What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:15, “But women will be saved through childbearing– if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety (NIV)”? Let’s be honest…most of us either skim straight past this verse, with a shrug of the shoulders and some bemused muttering, or find it highly problematic – “What about… Continue reading Saved Through Childbearing (1 Timothy 2:15)
Category: New Testament
The Transformative Gospel – Sermon on John 4
What does it look like to live a life transformed by the Gospel? The story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John chapter 4 gives us a glimpse of some of the ways in which this woman’s life was transformed by meeting Jesus. If you’ve ever wondered “but what happened next in her… Continue reading The Transformative Gospel – Sermon on John 4
Who’s Who in Paul’s Greetings in Romans 16 (Part 1)
Okay, confession time: do your eyes glaze over when you read that long list of greetings in Romans 16? Maybe, like me, you’ve been part of a Bible study that looked at each chapter of Romans week by week, only to come to an abrupt halt after chapter 15, because it was considered that there… Continue reading Who’s Who in Paul’s Greetings in Romans 16 (Part 1)
Q&A: Is a Feminist Reading of the Bible Possible?
This question was asked in an online group I am a member of, by a person who describes herself as a “healthy sceptic” about religion. This is a somewhat expanded and edited version of my answer to her question in that forum. Q: Bronwen, after reading the Bible (King James version) please explain how it… Continue reading Q&A: Is a Feminist Reading of the Bible Possible?
Change is Difficult – Reflections on Galatians 3:28
Here’s a confession – I’m not always too fond of change. Not too long ago, I bought a new drink bottle that caused me a bit of trouble to start with. It sucks the water up through a straw. It took me a while to get it into my head that I had to hold… Continue reading Change is Difficult – Reflections on Galatians 3:28
Easter Women – a Resurrection Sunday Reflection
*This is not by any means an exegetical piece. It is more in the nature of a fictitious retelling of the events of the first Good Friday and Easter Sunday from the imagined perspective of the women at the tomb and cross. Some details come directly from Scripture, some are creative licence … Sunday morning creeps… Continue reading Easter Women – a Resurrection Sunday Reflection
Samaritan Sinner, Celebrated Saint: The Story of the First Christian Missionary
The Samaritan Woman – John 4 This article first appeared in the Winter 2016 edition of Mutuality (www.cbeinternational.org). In April 2017, it received 4th place in the “Personality” category of the Evangelical Press Association Higher Goals in Christian Journalism Awards. When I was a child, a popular Australian women’s magazine had a regular section on “Great Women of… Continue reading Samaritan Sinner, Celebrated Saint: The Story of the First Christian Missionary
Q&A: What’s with women having to be silent in church in 1 Corinthians 14?
This article was originally presented as a brief talk at the Christians for Biblical Equality Perth chapter gathering on 2 September, 2017. One thing that is commonly claimed by complementarians is that they simply follow the “clear meaning of the text” (with the inference that egalitarians are making up difficulties that distract from the text’s… Continue reading Q&A: What’s with women having to be silent in church in 1 Corinthians 14?
Q&A: Are Husbands to Lead Their Wives?
Q: Bronwen, my friend says that husbands are created by God to be leaders of their wives and families. When I asked for her biblical evidence of this belief, she said 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. These passages do seem to say quite clearly that men are to manage their families (which is the same as… Continue reading Q&A: Are Husbands to Lead Their Wives?
Mary, Did You Know?
Parenthood is a (presumably lifelong) state of wishing and hoping, what-ifs and wondering. It starts with pregnancy. What if something goes wrong? Let’s not tell anyone until we reach the “magic” three month mark. What sex will my baby be? Will I be a good parent? How much is labour going to hurt? After the… Continue reading Mary, Did You Know?
God's Design - Perth 