Mutuality Matters

In this episode, Dr. Hélène Dallaire joins the discussion on biblical translation biases and the importance of accurately reflecting women in Scripture. The conversation covers how English readers can detect biases, the significance of diverse translation teams, and the dangers of relying on one translation alone. Dr. Dallaire emphasizes the need for critical examination of key passages on women, men, and marriage, advocating for interpretations that reflect women’s biblical equality. She shares insights from her course material about women in the ancient Near East to deepen understanding of biblical women. The episode encourages listeners to use multiple translations and engage with egalitarian resources to enhance their comprehension of Scripture. 

• The Baker Illustrated Study Bible 

• Apollos OT Commentary Series by IVP 

• Dr. Dallaire has published articles and chapters in: 

• “Gender Issues and the Role of Women in Joshua,” In Formation and Interpretation of Old Testament Literature. Leiden, Brill 

• “Women: Let’s Use Our Voices - Psalm 68:12;” “Daughter of Zion/Jerusalem – Zephaniah 3:14-17;” and “A Woman in a Basket – Zechariah 5,” in Every Woman’s Bible, Tyndale 

• A review of Carol Meyer’s, Rediscovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context (Oxford) in the Journal of the Evangelical Study of the Old Testament 

• “Women in the OT: A Legacy to Build On” for Denver Seminary’s Engage Magazine 

Hélène teaches courses on Women in the Old Testament, the Ancient Near East, and Women’s Leadership for the Association of Theological Schools, and with a CBE chapter locally. She serves on the board of the CBE Denver Chapter. Hélène received a 2024 CBE Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Related Resources 

Presumption and Bias in Bible Translation 

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. 

In this episode of Mutuality Matters, Christy Mesaros-Winckles traces women’s ordination and leadership in the Free Methodist Church. Highlighting three women evangelists, and a key ally in their efforts to attain ordination, Mesaros-Winckles traces shift of the Free Methodist Church from very inclusive to exclusive. Mesaros-Winckles speaks to the power of the messages people absorbed as society shifted, specifically in the context of a strong anti-suffragist movement. These messages slowed the egalitarian movement, silencing women and ordination until 1974.  

Bio  

Dr. Christy Mesaros-Winckles is an associate professor in the Communication Arts & Sciences Department at Adrian College. She has a doctorate degree in Communication Studies from Bowling Green State University and is a two-time graduate of Spring Arbor University, where she completed both her Bachelor of Arts in communication and her Master of Arts in communication studies/professional writing. The author of several academic book chapters and peer-reviewed research articles, she strives to make her research accessible to a wider audience through her blog Free Methodist Feminist.  

Resources Referenced 

Silenced: The Forgotten Story of Progressive Era Free Methodist Women by Christy Mesaros-Winckles

Ordaining Women (1893) by Benjamin Titus Roberts

Book Review by Kimberly Dickson: "Silenced: The Forgotten Story of Progressive Era Free Methodist Women," Priscilla Papers, Summer 2024. 

Related Resources from CBE 

Disclaimer  

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.  

This episode is a part of a new segment of the Mutuality Matters podcast, hosted by Tara and Todd Korpi. In this segment we discuss headship theology––dynamics of power, authority, and gender, and how they function in Christian homes, the local church and society as a whole. We’re joined by the Rev. Dr. Heather Matthews, program manager for the Doctor of Ministry program at Wheaton College Graduate School and author of Confronting Sexism in the Church to talk about a theology of antisexism and creating environments where women and men lead in interdependence and mutuality. 

Bios: 

The Rev. Dr. Heather Matthews is the Doctor of Ministry program manager at Wheaton College Graduate School. Dr. Matthews has also worked as a pastor, church planter, non-profit leader, and global worker for over twenty years. 

Heather has a DMin from Fuller Seminary, an MA in Educational Ministry and an MA in Counseling Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. 

Heather’s area of expertise is women in church leadership. She is the author of Confronting Sexism in the Church: How We Got Here and What We Can Do About It (IVP 2024). 

Heather’s broad range of personal and professional experience allows her to teach and consult on topics including abuse and trauma; gender and sexuality; healthy Christian leadership; church planting and pastoral ministry; marriage and divorce; betrayal and pornography; social and racial justice issues, cross-cultural issues, and local and global mission. 

Heather has four children and lives in the Chicago suburbs. 

Resources by Dr. Heather Matthews: 

Confronting Sexism in the Church 

Heathermatthews.com 

Related CBE Resources:  

Groanings of a New Creation: Racism and Sexism in the World Church 

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. 

In this episode of Mutuality Matters, “Women in Words: Bible Translation and Why it Matters,” Dr. Helene Dallaire, who holds a PhD in Hebraic and Cognate Studies and serves as the Earl S. Callen Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Denver Seminary, shares insights on the complexities of Bible translation, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and women in biblical scholarship. She highlights examples from her work in Israel, the Philippines, and with various Bible translation organizations, and emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives in translation teams to avoid biases and achieve accurate translations. The episode touches on the universality of biblical messages and the unique challenges faced by women in different cultural contexts. 

00:00 Introduction to Mutuality Matters 

00:40 Introducing Dr. Hélène Dallaire 

02:37 Hélène's Journey into Bible Translation 

07:30 Experiences in Bible Translation 

19:48 Complexities and Challenges in Translation 

27:13 Addressing Bias in Bible Translation

Guest Bio  

• The Baker Illustrated Study Bible 

• Apollos OT Commentary Series by IVP 

• Dr. Dallaire has published articles and chapters in: 

• “Gender Issues and the Role of Women in Joshua,” In Formation and Interpretation of Old Testament Literature. Leiden, Brill 

• “Women: Let’s Use Our Voices - Psalm 68:12;” “Daughter of Zion/Jerusalem – Zephaniah 3:14-17;” and “A Woman in a Basket – Zechariah 5,” in Every Woman’s Bible, Tyndale 

• A review of Carol Meyer’s, Rediscovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context (Oxford) in the Journal of the Evangelical Study of the Old Testament 

• “Women in the OT: A Legacy to Build On” for Denver Seminary’s Engage Magazine 

Hélène teaches courses on Women in the Old Testament, the Ancient Near East, and Women’s Leadership for the Association of Theological Schools, and with a CBE chapter locally. She serves on the board of the CBE Denver Chapter. Hélène received a 2024 CBE Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Related Resources 

Presumption and Bias in Bible Translation 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. 

This episode is a part of the Home, Church, and World theme of the Mutuality Matters podcast, hosted by Tara and Todd Korpi. In this episode we discuss dynamics of power, authority, and gender, and how they function in Christian homes, the local church and society. We’re joined by Dr. Mark Chironna, who is a Pentecostal bishop, semiotician, and founding pastor of Church on the Living Edge in Longwood, Florida. Dr. Mark Chironna describes how the church is strengthened as a result of women and men leading in mutuality rather than headship. 

00:00 Welcome to Mutuality Matters 

00:31 Introduction to Headship Theology 

01:06 Interview with Dr. Mark Sharona 

02:01 Debunking Headship Theology 

02:36 Historical and Cultural Context 

07:03 Women in Ministry: Personal Experiences 

09:44 The Role of Women in Church History 

13:17 Theological Reflections on Women’s Biblical Equality 

26:48 Practical Steps for Church Leadership 

30:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 

Bios: [Source] 

Mark Chironna serves as a bishop in the International Communion of Charismatic Churches, and the presiding bishop of a network of related pastors and churches, as well as the founder and bishop protector of the Order of St. Maximus, a religious order in the tradition of the many orders that have existed in church history. He has pioneered local churches in Raleigh, North Carolina, as well as Longwood, Florida, where he currently serves as overseer of the Church on the Living Edge.  

Follow Mark on X or Facebook.

Read Mark’s latest book On the Edge of Hope. 

Related Resources

Pentecostal Women Leaders: The Interplay of Egalitarian Theology, Feminism, and Pentecostalism

Headship Madness: An Introduction to “Headship” (Part 1) 

Disclaimer 

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. 

In this episode, Kim Dickson talks with Dr. Nijay Gupta about the New Testament women he highlights in his Book Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. Women who are little known to the average contemporary Christian come alive as Nijay discusses the world in which these remarkable women lived, served, and suffered on behalf of Jesus. Nijay describes the importance of letter carriers in the Roman world and the significance of Paul choosing Phoebe for this important work. He also discusses the translation and theological issues that hid Junia’s apostleship as a woman. 

Bio  

Dr. Nijay K. Gupta is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. He has written or edited over twenty books including A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies, Paul and the Language of Faith, and the award-winning and bestselling Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. Gupta is also co-editor of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, and he is a senior translator for the New Living Translation.  

Related Resources: 

Find Nijay Gupta at his blog.

Resources mentioned in Interview  

Nijay Gupta, Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and MInistered in the Early Church, (Downers Grove, Il: IVP Academic, 2023).  

Paul and First-Century Letter Writing: Secretaries, Composition and Collection Paperback – October 22, 2004 by E. Randolph Richards 

More CBE Resources with Nijay Gupta 

Book Review: Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church by Brianna Cortez 

Mutuality Matters podcast: New Voices: Women and Authority in the Early Church with Dr. Nijay Gupta 

Galilee's Got Talent: How the Arts Empower Women 

Teach us, Mary: The Authority of Women Teachers in the Church in Light of the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) 

Mutuality Blog/Magazine: Why Deborah Makes All the Difference 

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests that do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.  

This episode is a part of a new segment of the Mutuality Matters podcast, hosted by Tara and Todd Korpi. In this segment we discuss headship theology—dynamics of power, authority, and gender, and how they function in Christian homes, the local church and society as a whole. We’re joined by Petra and Garry Scott, leaders of the ministry The Road to Jerusalem. In this episode they discuss headship in ministry and marriage, as well as navigating the complexities of headship theology as African American leaders. 

Bios: [Source] 

Petra Scott, President and CEO of The Road to Jerusalem: Petra Scott embraced her call to exposing the body of believers to the significance of One New Humanity in 2004. She experienced a deep revelation of the significance of the Jewish Culture of Jesus and how understanding this can enhance the faith expression of believers. She believes that demonstrations between Jews & Gentiles can change homes, communities, and the WORLD. 

Petra has experience in both the private and public sectors as a teacher, life coach, pastor, and consultant. She desires to see the philanthropic side of TRTJ flourish too something that will impact the kingdom. In addition to her passion for ministry Petra is a wife and mom, she has three children Darius, Devorah, and Isaac. She is the author of Intimacy: Unlearning Religion, Embracing God. 

Garry Scott, VP of Community Engagement of The Road to Jerusalem: Garry Scott has a passion and call to those who have been forgotten in society. He knows what it’s like to grow up in poverty and become a causality of the streets. Garry has devoted his life to helping those who are hard to reach and outcasted. In addition to his work with The Road to Jerusalem he works as a Northside Community Center Coordinator in Jacksonville, FL. His desire is to see lives transformed and violence cease at the Lord’s Table. 

Celebrating Black Women Leaders in Church and Society 

Mrs. Coretta Scott King: The Enduring Legacy of a Black Woman Leader 

Disclaimer: 

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. 

In this episode of Mutuality Matters, Rev. Dr. Marlon Winedt shows how the biblical narratives often oppose oppressive cultural practices. Examples include Mary and Mary who are portrayed as disciples. Jesus does not scold them for sitting at his feet versus feeding the disciples. Further, throughout Scripture, women are often subjects and not objects of leadership and discipleship. Consider Priscilla and Aquila, cited 6 times in the NT—texts in which Priscilla precedes her husband 4 of the 6 references according to the earliest, most reliable manuscripts. Later translations were altered in accommodating to patriarchal expectations by moving Aquila ahead of Priscilla. 

Other places that minimize women’s agency and voice include the preponderance of masculine pronouns and words like “brother.” In such cases it’s important to observe not only inconsistencies but also patterns that demean women like using feminine words to align women with negative qualities whereas masculine language represents positive characteristics. Or when Paul tells us we are all adopted as “sons,” which is legal language. Even so, translations work to preserve the legal notion that salvation is universal which always includes women. Other examples include words used to accurately translate Eve as ezer, meaning a worthy, strong partner versus a lowly assistant, a subordinate or subservient helper… making clear that ezer is most often used for God’s rescue! 

Marlon also considered the significant calling women had as church planters and as custodians of language, culture, and faith. In his region—the Caribbean—women led missionary activity—a leadership often not permitted in their northern context. In the Caribbean, the culture is also more pragmatic and women enjoy many roles denied them in the north. What is more, in the Caribbean, the narratives of Scripture have far greater weight than proclamation texts, here again elevating women often included in the narratives of the Bible.  

00:00 Introduction to Mutuality Matters 

00:38 Meet Marlon Winedt: Scholar and Translator 

02:24 Exploring Biblical Women and Cultural Contexts 

06:07 Translation Challenges and Gender Bias 

10:09 The Importance of Inclusive Language 

16:21 CBE Conference and Translation Efforts 

21:06 Global Perspectives on Women in Leadership 

28:51 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes 

Bio 

Rev. Dr. Marlon Winedt, a theologian, philosopher, and Bible translator, earned his BA in Theology/Philosophy from the University of Steubenville, Ohio (magna cum laude 1985) and his Drs-MA in Philosophy (cum laude) from the University of Tilburg (1988). He completed post-graduate work in Bible translation and linguistics (1996, 2001), earning a PhD in Bible Translation (1999), all at the Free University of Amsterdam. Engaged in Bible translation for 35 years, he contributed to the Common Language Papiamentu Bible and serves as a Bible Translation Consultant for the United Bible Societies, mentoring teams across the Caribbean and the Americas. He also trains translation consultants worldwide. Marlon, a pastor, radio host, and columnist, contributes to academic and popular discourse in various languages, with his fields of interests being, among others, biblical languages, Greco-Roman world, Performance Criticism and Creolistics. He resides with his wife Sandra on Curaçao, engaging in diverse international teaching roles.  

Related Resources 

Unveiling Old Testament Women with Accurate Translation 

She’s Not a Whore: Pejorative Language and Translation Bias in Ezekiel 16 

Vindicating the Vixens: How We View Bible Women Shapes Our Response to #MeToo 

Disclaimer: 

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. 

What could it look like for leaders to help their people embrace and embody a robust egalitarian conviction? “Emerging egalitarian” Dr. Jeff Liou, InterVarsity’s National Director of Theological Formation, joins Layla and Rob to reflect on his own journey with egalitarianism, and he offers a compelling picture of a theological formation process marked by humility, curiosity, deep community, and thoughtful encounters with difference.  

00:54 Guest Introduction: Jeff Liou's Background 

05:17 Discussion on Egalitarian Theological Formation 

15:18 Practical Advice for Egalitarian Leadership  

22:03 Final Thoughts and Resources 

Bio 

Dr. Jeff Ming Liou is the National Director of Theological Formation for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. He is also an affiliate assistant professor of Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, where he received his Ph.D. in Theology and Culture.  Jeff co-authored a book with Robert Chao Romero called Christianity and Critical Race Theory. Additionally, Liou has written papers on race and justice, Asian American Christianity, theological ethics, and political theology. Ordained in the Christian Reformed Church of North America, Liou has served as a campus minister, pastor, and university chaplain.  

Jeff’s podcast.

Jeff’s book. 

Jeff references the four quadrant quiz he created, click here to take. The quiz will ask for your email, but promises to not use it to contact you.

8 Ways The Church Can Advance Egalitarian Theology 

Becoming Egalitarian: Reconciling Experience with Scripture 

Disclaimer 

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.