This Week in Word from the Bird

Posts for 10-14 April

Monday: Pagan Sex: Patriarchy, Power, and Penetration
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In Roman sexual mores, the act of penetration was understood as a way for men to assert their power and dominance over women, and sometimes even other men. The idea was that the man was taking control of the woman's body, and that this act of domination was a sign of his masculinity, virility, virtue, and power. Sadly, many Christians think this way about sex!

Wednesday: Women as Pastor/Patrons of Early House Churches
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In the New Testament, we have indications that women were patrons of Christian assemblies but possibly also “overseers” as well.

Friday: How Shall We Be Governed? A Primer on Political Theology
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Preview of a book I’m working on! Political theology has as one of its tasks trying to understand the notion of “authority.” Specifically, how divine authority relates to the authority of human government. Besides that, I submit that there are three key questions behind any political theology: (1) How does God’s authority relate to the authority of the state? (2) What type of authority does God delegate to the state; and (3) What type of state should Christians support?