Date

4-29-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)

Chair

Denise Pass

Keywords

Women in ministry; gender issues and leadership; leadership in Scripture; leadership in the New Testament; egalitarian doctrine; women’s involvement in church leadership; Pauline theology; scriptural hermeneutics; grammatico-historical exposition; historical and cultural background; Greco-Roman society; Second Temple Judaism; early Christian era; history of the Church; Council of Laodicea; patristic theology; ecclesiology; charisms; Spirit-filled leadership; κεφαλή (kephalē); αὐθεντεῖν (authentein); διάκο

Disciplines

Practical Theology

Abstract

God originally made male and female in His image, imparting to them a shared authority over creation. They were co-heirs equal in purpose, mission, and value. However, cultural practices and patriarchal traditions have long obscured this original biblical design. Consider a qualified young woman in a local church, called, talented, and valued by her congregation, yet repeatedly overlooked for preaching and teaching positions because of her gender. Her story is not unique. This misapplication of Scripture not only harms women but also weakens the body of Christ and impedes the church’s testimony to the gospel. Accurate comprehension of the Bible in its proper literary, historical, and cultural context opens the door for women to become leaders in areas where they have been traditionally excluded. This thesis aims to demonstrate that God ordains a hierarchy in creation, marriage, and the church; however, this hierarchy does not imply gender limitations on leadership. Instead, it presents a Scripture-based interpretation supported by the witness of the early church and recent scholarship, showing that limited interpretations of women’s roles can reflect more cultural attitudes than theological necessities. When the Bible is interpreted correctly, women and men can serve together, creating a culture of mutual respect in Christ. More than just an academic addition to biblical and theological conversations, women’s roles have a significant impact on the church and the Great Commission. It will be shown that allowing women to minister is not in contradiction to biblical truth but rather a valid response to the message and mission of the gospel. Finally, by adhering to the biblically ordained roles for women and men throughout Scripture, the church can most fully bear the image of God as He created it. Rooted in biblical and theological foundations of mutual service, this dissertation affirms women’s role in New Testament leadership by harmonizing scriptural truth with cultural context.

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