Submitted to the Faculty of Theology and Religion Studies in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Theology in the Department of Missiology, Religion Studies and Practical Theology at the University of Zululand, 2003. / This dissertation focusses on the biblical role of women in the contemporary church, taking into account God's original plan and purpose for women in Genesis 1 and 2, the changes which occurred as a result of the Fall in Genesis 3, and the influence of the various cultures and traditions, especially in the Old Testament period, on the attitudes toward and treatment of women. Jesus' apparently revolutionary attitude towards women challenged the Jewish status quo, directing the people back to His Father's original plan and purpose for the relationship between men and women. His attitude is reflected in the teachings of the apostles in the New Testament, women being spiritually equal before God, yet having different and complementary roles and functions to fulfil. The clear hierarchical structure of authority which was laid down by God in the beginning, is therefore reinforced through Scripture. The strong influence of feminism over the past century is investigated, where women are demanding equal rights in all spheres. As a result, the call for full ordination of women within the Church is now widely acceptable even in evangelical circles. It appears that women are "abandoning" the biblical role which God ordained for them. The aim of this study is to explore the validity of women in leadership roles within the church and whether this practice deviates from God's original plan revealed in His Word or not. The research seeks to trace this tendency in some mainline churches and to prove the hypothesis that this is due to a misinterpretation of the Scriptures and a lack of biblical teaching on this subject. The central finding is that there certainly is confusion among today's Christians on this issue, and that feminist thinking has drawn both pastors and laity alike away from the biblical principles of authority. The study concludes that women do have a very crucial role to play in the contemporary church, a vast number of ministries being open to them, allowing them to exercise all their spiritual gifts. The only biblical restraint and prohibition, however, is that they are not permitted to preach, teach, lead or rule over men in any way within the church, such positions of authority being reserved for men only. Women should therefore be discouraged from assuming leadership over men, and should spend more time encouraging men to lead in a godly manner, both in the home and in the church, so that they might fulfil their God-ordained purpose. My submission is that if men and women live and serve Him within the authority structure which He has set in place, God will surely be glorified and His kingdom extended.

Having been a male dominated pursuit, Bible interpretation has long reflected a male bias and encouraged sexual stereotyping in the study of biblical characters. The history of Jewish Bible interpretation and the traditional Jewish emphasis on works of specific exegetes have, in turn, colored the educational materials used in Jewish school curricula and stereotypes have been perpetuated as elementary school children study the Bible. This thesis focuses on eight women in Scripture. After examining the Bible, selected rabbinic exegetical works are studied to see how this literature reflects or changes the Bible's image. A review of textbooks and teaching tools used for Bible study follows to see how these educational materials present the biblical women, whether or not they mirror classical Jewish perspectives on biblical women, and if they offer a varied portrait of the figures.

Gilligan, Perry, Belenky et al., and Baxter Magolda have spoken the loudest on epistemological development in past decades with numerous follow-up studies that sought to confirm and add to their ideas. Christian higher education has generally accepted or sought to integrate these models which include developmental prescriptions rooted in sub-biblical presuppositions—namely constructivism, feminism, and egalitarianism. This research asserts a series of competencies for redemptive development among women, one that is rooted in a thoroughgoing biblical-worldview and from a complementarian perspective. It employs David Powlison’s epistemological priorities as a trajectory for critically considering existing theoretical paradigms. Specifically, this project examines the developmental ideas of Gilligan, Belenky et al., and Baxter Magolda. This thesis proposes a series of developmental priorities and competencies, from an evangelical, complementarian perspective.

Please read the abstract in the section, 09summary of this dokument / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / PhD / Unrestricted

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Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / D.Th.(Systematic Theology)

Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th.(Systematic Theology)

Throughout church history, traditional interpretations of I Timothy 2:8-3:1 (a) have excluded women from ordained ministry in the church universal. The aim of this dissertation was to propose an alternative hermeneutical framework to effect fresh understanding of this text. A social-scientific approach utilised . models from sociology and communication theory. The socio-religious climate of Asia Minor particularly Ephesus between 59 and 64 C E is described. An assessment is made of the status of women in Asia Minor as well as in Hellenism, Romanism and Judaism. A textual analysis provided pointers to the aspects under research. Research findings strongly suggest that neither the text or the world beyond can be used to exclude women from full participation at all levels in the church. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.A. (Biblical Studies)

Throughout church history, traditional interpretations of I Timothy 2:8-3:1 (a) have excluded women from ordained ministry in the church universal. The aim of this dissertation was to propose an alternative hermeneutical framework to effect fresh understanding of this text. A social-scientific approach utilised . models from sociology and communication theory. The socio-religious climate of Asia Minor particularly Ephesus between 59 and 64 C E is described. An assessment is made of the status of women in Asia Minor as well as in Hellenism, Romanism and Judaism. A textual analysis provided pointers to the aspects under research. Research findings strongly suggest that neither the text or the world beyond can be used to exclude women from full participation at all levels in the church. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.A. (Biblical Studies)

In Congolese society, heterosexual marriage is a highly regarded institution that is viewed as contributing significantly to the true identities of women. In this study, I use Masenya’s terminologies, “idolization of marriage” and “marriage at all costs”, as springboards to re-read the story of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible in light of the experiences of Congolese women who tend to regard marriage as a norm. I have analysed and critiqued patriarchy as it has shaped the lives of biblical women (cf the Ruth character in the Hebrew Bible) as well as it continues to shape the lives of many Congolese women. Although in some sense, the Ruth character can be emulated in terms of her sense of independence, in terms of her commitment to seeking marriage at all costs though, Ruth, cannot be a helpful model to the lives of many poor Anamongo women who today trapped in poverty, continue to regard heterosexual marriage as the norm in their search for survival, security, and value. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M. Th. (Old Testament)