"Receive Her In The Lord:" Intro

It is a stereotype too often popularized by an Anglicized, hierarchical Christianity that the women of the Gospels were characterized either by passive, quiet obedience, or by dangerously tempting beauty.  The myth persists in popular culture as well as theological circles that women in biblical texts were to be either acquired or avoided. This misconception is a function not of the content or intention of the original texts but of the modern cultural lenses through which the Gospels are often interpreted.

A deeper exploration into the world of first-century Christianity reveals that the women who accompanied and followed Christ were anything but passive. Their stories are characterized by remarkable courage, spiritual and bodily autonomy, and radical service to the poor. Not only did they work to break down the social and political barriers which they were faced with, but they embraced leadership roles within the Church, finding in the teachings of Christ a place of empowerment and purpose.

The women of the New Testament are known by many names: apostle, hostess, preacher, deacon, and many more. Who were these fearless, holy women? What roles did they play in the early story of Christianity? And what lessons can they bring to the twenty-first century Church?