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Women
in the Early Christian Church |
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Contemporary emphasis on women's rights and
equality has focused attention on the role women should play in today's
Christianity. Some rely on cultural values or theological
implications, but some people look for guidance in scripture or
historical precedent. Occasionally, the debate is heated and
intense, with unfounded claims dotting the rhetoric.
Unfortunately, too often people make errant and
misleading statements when referring to historical
precedent. Since few are acquainted with the historical record, misunderstanding and misinformation is easily passed
off as authentic and accurate conclusions.
Women in the Early Christian Church is a
thorough examination of the extant writings remaining from early
Christianity. The booklet reviews the information that has
reasonable claims for authorship during three time periods in the
history of the early church: the era when the apostles
administered church affairs, the next
few generations that succeeded those disciples, and influential
Christians from the third and fourth centuries.
The copious quotations from works written during those centuries reveals
a robust role for women in the proclamation of gospel and the care of
the saints.
But what do the remaining records reveal about women's ordination?
Were they ever set apart to priestly roles? Did they
baptize, ordain and serve the Eucharist as men did? The early
Christians were not silent on this issue. They left sufficient
information for researchers to form conclusions about whether women
served the apostolic church as priests. |
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38 pages divided into 7 chapters |
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