During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology Alli and I are diving deep into the swirling waters of gender discrimination disguised as biblically-sound exegesis. Recent polls have revealed that for the first time in American church history, young women are leaving mainline Christian congregations at a higher rate than young men and one of the main reasons cited is their observation and/or personal experience with misogyny. With being treated as “less than” simply because they’re female. Thankfully, despite culture’s penchant for the prejudicial treatment of women, God’s redemptive plan reveals itself over and over again in the metanarrative of the Bible, as evidenced by several Old and New Testament stories we’re going to unpack on the porch today. And while we’re calling this episode “Let’s hear it for the girls” we sincerely hope that all of you amazing brothers who’ve pulled up a chair to the porch will stay; because gentlemen, we need you. You’re in a unique position and have more potential than you probably even realize to help broken hearted daughters in the family of faith heal. We need more than a few good and godly men who will stand up for what the Bible really says it comes to this painful, and often polarizing issue. So please grab an extra-large iced beverage and your Bible – unless, of course, you’ve got your hands full skimming frogs out of the pool as we get ready for summer - and come hang out on the porch with us. We’re really glad you’re here.