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Philip B. Payne.
Man and Woman, One in Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Paul's Letters. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2009, 511 pages. Now shipping.
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This book is a careful exegetical examination of Paul’s teachings regarding women and their standing and ministries in the church and home. It is the condensation of 35 years of research on this topic and is full of insights that shed new light on a host of issues and correct many misconceptions. This work rigorously analyzes both the text of Paul’s statements and the meaning of the text through penetrating exegetical study. It affirms the complete reliability of all of Paul’s teaching.
The work begins with an examination of the influences on Paul, then it explores Paul’s many statements about women who were his colleagues in ministry and Paul’s theological principles that undergird his affirmations of the equal standing of man and women in Christ. In light of Paul’s practice, it examines each of Paul’s statements regarding the standing of women and their ministry in the church.
The book concludes that Paul is consistent in both his practice and his principles, affirming the equal standing of man and woman in Christ.
Samplings of condensed responses to the book follow:
• "Philip Payne’s treatment of New Testament manuscripts and textual criticism, especially in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, is meticulously formulated, cogently argued, and of lasting significance."
—Eldon J. Epp, Harvard Divinity School
• "This careful scrutiny of every Pauline text that deals with women is a must-read for anyone doing serious study or preaching about these texts. Simply put, this is the most technically proficient study ever published on women in the Pauline texts."
—Scot McKnight, Jesus Creed
• "The most comprehensive and well-reasoned contribution by an individual evangelical scholar in the modern history of the debate."
—Professor Ron Pierce, Biola University
• "Philip Payne brings decades of meticulous research to its proper culmination in a compelling and thoroughly biblical demonstration that Paul the apostle to the Gentiles was a wholehearted supporter of women serving in any and all sorts of ministerial roles they are called and gifted to undertake. This book deserves the highest commendation."
—Ben Witherington III, Asbury Theological Seminary
• "This remarkable, exceedingly important, painstakingly meticulous, magnum opus on the relevant biblical passages has rapidly become the classic manifesto for those committed both to the authority of Scripture and the validity of women’s ministry. It examines in minute detail each Pauline passage used to restrict the equality and ministry of women."
—Catherine Clark Kroeger, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, full review in Priscilla Papers 25, 3 (2011) 27
• "Man and Woman, One in Christ is superb and inspired scholarship, evidenced in its biblical/linguistic resources and especially in its amazing exegetical, linguistic, historical and theological content. What a gift to scholars and the Church!."
—Professor Manfred T. Brauch, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary
• "Man and Woman, One in Christ is a mammoth achievement, a book of exhaustive scholarship, clear, full of original contributions, particularly on 1 Tim 2:8–15, Rabban Gamaliel II, Gen 1–3, the “seed,” and “the Childbirth.” No exegetical area is left without extensive study of its grammatical and historical component elements and its relationship to the whole structure. Its study of kephalē is definitive. It will serve an authoritative reference for many years to come."
—Aída Besançon Spencer, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. See the full review in JETS
54, 1 (2011)
• "Meticulously detailed and lucid, it will remain the definitive work on the subject of the role of women in the Church for years to come."
—Dr. Randy Colver, Fairburn, GA
• "Truly a remarkable work - and thorough in its argumentation. Its analysis of οὐδέ
and αὐθεντεῖν
in 1 Tim 2:12 is a tremendous help. Thank you for your dedication to Scripture and its fine results for Christian faith and theology. I believe it will be a source of lasting change in the church."
—David T. Goh, Ph.D. in New Testament, Senior Pastor, The Garden Community Church, Bakersfield, CA
• "A massive amount of research and careful argumentation! This important contribution to the church should shape the discussion for some time to come. A really significant piece of work."
—Harold Netland, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
• "A long time adherent to CBMW's Danver's Statement, I had assumed the exegetical and theological issues were settled by Grudem, Schreiner, and Köstenberger. However, exegetically, this book is the best. Its arguments for interpolation (1 Cor 14:34-35) are persuasive. It has won me over with regards to ministry roles. A fruitful and stimulating paradigm-changing challenge."
—David R. Booth, Balcatta, Western Australia
• "A masterpiece, comprehensive, biblical, containing some of the most important findings to date. Its kephalē research is worth the price of the book many times over. Quite simply, the best treatment today."
—Paul D. Adams blog, ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ
(in Christ Jesus)
• "A superb achievement, very entertaining, by far the most important contribution to the debate about women's ‘roles' in the 21st century so far."
—Dr. Robert K. McGregor Wright, Director Aquila and Priscilla House Study Center
• "Extraordinarily well-done careful exegesis. Marvelous book. Payne’s knowledge of the 1st century AD background, of New Testament Greek, of textual criticism, and of the theological issues is extensive. His discussion of I Corinthians 14:34-35 is outstanding, demonstrating that these two verses are almost certainly an interpolation. Definitely five stars."
—Shirley L. Barron, Richmond, Kentucky
• "Extraordinarily invaluable, comprehensive, fair, freeing research! Finally, it all fits together!"
—M. L., Dallas Theological Seminary
• "Payne's new book is an incredible work. If you think you know what the Bible says on gender but have not read this book, I strongly encourage you to read it."
—Donald B. Johnson, Manassas, Virginia
• "Nothing sort of remarkable, rock-solid, monumental work enhanced by its spirit throughout."
—David Sanford, Credo Communications
• "Wonderful book, monumental, a landmark, engaging. It makes complex, technical issues very understandable and practical. The book has life and spirit, a supremely academic work that is also supremely spiritual. A rare blend crafted with such excellence and grace."
—Steve and Carol Ost, Bremerton, Washington
• "Wow, I'm thoroughly enjoying the book. It's amazing! You've done a wonderful service to the body of Christ. It makes the most sense to translate kephale throughout 1 Cor 11:3 'source.' I love your approach to everything - start and stay with orthodoxy."
—Kevin Meserschmidt, East Hampton, CT
• "I love your book! And I love your critique of Tom Schreiner's review at www.pbpayne.com. Keep up the wonderful work!"
—Professor Deborah M. Gill, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
• "Excellent research, scholarship with humility. I devoured this book."
—Scott Lisea, Young Life Gold Coast & Central California Region
• "This highly commendable, excellent work covers some thirty years of research and painstaking analysis of the texts and an impressive array of contemporary evidence. Scholars will find fresh insights, especially in the rich references to ancient authors. Throughout the work Payne takes pains to show that many previous readings missed the point of the passages analyzed, especially 1 Cor 11:2–16, due either to lack of attention to the original contexts, presuppositions from the readers’ contexts, and/or the limitations of the English language imposed on the texts (e.g., the use of gendered pronouns in translations where none exist in the Greek. His twenty-three page analysis [117–39] argues that kephalē in 1 Cor 11:3 means ‘source,’ not ‘head/leader, authority’). From his rich and multidimensional analyses (Old Testament, Septuagint, and Hellenistic, Jewish, Roman, and patristic authors), Payne concludes that, contrary to the practice of his contemporaries, ‘Paul consistently champions the equality of man and woman in Christ.’ Payne’s very readable book is the testimony of a personal faith journey. I have made it required reading for my course on Sex and Gender in the Bible."
—Teresa Okure, SHCJ, Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Review of Biblical Literature 02/2011
• "An exacting scholar has now given us all what may well be the definitive scrutiny of all of the relevant passages in the New Testament Pauline letters. Philip Payne has applied exacting scholarship in ways that should finally tone down the arguments against women in church leadership."
—L. Palmer, Amazon.com
• "Scriptural, important, the benchmark for the egalitarian position regarding man and woman in Christ."
—Marc Axelrod, Potter, Wisconsin
• "One of the most insightful books I have ever read dealing with the role of women in the Christian community. I thank God for such dedication and scholarship. God is using this book in a mighty way to help people read the Word of God more clearly"
—Dr. Dallas Burdette, Montgomery, AL
• "I read your book as though it were a suspense novel – I couldn’t put it down. When my husband would get home, I kept him up for hours, explaining the meanings of some of the passages and reading him excerpts from the book. And I cried. Your book makes so much sense to me. Thank you, again, for your work in researching, writing and publishing your book. It is God’s gift to the church and particularly to Christian women. Your book has given me confidence to begin to break away from the accepted mold that I have always resented and struggled to fill, and has given me a sense of freedom to more fully trust in Christ and His path for my life. I feel closer to my husband than ever before, because I no longer resent him. So, thank you!!"
—Diane Pfaff, Pasco, Washington State
Shipping:
To the United States, $6 Media Mail for one copy plus $1 for each additional copy;
To Canada, $20 Airmail for one copy plus $30 for each additional copy;
To all other locations, $25 Airmail per copy.
See other essays and publications by Philip Payne, including articles for free download.
The author maintains a
web site devoted to this book. It includes the entire 255-page bibliography for the book, endorsements, a blog interacting with recent comments about the book, supplementary essays (e.g. Paul's sayings about slavery), and journal articles by P.B. Payne for free download.
Dr. Payne recently published an article in what is probably the most important book about Codex Vaticanus ever published, written with the senior paleographer at the Vatican Library.
Philip B. Payne and Paul Canart. "Distigmai Matching the Original Ink of Codex Vaticanus: Do they Mark the Location of Textual Variants?" pages 199-226 in Patrick Andrist, ed.,
Le manuscrit B de la Bible (Vaticanus graecus 1209): Introduction au fac-similé, Actes du Colloque de Genève (11 juin 2001), Contributions supplémentaires. Lausanne, Switzerland: Éditions du Zèbre, 2009.
See Le manuscrit B de la Bible for more information.
