Without Precedent: Scripture, Tradition, and the Ordination of Women - Softcover

Kirk, Geoffrey

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1498230814 ISBN 13: 9781498230810

Publisher: Wipf and Stock, 2016

Synopsis

Though the ordination of women has been hotly debated in a number of churches (and in particular in the world-wide Anglican Communion) there has been a strange silence on the subject from academic theologians. "They have left the debate" says the author of this book, "for the most part, to the also-rans" Without Precedent seeks to examine the arguments that, in the absence of serious academic contributions, have been advanced. In particular it looks at claims of ancient precedent for modern practice. What did Jesus think about women? Was Paul a misogynist or a feminist, a reactionary or a revolutionary? Does the role of Mary of Magdela, in scripture and tradition, offer any guidance (as many have claimed)? Were there female priests, and even bishops, in early Christianity? Extravagant claims have been made and repeated in all of these areas, and have crucially influenced decisions taken. This book provides, in the words of former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams: "a lucid and helpful survey, which quite rightly punctures some awful historical nonsense"

About this title

About the Author

Geoffrey Kirk read English Literature and theology at Oxford and was for many years National Secretary of Forward in Faith, a campaigning group in the Church of England opposed to the ordination of women. He was an Anglican parish priest and in 2012 entered the Catholic Church.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1498230814
• ISBN 13: 9781498230810
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 178