Who Leads?: A Concise Look at Top Bible Scholars on the Male/Female Question

By Jane L. Crane and James D. Smith III

A concise, updated summary of top Bible scholars on male/female leadership, focusing on facts rather than theories and leaving conclusions to the reader. Includes a fascinating look at ancient texts, Bible translations through the centuries, and early church actions on women leaders. Academically sound but written for the average reader. A quick read of about three hours, backed up with references to more than 100 leading scholars.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Release date: May 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385223299

Book preview

WHO LEADS?

PRAISE FOR WHO LEADS?

This is a masterpiece! Succinct yet filled with information, reasoned yet inspiring, easy to read yet scholarly. Quotes many key scholars in a great mix of older and newer sources, and I learned something new in every chapter.

Ellen Duffield, Coordinator, Paul E. Magnus Centre for Leadership Studies, Briercrest Seminary, Canada

Jane L. Crane does an excellent job presenting my research into ancient Bibles on whether women are to stay silent in church (I Cor. 14:34-35).

Philip Payne, PhD, Cambridge-educated New Testament expert

This book gives the reader a concise look at the work of world-renowned scholars, illuminating God’s intentions for leadership through His Word. It is simple to read and understand but also has meticulous notes for deeper study.

Andrea East, University of the Nations, Community Development and Justice Center

"Disagreement around the relationship of women and men within the teaching and leadership ministries of the church, and in marriage, continues to disfigure and divide God’s people. The Lausanne Movement’s Cape Town Commitment (IIF.3) calls upon those on different sides of the argument to study Scripture carefully together, with due regard for the context and culture of the original authors and contemporary readers. This impressive short book by Jane Crane, a Lausanne colleague who has researched, taught and written on this topic for years, provides such a careful study. But it does so in a superbly concise way, combining an approximately three-hour read of the main text with detailed endnotes to support her condensed but clear biblical interpretation with thoroughly documented and up-to-date research from dozens of well-respected evangelical scholars."

Christopher Wright, Global Ambassador, Langham Partnership. Chief architect of the Lausanne Movement’s Cape Town Commitment

You can read this book in two ways: you can follow the well-researched summaries in the front half of the book, or you can also dig in and read through all the quotations and arguments cited in detail in the latter half of the book. What a wonderful way to help both lay readers and theological scholars gain from this condensed insight!

Elke Werner, Germany, former Board Member of the International Lausanne Movement

When I hold this book in my hand, I cannot believe how much it says in so few pages, and so clearly. It brings a cloud of witnesses of leading scholars and is well organized and highly annotated. A concise tool for study by pastors, congregations, leaders, and many others who want an up-to-date understanding of this topic.

Mimi Haddad, PhD, President, Christians for Biblical Equality

Fascinating! Reads at times like an Indiana Jones movie. And so clear, concise, and easy to follow.

Andrew Alden, Gen-Y Entrepreneur

WHO LEADS?

WHO LEADS?

A Concise Look at Top Bible Scholars on the Male/Female Question

Copyright © 2024 Jane L. Crane. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.

Wipf & Stock

An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers

199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3 Eugene, OR 97401

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PAPERBACK ISBN: 979-8-3852-2327-5

HARDCOVER ISBN: 979-8-3852-2328-2

EBOOK ISBN: 979-8-3852-2329-9

Except where noted otherwise, Scripture quotes are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Scripture from the Holman Christian Standard Bible® is used by Permission of HCSB ©1999,2000,2002,2003,2009,2013 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

With honor to God for the guidance and joy I felt daily during the three years of writing this book.

Contents

Foreword by Rev Dr James D. Smith III

About this book

1 – What does the Bible really say?

2 – Male and female

3 – Old Testament and Days of Mingling

4 – Jesus and women

5 – Early church and women

6 – Women silent in church?

7 – Man as head of woman?

8 – Submission?

9 – Teaching and authority over man?

10 – Church leadership?

11 – What the Bible does not say

12 – What remains

Notes

Works cited

Art and photographs

About the author

Foreword

When first invited to offer a brief foreword to this insightful volume, the bold title and perennial life question stood out: Who leads? My only faithful response was clear: God. So, engaging the subtitle—A Concise Look at Top Bible Scholars on the Male/Female Question—I hoped for a compact, well-researched exploration of God’s Word. I am deeply grateful this unique presentation offers exactly that. Its years of painstaking research are artfully condensed and readable at one sitting with detailed references inviting further study as desired.

Jane Crane’s volume calls us back to the Genesis of human relationships—engaging key issues illumined by a host of first-rate Bible scholars and informed by decades of discussion. The first half examines biblical topics, texts, translations, historical factors, and hermeneutics vital to the Body of Christ. The second half invites further research through bibliography and detailed notes. In my various roles—as husband/father/grandfather, pastor/professor, and friend/neighbor—I’ve already been blessed by this presentation!

As pastor and professor of church history for over 35 years, I especially appreciate the historical inclusions in this book. The Scriptures direct us to value history. As we are called to worship only the Lord—not nostalgia or novelty—we’re meant to discover treasures new and old (Matt. 13:52), emulate faithful ones across time (Ps. 101:6), and examine all things, holding onto what is good (I Thess. 5:21).

I first became aware of church history through Dr. Issa Khalil at San Diego State University—and the dynamics of tradition and Scripture translation. In my studies at Bethel Seminary, Dr. Millard Erickson reflected on how these aspects shape theology and stated (as cited in this book) that women have been highly influential throughout Christian history—because of what God has done. In doctoral studies in church history at Harvard University, through Drs. Margaret Miles, Eleanor McLaughlin, Clarissa Atkinson, and David Herlihy, I also engaged specifically in research on women in church history. I found the insights so enriching that I have taught seminary courses on this topic for over 20 years.

Studying the lives and contributions of gifted women in the church, we note scholars like Ruth Tucker and Barbara MacHaffie (see Works Cited at the end of this book)—and earlier, Edith Deen. Her classic Great Women of Faith (1959) was written because those who loved her All the Women of the Bible (1955) were eager to see how the Lord inspired his daughters in the Faith across all generations. Her work drew my attention to Julia Kavanagh’s 1852 Women of Christianity—for which I wrote the Foreword introducing a new 2006 edition.

After decades of pastoring and teaching, my focus on the male/female question remains What was God’s original intent? Genesis 1:26-27 offers a two-fold answer: as humanity we are created male and female in God’s image for loving relationships and called to dominion together over the created order. Even after Adam and Eve chose paths of cursed, fallen disobedience, the divine chesed inspired Old Testament figures like Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Deborah, David, and Esther to Kingdom faithfulness. Then, through Jesus’ unique life and sacrifice, perfect redemption came! The curse was lifted—freeing men and women of faith to fully partake of the Holy Spirit, proclaiming the good news to all. This greatest story ever told changed my life!

Given the fresh insights and illumination provided in this book—and reflecting the divine character of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—let us all be imitators of God as beloved children. And, in lives of fruitful service together, may our loving, Spirit-led responses to one another grow out of reverence for Christ . . . (Eph. 5:1, 21).

Rev Dr James D. Smith III

ThD, Harvard University

Faculty – Bethel Seminary, Pacific Theological Seminary, Richmont Graduate University

Associate Pastor – La Jolla (California) Christian Fellowship

About this book

Ineeded a book, a simple book. One that pastors and others could read in a relatively short time to learn what top Bible scholars say today on male and female leadership. I had heard some teaching I knew to be very unbalanced and it upset me. But I could not find such a book. Then God began to move on my heart. . . .

I had taught this material on five continents. I had read thousands of pages on the topic. I had studied this because God had called me to organize Christian events. With all glory to God, I had been a key catalyst in bringing Billy Graham to San Diego in 2003 for one of his last crusades and opened in prayer for him at our stadium. I had organized two of the country’s largest National Day of Prayer events and a March for Jesus on San Diego’s waterfront Harbor Drive with tens of thousands of people. I had served in leadership with the international Lausanne Movement (started by Billy Graham) and had my writing on this topic published by them.1

So I began to write. . . . And read what turned out to be thousands more pages of the most recent scholarly work. I thanked God I had been trained for two years in doctoral-level research through the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies in Oxford, England, so I knew how to study scholars. And I thanked God I was gifted with the ability to present complex information in a clear, simple way.

I decided to present the research of top scholars, most of whom teach at the seminary level.2 I chose to focus primarily on facts rather than opinions and leave conclusions to the reader. I also worked to give references to multiple scholars wherever possible for each point made. These references are found in the back half of this book with detailed explanations for those who want that. But the front half of the book gives an overview for the average reader that can be read in a few hours.3 I also wanted to include cultural background that brings the text alive.4 I worked intensively for three years to do this.

I can honestly say that I studied with the fear of the Lord. . . . Were my past conclusions about the relevant Bible passages biased? Did God want to show me something different? It felt risky and vulnerable, but right. I believe each of us needs to do this. Like good scientists, we need to be open to new information as it emerges to check our assumptions. And we need to know personally what God is saying to make informed decisions for our own lives.

Billy Graham called for Christian leaders to work together for the Gospel in humility, friendship, prayer, study, partnership, and hope.5 May we all follow his worthy lead and study this information with humility and prayer. And may we all know richly what God’s plan is for leadership in the home, church, and beyond, following God with trust and joy.

Jane L. Crane

San Diego, California USA

1

What does the Bible really say?

How the Bible came together is quite a story! Who wrote it, the materials used, a famous librarian who ran in the night from a fire with an ancient Bible under his arm. A Russian czar, British kings, Napoleon, an intrepid researcher who traveled far and wide to find ancient manuscripts. Shepherds in caves in the desert, persecution, exile, the Vatican. Scribes who hand wrote copies of ancient texts. The unavoidable errors of omission and addition. 1 The papyrus sheets first used as paper for the New Testament that did not last more than a decade. No original manuscripts but ancient copies maintained as treasures. Dramatic discoveries of fragments. At least one scholar reportedly working to his dying breath on an important translation. 2

Translation of the Bible is itself quite a story. The first known translation of the Old Testament happened about 300 years before Jesus’ birth. Many of the Jews had lost their knowledge of Hebrew during generations of captivity. So the Old Testament was translated into Greek, the widespread language then.3 Seventy Jewish scholars were reportedly brought to Alexandria, Egypt, to prepare a translation for King Ptolemy’s famous great library there. Then thousands of copies were made and sent to Jews across the land. This translation, called the Septuagint from the word for seventy, is the version Jesus himself quotes.4

Today, copies of the Septuagint remain and are still used by scholars, but we have no original Old or New Testaments. Translators must compare the oldest manuscripts available, and teams of scholars are still needed. In addition, the languages of the Old and New Testaments can be especially challenging to translate. The ancient Hebrew of the Old Testament (with some Aramaic) has no vowels, and spaces are often omitted between words to save space.5 It can also require twice as many words in English and other languages to convey its meaning.6

In the 900s (and before), a group of Jewish scholars near the Sea of Galilee worked together to standardize a Hebrew version of the Old Testament.7 This work is still referenced for translation of the Old Testament into other languages. The scholars, however, decided to add some vowels to help with understanding and this opened up the possibility of changes in meaning.8 An eminent Old Testament scholar believes the addition of these vowels may have impacted the translation of an important statement about women in Genesis.9 (The next chapter explains.)

In the 1940s, scholars the world over were thrilled when Bedouin shepherds discovered old scrolls in caves that contained parts of the Old Testament. These Dead Sea Scrolls were probably hidden to protect them from marauding enemies of the Jews. Much older than the Galilee translation, they are an invaluable resource.10

The ancient Greek of the New Testament is also challenging. It is very different from today’s Greek and has no modern punctuation, verse numbers, or paragraphs to guide the reader or translator.

A single Greek word can have multiple meanings and may require a phrase or sentence to translate it into another language. Greek verbs and rare words are especially difficult to translate.11 Scholars point out that the Greek of the New Testament can also be free, taking on new meanings in the context of the Gospel.12 And both Greek and Hebrew speakers indulge in plays on words (a favorite of Paul) that can be impossible to translate fully into other languages.13

Bruce Metzger, longtime professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and chair of the translation committee for the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, says no translation of the Scriptures is perfect, as anyone who has tried to make one will readily agree.14 Duplicating another language in translation is considered virtually impossible, and there is always room for improvement.15 The New International Version agrees that the work of translation is never finished. This applies to all great literature and uniquely so to the Bible.16

So we continue to have new translations, aided by dramatic discoveries of ancient documents and ongoing research by scholars illuminating the texts.17 And part of this work is to correct bias, conscious or unconscious, in translation choices. Scholars tell us that such bias has occurred even since the earliest known translation, the Septuagint.18

If bias occurs in the verses related to male and female leadership, this can have significant impact. Some instances of such cases have been addressed and changed in current translations, but others have not.

So what does the Bible really say about male-female leadership? This is still being debated, and the following chapters explore top scholars’ work on this topic. One translator said he needed to spend as much time on his knees praying for God’s guidance as doing the actual craft of translation. May we follow his lead as we study.

2

Male and female . . .

In the beginning, God created male and female in his image, blessed them, and told them to rule over the earth. 1 Scholars tell us that the word for that first human, ‘adam, means made from the earth and carries here the meaning of humanity. Adam as a personal name does not appear until later in Genesis. 2 From the side of that being, (said to be more accurate than the rib), God forms woman. 3

The woman is described with a two-word Hebrew phrase sometimes translated as a helper, a helper suitable, or a helpmeet.4 Helpmeet came from the King James Version of the Bible in the 17th century, when meet meant fit to or corresponding. Through time it morphed into the English helpmate.5 When the King James Version was written, though, Hebrew had not been in use much for centuries, and the understanding of its vocabulary was inadequate, including apparently the word sometimes translated helper.6

Distinguished Old Testament scholar and seminary president Walter Kaiser says that in the ancient Hebrew the first word of the phrase, sometimes translated as help, should be strength or power.7 In fact, this word is used more than a dozen times in the Old Testament to describe the kind of help God himself gives.8 It is not one of the four Hebrew words that describes a subordinate help. Kaiser says a more accurate translation of the original two-word phrase for the creation of woman would be a power or strength corresponding to the man.9

Before the woman was formed, God gave instructions to the human being about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. From what the woman says, the man, not God, told her about it after she was formed. But she is deceived by the serpent into eating from that tree. The man, who the Bible says is there with her, eats of it too.10 When God confronts them, the woman tells God the serpent deceived her. The man then blames God for creating the woman who gave him the fruit.

After God curses the serpent and prophesies of one who will come through the woman to crush the serpent’s head, God speaks of the future of both the man and woman. Some translations in English say God will increase the woman’s pain in childbirth. Walter Kaiser, however, points out that God is not the source of evil, and vowels added to the original Hebrew by a later group of scholars could have affected this translation.11 Kaiser considers a more accurate translation to be, "A snare [from the enemy] has increased your sorrow and sighing."12 To the man, God says he will toil for food on ground that is now cursed.

Scholars address whether the sin of the man or woman was greater than the other. What was the impact of being deceived versus willful obedience? The woman blaming the enemy but the man blaming God? The man hearing the prohibition directly from God but the woman hearing it from the man? The woman tasting of the fruit first and giving some to the man? The man not speaking up about what God had said to him? Some verses seem to point to greater responsibility by the man, for whatever reason (it is not stated), but unquestionably both sinned.13

When God says the woman will turn away toward the man, scholars have said this may mean