Women doing theology and apologetics? What?

Recently, my friend Chris Date interviewed someone on a very interesting topic: women and apologetics.  I must admit I was quite taken back when I started listening to this podcast.  I wasn't surprised because Chris was interviewing an apologist who happens to be a female; I was surprised because he was interviewing her on what seems to be a "no no" topic these days.

I say this because i've always wondered why it is that women are rarely interested in theology and apologetics.  When I ask this question to others, I seem to get responses such as, "well, women just aren't academically inclined like men are."  What?  I find this hard to swallow.  I'm not sure what the statistics are, but I would imagine the number of women college students in the U.S. is pretty high.

At any rate, Chris Date was brave enough to ask Mary Jo Sharp the tough questions as it relates to why women aren't normally inclined to thinking biblically on an intellectual level.  To be more specific (just in case any female readers are outraged by such a statement), you don't see too many women digging into systematic theology textbooks and the like.  Its not that they can't; they just don't.

Mary Jo Sharp is quite the exception.  Not only has she studied apologetics, but she teaches and debates as well.  Of course, no one is saying that all women should be like this (just as not all men should be like this).  But she is saying that all men and women are called to study the word and be prepared to "make a defense." (1 Peter 3:15)

Most likely, if you are a man or woman reading this, you are already interested in theology and apologetics to some extent.  Otherwise, I couldn't imagine why you'd be reading my blog!  Anyway, I hope you all will spread the word about Mary Jo Sharp and what she is doing to get women involved in theology and apologetics.  I think the fact that Mary is a women will help other women to relate, as she explains in the interview.  So if you are a women and are hesitant to get involved in theology and apologetics, or simply don't know where to start; here's a perfect opportunity!

To listen to the interview between Chris Date and Mary Jo Sharp, go HERE

To check out Mary Jo Sharp's website (where she has her own podcast), go HERE

To check out Mary Jo Sharp's podcast, go HERE

Book Review: "Two Views on Women in Ministry."

This was the first “counterpoint series” book that I’ve ever read, and I must say that I was very impressed. I’m the sort of person that likes to read all sides of the issue and come to my own conclusion. And rather than pick up 5 different books on the subject, I thought that I would pick up one like this and see if there was enough information to make a reasonable decision. I must say that my expectations were met.

The issue is, what roles do women play in church ministry and what are the limitations? Though only two primary views are given, four authors contributed. I was impressed by this because each author offered unique perspectives. In particular, I was very impressed by Linda Bellville’s egalitarian perspective because of the technical insight that was given. And judging from the other views that were given, Linda Bellville is probably the best that the egalitarian has to offer.

Though the complementary contributors didn’t offer the technical insight that Bellville gave, their arguments were solid and well established. At any rate, this is a book that is worth reading and worthy of in depth study. And I couldn’t imagine a better resource than this book. From now on, when I am researching a controversial topic, the counterpoint series books will be the first on my list.