Is biblical womanhood obsolete? : Exploring new ways to teach biblical womanhood

Stoddard, Eowyn

1 online resource (x, 194 leaves)

Abstract

D. Min. Covenant Theological Seminary, 2024

Bibliographical references (leaves 183-194)

Titre

Is biblical womanhood obsolete? : Exploring new ways to teach biblical womanhood

Dernière modification

11/26/2024

Créateur

Stoddard, Eowyn

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore how women’s ministry leaders in the church (WML) are adapting their teaching on biblical womanhood to disciple the next generation of women effectively. WML face significant challenges in discipling the next generation of women, including evolving views on sex, gender roles, and biblical womanhood. This study utilizes a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with eleven WML from various Reformed denominations with a minimum of five years of experience. The interviews focus on gaining data with four research questions: 1. What models do WML in the church currently use to teach women about biblical womanhood? 2. What challenges do WML encounter when they teach biblical womanhood to younger women? 3. What changes to their teaching on biblical womanhood have WML already undertaken to disciple the next generation of women? 4. What resources for teaching biblical womanhood do WML in the church say they will need to disciple women in the future? The literature review presents three areas key to understanding biblical womanhood: a concise biblical theology of womanhood, Biblical WomanhoodTM resources, and critiques of these resources. This study concludes that the teaching of biblical womanhood should include elements of creation design, biblical theology, gender eschatology, and a theology of the female body. Special attention should be given to the topics of identity, feminism, and transgenderism. Furthermore, WML expressed the necessity of providing an integrated, whole-person model of discipleship to younger women. Related to these three components, this study finds that WML face three major challenges when they teach biblical womanhood: difficulties in connecting with younger women, negative connotations of biblical womanhood, and experiential objections to it. To address these challenges, this study identifies the kind of materials and models needed for the successful discipleship of the next generation of women.

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