CBE International

J. Dwayne Howell - "Victim-Blaming" and the David and Bathsheba Narrative

Many denominations have been affected by sexual abuse by their leaders in the past several years and the cover-ups that sought to hide it. Victims caught in such abuse are again victimized by institutions that were willing participants or entrapped by the leadership. Referred to as “victim-blaming”, this occurs when the leadership seeks to absolve itself by de?ecting personal accountability onto the victim. This is also related to toxic masculinity in churches, where the submission of females to males is emphasized. Often women are kept subordinate because they are seen as weak and are responsible for controlling men’s sexual desires. These situations set up opportunities for males to dominate the females, which leads to abuse.

The David and Bathsheba narrative of 1 Samuel 11 provides an example of such abuse. While the biblical text does not accuse Bathsheba of any wrongdoing in the narrative, various interpretations of the text seek to place Bathsheba as the temptress leading David astray. This session looks at these interpretations that blame Bathsheba for David’s fall and the implications for preaching and church leaders today.

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Date: 7/24/2024

Karen H. Jobes - Examining Julia Smith’s (1792–1886) Translation

This workshop will take a closer look at Julia Smith's (1792–1886) translation of Scripture in comparison to today's modern English version. Although the translation of the Bible is an ancient practice dating back to the 3rd century B.C., female Bible translators have been a rare and relatively modern happening. This session will present and reflcet on Julia Smith's translation of Scripture as perhaps the first Bible to be translated by a woman.

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Date: 7/24/2024

Hélène Dallaire - The Women of Israel: Treasures from Ancient Near Eastern Literature

Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) literature provides a wealth of information on the status of women in the home, in public, in the economy, religion, healthcare, the law, and countless other contexts in Israel and beyond during the biblical period. From Mesopotamia to Egypt, scribes (female and male) recorded details that enlighten us on the lives of women in ancient Israel. Through the legacy of scribes, we learn about pregnancy, childbirth, youth, home life, sexuality, violence against women, barrenness, abortion, trade by women, literacy, the lives of privileged women, and much more. In this session, we will examine some of the literary treasures that help understand the role of women in Israel.

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Date: 7/26/2024

Alan Myatt - Women in Missions: Leaders on the Field, but Not at Home

Missionary women have a long history of leadership on the mission field, but in many denominations are restricted from leadership positions in their home countries. This session will focus on the rich history of women in leadership in South America and Brazil, and how to help egalitarian outreach in those contexts continue to grow.

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Date: 7/26/2024

Charles Read - Words for God 101: An Introduction to Gendered Language and Imagery in Scripture

This workshop is a basic introduction to the gendered language for God. It will look at biblical images for God and discuss why this issue is important. It will also help us to see that the Bible describes God in a much broader variety of ways than we often think and that it is not helpful to talk about God only using male imagery. Finally, it will look at the implications of this discussion for Christian worship and for the way in which we preach, evangelise, and generally talk about God.

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Date: 7/26/2024

Nijay K. Gupta - Her Story Alone: Identity and Authority without Contingency

In this presentation, Nijay Gupta shares some of his vision for the sequel to his award-winning and bestselling book Tell Her Story. This follow-up book is entitled: God Spoke through Her: Women Prophets as God’s Spokespersons in Scripture. While Genesis 1–2 casts a vision for women and men leading together, there are many key moments in Scripture where women engage in leadership without men by their sides. Insofar as these moments come according to the will, calling, and blessing of God, they represent validation of the identity and authority of women leaders.

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Date: 7/25/2024

Andrew Bartlett - Genesis 1–3, Galatians 3:28, and the Full Complementarity of Men and Women

Genesis 3:16 presents male rule as an adverse consequence of humanity’s disobedience (“he will rule over you”). But Jesus came to deal with the disobedience and its consequences. So, to prohibit leadership by women is to oppose Christ’s redeeming work. Galatians 3:28 says that in Christ there is not male and female. But many Bible teachers interpret Genesis 1–3 differently. They emphasize that before the disobedience Adam is more prominent than Eve and that after the disobedience God calls out to Adam first (3:9). These and other features seem to teach that leadership is male. The complementarity of men and women is said to mean that only men are leaders and protectors. This workshop will show that, when we read Genesis 1–3 on its own terms, it does not teach that leadership is male. It is consistent both with full complementarity and with Galatians 3:28.

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Date: 8/7/2022

Rob Dixon - Making the Shift: Five Moves Faith Communities Can Make from Complementarianism to Egalitarianism

What could it look like for faith communities to make a successful theological shift from complementarianism to egalitarianism? Pulling from interviews with leaders who have helped their churches navigate the change, this seminar will articulate a five-step process designed to help faith communities shift their theological positions.

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Date: 8/6/2022

Dr. Craig Keener - Ethnicity and Gender: Mutuality in Galatians 3:28 and Ephesians 5:21–33

If Galatians 3:28 declares that unity in Christ has obliterated ethnic and gender barriers, what should we make of the household codes in Ephesians 5:21—6:9 and elsewhere? If Galatians 3:28 is the universal principle, how is that lived out in the tension between the already/not yet in a fallen world? This workshop explores the social and apologetic function of submission in the Pauline household codes.

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Date: 8/6/2022

Jeff Miller - An Overview of the 2022 NRSV Updated Edition

The 1989 NRSV provided the English-speaking world with the most significant advancement in gender-accurate Bible translation to date. It has been profoundly influential over the subsequent thirty-plus years. Now the NRSV has been updated as the NRSVue ("ue" = "updated edition"). This workshop will give an overview of the NRSVue.

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Date: 8/6/2022

Ronald W. Pierce - Paul’s Radical Call for Mutuality in Marriage (and Singleness): 1 Corinthians 7:1–40

Tired of rehashing the same difficult texts and arguments about men and women’s shared leadership and authority in marriage? How about something new from Scripture that could revolutionize your discussion on the mutuality and equality of men and women in marriage and singleness? Walk with Ron Pierce through 1 Corinthians 7, the most extensive and explicitly egalitarian text in Scripture regarding this important question on one of the most neglected passages in the contemporary evangelical egalitarian debate. How should this passage affect your reading of the familiar Ephesians 5 references to submission and headship? Why is this text such good news for both men and women, for those who choose marriage and those who choose to remain single?

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Date: 8/5/2022

Director, Training and Development/Gender Focal Po Eeva Simard - Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive

Over 70 percent of general staff and beneficiaries, and 50 percent of donors of faith-based nonprofits are women, yet women make up less than 20 percent of leadership in the sector. Why are women held back, and what is the cost to organizations of overlooking the leadership skills of women in key positions? With over three decades of combined experience in the nonprofit sector, in their research Birmingham and Simard explore the benefits of a leadership model that is equally shared between women and men.

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Date: 8/6/2022

Rajkumar Boaz Johnson - Male, Female, Slave, and Free in the Context of a Pandemic: In the Thought of Katharine Bushnell

Katharine Bushnell witnessed and investigated the sexual slavery of women and girls in China, Wisconsin, and India during the late 1800s. Devastated by what she saw, she struggled with what it means to be male, female, slave, and free in the context of a pandemic. In response she wrote her magnum opus, God's Word to Women. In this workship, we will explore the answers found in Bushnell's works.

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Date: 8/5/2022

Dr. Mimi Haddad - Women at the Margins: Leaders in Christian History

A review of women’s unique contributions from the early church to the modern era, this workshop will also consider contributions from lesser-known women whose legacies survive despite prejudice due to race, ethnicity, education, and more.

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Date: 8/5/2022

David Hart - Going from Ally to Action: Walking Toward Gender Equality in our Churches Together

Do you believe the Scriptures call both women and men to work for gender equality? Are you a church leader who sincerely would like to create more opportunities for women to lead, but don’t know where to begin? This breakout session is really for you. We will discuss some practical tips and strategies to help churches and allies move from the potential energy of allyship, to the kinetic energy of gender equality actors and co-conspirators.

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David Hart - Going from Ally to Action: Walking Toward Gender Equality in our Churches Together

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Craig S. and Médine Moussounga Keener - A New Humanity

How does Paul challenge ethnic and gender division beyond Galatians 3:28? This keynote will explore especially Ephesians’ teaching about the one body of Christ and its explicit implications for ethnic and gender unity (Craig). This keynote will further illustrate with some concrete examples, especially from Africa, of disunity and Christ’s power to transcend such barriers (Médine).

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Date: 8/5/2022

Craig S. and Médine Moussounga Keener - A New Humanity

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Date: 8/5/2022

Andrew Bartlett - Genesis 1–3, Galatians 3:28, and the Full Complementarity of Men and Women

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Date: 8/7/2022

Andrew Bartlett - Galatians 3:28 in Context: Human Worth and God's Great Purpose for Both Men and Women

Prior commitments create pressure to either restrict or expand the meaning and application of Galatians 3:28. The proper control is to read it in the context of Paul’s overall argument in his letter. This shows it has both "vertical" and "horizontal" aspects. God’s great purpose is to generate new-creation-lives in both men and women, lived in the power of the Spirit, in genuine community, so that both men and women become his true image, like Jesus, as full “sons” of God in one family. This challenges common teachings about “biblical manhood and womanhood."

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Date: 8/6/2022

Gordon D. Fee - Cultural Context of Ephesians 5:18-33

Is there a divinely ordained hierarchy in the life of the church and home that is based on gender alone? Fee explores the cultural background of Ephesians 5:18–33 to answer this question which has become such a crux for people on both sides of the issue.

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Date: 7/15/2001

Stephanie Williams - Male/Female Shared Leadership: Casting a Vision to the Next Generation

Two leaders of a pre-ministerial initiative for college students reveal how their theology of male/female shared leadership shapes their and students visions for ministry. Drawing on theological insights from Genesis and personal experience, they offer a practical theology for ministry leaders serving in Gods image.

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Date: 7/28/2011

Bonnie Field - Singleness And Community: Glorifying God in the Church Body

We explore the difficulties that Christian singles often have integrating into their local churches and discuss the dangers that this poses not only for singles but also for the church as a whole. We then discuss the theological significance of singleness and examine the unique truths that celibacy teaches us about God. Building upon this discussion, we explore what singles, married couples, and church leadership can do to build a community where everyone is valued and encouraged to serve God with the gifts that he has given them: a community that not only will provide love and support to its members but also will be a witness to the secular world as it displays the power of God’s love that transcends family connections.

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Date: 7/28/2011

Manfred T. Brauch - Imaging God: Embodying the Justice of God in Gender Relationships

Male and female are created in the image of God. As such, they are called to image, reflect, and embody the character of God. In the prophetic literature, we discover a God who desires, above all, justice within human relationships. Justice is present when men and women, wives and husbands, structure their relationships in home, church, and society in keeping with the divine intention for mutuality in the male-female relationship.

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Date: 7/28/2011

Bonnie Field - Singleness and Sexuality: Glorifying God in Our Physical Bodies

This conversation begins by exploring the problematic messages that Christian singles receive both from the secular world and from the church community that make it difficult to live appropriately as sexual beings created by God who have chosen to remain celibate outside of marriage. We then turn to Scripture, church history, and contemporary Christian thought to reveal a more positive view of celibacy that embraces singles as sexual beings while supporting their choice to avoid sexual activity. Rather than viewing celibacy as a special state of grace reserved only for those who have a particular vocation, or seeing it as an unnatural repression of sexual desire, we will explore what celibate sexuality might look like and discuss why God calls us to live celibate lives outside of marriage.

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Date: 7/28/2011

Susan Freund - For This Reason: Traditional Rabbinic Views of Mutuality in Marriage

This recording examines the traditional rabbinic teachings on the Genesis narrative and traces their connection to Pauline thinking and the teachings of Jesus. Enlarge your vision for the blessing and sanctity of marriage!

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Date: 7/28/2011

Lynne Ellis - Sex, Power, and Prejudice: Its Impact and Paths Forward

Panelists include: Lynne Ellis, W. Tali Hairston, Allyson Jule, Emily Rice, and Evelia Naranjo.

What are the biblical and global ramifications of hierarchical attitudes? First, this discussion examines the manifestations of sex, power, and prejudice and the ways they influence gender, ethnicity, and theology. Secondly, the panelists examine how to move forward as effective change agents.

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Date: 7/28/2011

John R. Kohlenberger III - Gender Language in Bible Translations: From KJV to NIV

This lecture examines the use of gender-oriented language in the history of the English Bible, emphasizing the clarification of women in leadership roles and full participation in the community of faith.

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Date: 7/28/2011

Anne Zaki - Women's Ordination as Pastors: A Middle Eastern Perspective

Explores the most prominent biblical, historical, and cultural arguments presented by both sides in the discussion around the ordination of women as pastors in Egypt.

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Date: 7/23/2015

Eugene Cho - Misogyny and the Church

It's not an exaggeration to say that misogyny is a matter of life and death. Our theology impacts women and men all around the world. Every woman is made in the image of God!

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Date: 7/23/2015

Dr. Mimi Haddad - Ideas Have Consequences: Justice Begins with a Consistent Reading of Scripture

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Date: 10/20/2016

Dr. Mimi Haddad - Women’s Leadership throughout Church History: Following the Teachings and Examples of Paul

Throughout history, the apostle Paul has been the most frequently cited authority for restricting women from shared leadership not only in ministry but also in marriage and the world. Sadly, those who cite Paul as an opponent of women's equality overlook the many examples of women leaders building the church beside the apostle, in addition to his theological emphasis on newness of life in Christ. This workshop will show how 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 are eddies off the stream of Paul’s egalitarian teachings and practices.

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Date: 7/21/2017

Jeff Miller - Where Did All These Men Come From?: A Defense of Gender-Accurate Bible Translation

A common criticism is that gender-accurate Bible translation tactics, such as using "brothers and sisters" instead of "brothers," moves English Bibles away from the teaching, intent, and tone of the biblical authors. This workshop demonstrates that the opposite is true.

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Date: 7/23/2017

Diphus Chemorion - Human Dignity: Interrogating Biblical and Cultural Perspectives on the Creation Mandate in Genesis 1-3

Patriarchy undermines the dignity God bestowed at creation. The first part of this workshop focuses on biblical reflections on human dignity and God’s image, and the second part concentrates on “redeeming God’s purpose for the creation of men and women.” With reference to creation narratives in Genesis and examples drawn from different cultures in Africa and other parts of the world, Chemorion demonstrates how cultural worldviews contribute to a diminished view of women, and what needs to be done to restore human dignity.

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Date: 7/22/2017

Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall - Paul and Gender: Highlights and Bombshells

Dr. Westfall briefly introduces her book, Paul and Gender, which was released November 15, 2016. She talks about some of the book's unique contributions, where they came from, and how they impact the interpretation of key passages. She focuses on 1 Corinthians 11:3-18 and veiling and submission; 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and women keeping silent; and Ephesians 5:21-33 and headship and submission in marriage.

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Date: 7/22/2017

Sarah Ago - Fuller Panel

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Date: 8/2/2019

Sarah Ago - Fuller Panel

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Date: 8/2/2019

Aloo Osotsi Mojola - Bible Translation and Gender: Successes and Challenges, with Specific References to Sub-Saharan Africa

The workshop reflects on and discusses the complex role of Bible translation in the dissemination of the good news of our salvation and liberation, and in championing gender equality. We will examine gender equality as a human dignity issue in our cultures, home, families, and churches!

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Date: 7/22/2017

Eugene Hung - Leading Your Church's Response to #MeToo and #ChurchToo

Many pastors have struggled to help their congregations respond wisely and compassionately in the era of #MeToo and #ChurchToo. A pastor-turned-activist for women's rights, Eugene Hung provides practical guidance and recommendations for church leaders seeking to help their faith communities address abuse.

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Date: 8/2/2019

Dr. Kevin Giles - The Trinity and the Subordination of Women

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Date: 7/7/2003

Christiane Carlson-Theis - Hermeneutics in Pink and Blue

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Date: 7/7/2003

Charles Read - Inclusive Language and God: How Language Helps Us Think Biblically

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Date: 9/2/2004

Ronald W. Pierce - The Feminine Voice of God: Women as the Prophets in the Bible

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Date: 9/2/2004

Ellen Armstrong - Sexual Exploitation and Violence toward Women: Global and Local Concerns

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Date: 9/2/2004

Dr. N. T. Wright - Biblical Basis for Women's Service in the Church

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Date: 9/2/2004

Elaine Storkey - Biblical Feminism: 20 Years Later

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Date: 9/2/2004

Esther Reed - Authority, Scripture, and Women in the Church

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Date: 9/2/2004

David InstoneBrewer - The Scandal of Equality in First Century Christian Teaching

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Date: 9/2/2004

Dr. Mimi Haddad - Paul and the Leadership of Women: Irreconcilable or Inextricable?

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Date: 7/28/2005

Carolyn Kohlenberger - From Hierarchy to Mutual Submission: One Couple's Journey

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Date: 7/28/2005