Gifted Women in the Church | CT Books

[Also: Christianity INC] Also: Christianity INC | [View online]( [ChristianityToday.org]( [CT Books newsletter]( Tuesday, August 08, 2017 Gifted Women in the Church No question about it: Alice Mathews is a remarkably gifted women. She enjoyed a long career at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, both as a faculty member and an academic dean. For over two decades, she co-hosted a Bible-themed radio program, Discover the Word, with the late Haddon Robinson. She has written numerous Bible studies geared toward women, along with a preaching guide, [Preaching That Speaks to Women](. And as a gifted woman actively involved in church ministries, Mathews wants to roll back hurdles that prevent other gifted women from participating more fully in the church's life. That mission animates her latest book, [Gender Roles and the People of God: Rethinking What We Were Taught about Men and Women in the Church](. In CT's [interview with Mathews]( I was especially struck by her eagerness to identify Satan as the principal force holding women back, rather than sexism, patriarchy, or something else in that vein (though I'm sure she would not dismiss these factors altogether). "Satan," she insists, "is at war against women. Satan knows that if he can keep women out of service, in the church and in the world, he will have won an enormous victory. "And so this isn't just a matter of letting women into the sandbox. It's about half of God's people being put on the sidelines and denied the use of their gifts. God desires that men and women join hands and work together in ministry, and that men acknowledge the essential role women play in defeating the work of the Enemy." Christianity INC Richard John Neuhaus was the Catholic half of the duo responsible for launching the movement called Evangelicals and Catholics Together (with Charles Colson representing the evangelical side). In his writings, Neuhaus would occasionally refer to the "weird and wonderful" world of "evangelicaldom." As an ally on many questions of faith in the public square, he greatly admired evangelical piety and moral passion. But he remained keenly aware of the sheer strangeness that proliferates in parts of our subculture. Whatever your stereotype of evangelicals, he realized, you can find it validated somewhere in a country as large and varied as America. Neuhaus's "weird and wonderful" terminology came to mind as I was editing [Bob Smietana's wide-ranging interview]( with Brad Christerson and Richard Flory, authors of [The Rise of Network Christianity: How Independent Leaders are Changing the Religious Landscape](. The book analyzes the phenomenon of "Independent Network Charismatic" (or INC) Christianity, whose "apostles" and "prophets," operating outside any formal church oversight, are drawing enormous crowds by claiming to offer a more direct experience of God's power. "For the young people," Christerson told CT, "they're searching for meaning, and they're also looking for adventure and excitement. These kinds of churches appeal to them in ways that traditional congregation just can't. They are not merely trying to learn how to know God, live a godly life, or share their faith with other people. They really believe they are participating in this cosmic spiritual battle to transform the world. They are involved in this battle for whole cities and nations … For many people, that's more exciting than a 45-minute sermon examining the Greek terms from Paul's writings." Personally, I'd describe this form of faith as more weird than wonderful. I would not want to see it become the "future of Christianity in America," as the authors predict. But I'm glad to have CT shine an occasional spotlight on some of the more exotic corners of evangelicaldom. [Matt Reynolds](mailto:ctbooks@ChristianityToday.com), Associate Editor, Books Christianity Today To reply to this newsletter: ctbooks@christianitytoday.com Add newsletter@lists.christianitytoday.com to your address book. [Featured Articles]( [Why Churches Should Give Gifted Women a Chance]( God's people can't unite against the Enemy when half of them are on the sidelines. Interview by Hannah Anderson [The 'Prophets' and 'Apostles' Leading the Quiet Revolution in American Religion]( A Christian movement characterized by multi-level marketing, Pentecostal signs and wonders, and post-millennial optimism. Interview by Bob Smietana More from Christianity Today [Missions Sunday: The Missing Key to the Refugee Crisis: Christian Hospitality towards Muslims (Part Two)]( A biblical view of hospitality can offer a corrective to the current view of refugees. ['They Call Us Monsters' Offers a More Compassionate Brand of Juvenile Justice]( Ben Lear's directorial debut humanizes the debate about adult prison sentences for juvenile offenders. [How God Works in Spite of Immigration Status]( Newcomers to America are figuring out how to share the gospel no matter money or papers. Follow Us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [RSS]( [Subscribe to this newsletter]( IN THE MAGAZINE [Current Issue]( [How to Find Hope in the Humanless Economy]( [Immigrants Are Reshaping American Missions]( [How God Sent His Word to An Iraqi Interpreter]( [View Full Issue]( [Subscribe Now]( Related CT Newsletters [CT Entertainment]( Reviews and perspectives on movies, TV, and music. [Sign Up Now]( [CT Connection]( The official newsletter of the global media ministry. [Sign Up Now]( [CT Books]( Delivered via email to subscribers weekly. 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