My Reading List on Women in Leadership

The thorny issue of women in Christian Leadership is one that has been in the world's eye of late. Its something I've written about before, beginning with the tentative "Where Next?", thoughts on "John, Jesus and Women", a pair of posts called "Gender: Whither Now?" and "Pastors, Elders and Other Words". More recently, I mused "Don't Be Scared Be Sensitive", and shared a brilliant guest post, "Lauras Story". Very recently, I wrote two posts about the Church of Englands debates, "On Women Bishops" and "On the Women Bishops Vote".

This post is not a statement, its actually quite boring. This post acknowledges what I've written (links all above!) and what I'm reading about this vitally important issue. Discussions around gender and so on are vitally important. Thats probably why one of the most read posts on my blog is a superb Guest Post, "Changing Orientation". Today I just want to share what I've read, am reading, and will read on this important issue. Soon I will also be publishing a review of "Unapologetic Apologetics" (not to be confused with "Unapologetic" by Francis Spufford) which includes a superb essay on Christianity and Feminism. But, for now....

The Bible. Obviously. I read primarily my ESV, but also have NIV (various), NRSV, Jerusalem, NLT, KJV, ASV and others lying around. This is the primary text for Christians on this subject - and should drench and permeate every part of our thinking and reading.

"Slaves, Women and Homosexuals" by William Webb. I read and wrote some first thoughts about this excellent (Though not perfect!) book on three key issues in biblical reading. I think this is a helpful contribution to this discussion.

"How I Changed My Mind About Women in Leadership" is an excellent multi-author volume with prominent evangelicals showing why they believe in Women in Leadership. Again, not perfect, but a useful and important book to read. I reviewed it here.

"Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth" by Wayne Grudem has been a staple on my bookshelf for years. Its not perfect, its often infuriating, but it is very comprehensive. I'm still not entirely convinced that the entire thing has been successfully refuted - but I'm not totally convinced by Grudems position either. This is an important book, especially for seeking to understand a certain strand.

"A Year of Biblical Womanhood" by Rachel Held Evans. This book is a recent, fun and non-technical look at the idea of 'biblical womanhood'. I'm posting a review soon, but whilst it makes some excellent points, its not the best presentation of the issue. That said, it was fun to read!

"Jobs for the Boys?" by Liz and Andrew Barr is another interesting book. Its the stories of the first 'batch' of Anglican women priests. It makes for interesting reading.

"The Gender Agenda" by Lis Goddard & Clare Hendry. This book is an interesting conversational one, touching on all sorts of different elements of this debate. I'm posting a review soon.

I'm also lucky enough to have a few technical books of feminist theology (though lots of my general books have chapters and essays on it), including "Feminist Interpretation of the Bible" edited by Letty Russell, "Theology and Feminism" by Daphne Hampson, "The Feminist Question" by Francis Martin, and "Feminist Theology: A Reader" by Ann Loades. I've not fully read all of these - I dip in and out.

Commentaries on the relevant passages of the Bible are good tools too! 

So! These are what I'm reading/have read/will read currently on this important issue. But over to you? What should I add to this list? I'd love your responses in the comments. Thanks for reading!