Reviews

"Those who know the discussions about women in ministry as well as those about the relations of husbands and wives know the name Alan Padgett, and those who don't know the name need to do (and should have known it). Alan is one of the few theologians who has actually written on most of the debated passages in the Bible about women. And he has given us all a gift in taking all those writings, condensing and clarifying them into one very readable and important book. . . . I cannot speak enough to the alertness of this book to the history of interpretation, cultural context of each passage, and how to read such a text in the light of a gospel-centered (and he's on the side of the angels when it comes to 'gospel') approach to the Bible (historical, canonical, and Jesus-centered). . . . [An] exceptional book."

Scot McKnight,

Jesus Creed blog

"This book offers a truly distinctive contribution to the conversation on gender roles and leadership within church and family. Complementarians no doubt will take issue with various aspects of Padgett's treatment of the common sites of exegetical skirmish. But that is not where the real force of this book lies. Rather, it is the combination of a robust Christocentric hermeneutical method with the claim that Jesus explicitly lived out an ethic of mutual submission toward his disciples that presents a unique challenge to the complementarian perspective. And so, it is at the levels of hermeneutical method and christological ramification that this book should be appreciated and engaged."

Paul Rhodes Eddy,

Theological Studies

"[Padgett] has a laudable and long-established habit of encouraging [humility and mutual respect] in his writings. . . . Humility in theological discourse [does not] mean giving up one's stake in the truth of the gospel so much as it means acknowledging that others are in pursuit of this truth as well and that all may have something to learn from one another. It is mutual submission that Padgett champions, in his book's subject matter and in the manner of its undertaking. His text is instructive on both counts."

Katie M. Benjamin,

Lutheran Forum

"[This book] articulates a coherent biblical view of leadership, particularly in regard to gender roles. . . . Padgett clearly sides with the egalitarian view and provides sound biblical and theological reasoning for his position. . . . Padgett has made a valuable contribution to the conversation about biblical views of leadership and gender roles, one that takes seriously what it means to follow Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. His book merits careful consideration by all who care about Christ-centered leadership and community life."

Elisabeth Ann Johnson,

Word & World

"[A] concise yet very helpful treatment of the ethics of submission. . . . Padgett's work is an important one. His central insight about the distinction between two types of submission is crucial for us in seeking to understand the fullness of NT teaching and ethics. His call to mutual submission among all Christians, following the teaching and example of Jesus, is stirring and needed. . . . Padgett's explanation and defense of this central theme is the greatest strength of this book. Also valuable is its relative brevity and nontechnical style, which makes this book accessible and helpful to lay Christians as well as to pastors and scholars. . . . [Padgett's] broad picture of the NT ethic of mutual submission is undeniable, and it is crucial for every Christian. And for this, I am very grateful."

Steven C. Roy,

Trinity Journal

"Padgett's attempt to persuade his conservative evangelical readership to reassess its discrimination against women in church, home, and community is to be admired. . . . The emphasis on submission as expressed in actions of serving the needs of others articulates a core value which he rightly shows is paramount, at least in the gospels and undisputed letters of Paul. . . . This is a book which I hope reaches a wide audience in its constituency. It is to be applauded both for its clarity and for its focus on the core values which can be the basis for undermining the sexist discrimination it addresses."

William Loader,

Theology & Sexuality