The case must be made biblically or many simply won’t accept the argument. So Graham Hill, in his new book Holding Up Half the Sky, has a long chapter going through the biblical case for women teaching and preaching and leading. Here is his summary:

Gen 1-3 proposes the full dignity and equality of women and men – a relationship marred by the fall. Gendered conflict, competition, and hierarchy are introduced through sin, and are not God’s ideal for male and female relationships. The ideal in Genesis is an equal partnership of union, difference, and co-stewardship. The ideal order of creation is one of loving mutuality and equality; intimacy with God and between women and men.

In the Gospels we see Jesus showing astonishing respect for women. He included them in his ministry, welcomed them as learners (and, I argue, as aspiring teachers), and elevated their contribution and dignity. After the resurrection, Jesus made the women the “apostles to the twelve apostles.” That’s how Jesus honors women.

Women exercised leadership and ministry gifts throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, we see the examples of Miriam, Deborah, Noadiah, Huldah, Ruth, Esther, Sarah, Rebekah, Rahab, and more.

In the New Testament we have the stories of Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, Joanna, Mary Magdalene, Susanna, and more. Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia are striking examples of female Christian leadership in the early church. Paul speaks of many female co-laborers, including Mary, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, and others, as well as house church leaders like Lydia, Nympha, Priscilla, and very likely Chloe. The apostolic practice of ministry wherever possible matched the apostolic theology of ministry. “The number of women in leadership in the early Pauline churches, given the cultural context, is breathtaking . . . If we consider all the early Paulines, more than one-quarter of the leaders Paul mentions by name are women, twelve in number.”

The Bible does not abolish the genders, nor does it minimize the differences between women and men. But verses like Gal 3:28 show that men and women are now one in Christ. Women and men are brought together as equally and completely as Jews and gentiles. All are equally honored in the family of Jesus Christ. All the barriers separating the genders and keeping women and men from being one body in love and worship and ministry are now done away with in Christ. Gal 3:28 isn’t just about “spiritual status” in Christ. It has clear ecclesial implications for women, just as it does for slaves and gentiles. God welcomes all people into his family – regardless of ethnic, sociocultural, economic, and gender differences – and pours out his gifts on all people for ministry. Gal 3:28 has clear social and ecclesial implications for women.

Hill is aware of the counter texts and sketches his view responsibly and charitably.

My question often is this: WDWD? What did women do in the Bible and do you let women “do” in yoru churches what they “do” in the Bible? If not, you are not biblical.