner
Foreword by Phillip E. Johnson

Paperback

$33.99

Length: 332 pages
Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.25 in
Published: March 11, 2003
Imprint: IVP
ISBN: 9780830823918

Available at all major retailers!
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Bookshop.org

Evangelicals stand divided in their view of women in the church.On one side stand complementarians, arguing the full worth of women but assigning them to differing roles. On the other side stand egalitarians, arguing that the full worth of women demands their equal treatment and access to leadership roles. Is there a way to mend the breach and build consensus?Sarah Sumner thinks there is. Avoiding the pitfalls of both radical feminism and reactionary conservatism, she traces a new path through the issues--biblical, theological, psychological and practical--to establish and affirm common ground. Arguing that men and women are both equal and distinct, Sumner encourages us to find ways to honor and benefit from the leadership gifts of both.Men and Women in the Church is a book for all who want a fresh and hope-filled look at a persistent problem.

REVIEWS

"Dr. Sumner's book is like a fresh breeze from the New Testament, moving clouds of bias and freeing us to look again at the valuable ministry for women in the kingdom of God."Dr. Barry McMurtrie, Senior Pastor, Crossroads Christian Church, Corona, California, and Chairman, Londen Institute for World Evangelism

"This landmark book by theologian Dr. Sarah Sumner is long overdue. I predict this book will engender helpful discussions among concerned Christian leaders for decades to come."Ted Engstrom, President Emeritus of World Vision International and former President of Youth for Christ International

"Sarah Sumner's book has the promise to break the divisive deadlock between egalitarians and complementarians that continues to hinder the effectiveness of the church. Sumner's clear, carefully argued message challenges all of us regardless of our position. A must-read for Christian leaders and potential leaders."Lilian Calles Barger, President of the Damaris Project

"Dr. Sumner's Men Women in the Church is one of the most carefully and sensitively written and argued works available on a topic of vital concern for the churches, their leaders and their people in this new millennium. Even among readers who have already taken definite stands, egalitarians can learn modesty, complementarians moderation."Harold O. J. Brown, John R. Richardson Professor of Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte campus

"I have felt deep need for someone to enter the discussion of gender and leadership in the church and provide some fresh perspectives and new approaches. Dr. Sumner has listened well. Her work is done in the context both of careful scholarship and of personal experience within the evangelical community. And, I believe, she provides an important contribution to the life of the church."Gregory Waybright, Ph.D., President, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"Sarah Sumner's practical approach to Scripture offers the church new hope for unity and growth."Pat Verbal, Founder, Ministry to Today's Child

"Every once in a while someone enters into a theological skirmish and lifts it to a level where rays of biblical sunshine reveal a whole new way of looking at the issue. Honest male readers will repent--at least, I did--of some thoughts. So will honest female readers. And we'll humbly and joyfully explore the new dimension Sarah has helped us see."Jim Garlow, Senior Pastor, Skyline Wesleyan Church

"Sarah's solid biblical approach clarified several issues for me personally. Men Women in the Church is the 'talking point' book on this subject for this generation."Jim Burns, Ph.D., President, YouthBuilders

"This book is a tribute to Sarah Sumner's academic devotion and puts to good use her theological training. Her analysis is fresh and much on the mark. Helga and I are praying that her ministry will have a great and holy impact."Carl F. H. Henry, Founding Editor of Christianity Today, and author of the 6-volume God, Revelation and Authority

"I've met with hundreds of female students, youth workers and pastors desperate for a balanced biblical view on women in leadership. Finally, we have one."Kara Powell, Ph.D., Coordinator of Women's Youth Network

Foreword by Phillip E. Johnson
Acknowledgments
Part I: Men and Women in the Church
1. My Story
2. The Purpose of This Book
3. The Primacy of Scripture
4. Exceptional Women
5. Is it Better toBe a Man Than a Woman?
6. Women and Personhood
7. Men and Manhood
8. Masculinity and Femininity
9. The Authority of Biblical Metaphors
10. Every Passage in the Bible Means Something
11. What's a "Weaker Vessel"?
12.No Pictures Please
13. The Husband Is the Head
14. How Does God Head Christ?
15. The Mystery of Headship
16. Does Matthew 18 Apply to Wives?
17. In the Name of I Timothy 2
18. The Order of Creation
19. ItWas Adam, and Not Adam
20. The Significance of Adam Being Created First
Part 2: Building Consensus on Christian Leadership
21. The Fault Line
22. Thomists and Scotists
23. Jesus Is the Logic
24. Brothers and Sisters in Christ
25. Following in the Steps of Jesus Christ
For Further Reading
Subject Index
Scripture Index