What Does the Bible Say about Elders? 10 Clarifying Questions
One of the many distinctives of churches in the RENEW.org Network is that our congregations are elder-guided (along with holding high views of Scripture, baptism, weekly communion, etc.). Being elder-guided […]
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Churches
All of us have habits. Some good; some bad. In The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, Alan Kreider calls habits our embodied behaviors—our reflexes. Habits are not strategies; they are […]
Conference on Discipling Men
Dear RENEW.org Network Friends, RENEW.org and Discipleship.org are partnering with BetterMan for a one-day conference in Dallas on September 11, 2025, called “Discipling Men.” Let me tell you why we […]
What Is Biblical Manhood? (Part 2)
Editor’s Note: We live in an era of confusion and hurt when it comes to the question of what it means to be a real man. Should we see manhood […]
Act Like Men?
Growing up, I thought the Marine Corps had the best recruiting commercials out of all the armed services. Maybe that’s why I spent so much time in the Marine recruiting office […]
What Is Biblical Manhood? (Part 1)
Editor’s Note: We live in an era of confusion and hurt when it comes to the question of what it means to be a real man. Should we see manhood […]
Women as Lead Preachers and the Meaning of ‘Authentein’ in 1 Timothy 2:12
Recently Mike Winger, a pastor and featured teacher on Biblical Thinker online, posted a very long series of videos exploring the subject of women in Christian ministry.[1] In part twelve […]
Women and Men in the Church: A RENEW.org Guide to 10 Key Resources
Many church leadership teams are exploring what the Bible teaches about men and women in the church. And it’s a good time to do so. For many, it feels that […]
Foreword to ‘Male and Female: A Biblical Look at Gender’
The following is one of the forewords for the book Male & Female: A Biblical Look at Gender, edited by Renée Webb Sproles. Henny-Penny, we are told in various versions […]
Spiritual Gifts in a Women’s Ministry
When it comes to women’s ministry, the word “intentionality” is incredibly important. In the organic, often unstructured, development of women’s ministries, this has often been one of the missing components. […]
Can a Pastor Be a Woman? Examining Saddleback’s New Approach
Can a pastor be a woman? Saddleback Church, the notable megachurch led by mega-bestselling author Rick Warren, made news by ordaining its first three women pastors. The shift from male-only […]
Complementarian VS Egalitarian: 10 Questions for Egalitarian Church Leaders
When it comes to the complementarian vs egalitarian debate in the church and home, here are 10 questions to think about for egalitarian leaders. For an ebook form of this […]
Dr. Carol Swain on the Challenges Christian Face Today
Challenges Christian Face Today: Urgent Wake-Up Call Modern influences like social media, podcasts, and cultural voices can disciple believers into “self-inspired theology” that slowly weakens faith. Renewing the mind means […]
Dr. Carol Swain on the Challenges Christian Face Today
Dr. Carol Swain on Living Faithfully in a Confusing Age Through personal testimony, Dr. Swain recounts how her journey from academic success to Christian conviction reshaped her identity in Christ. […]
Theological Differences, Respectful Debate: A Concluding Conversation with John Mark Hicks on Gender and the Bible
Gender and the Bible Debate: A Model for Respectful Theological Disagreement Explore where Renew.org and John Mark Hicks agree and differ on women’s participation, teaching, and authority in the gathered […]
On Gender and the Bible: A Summary (Part 12)
On Gender and the Bible Part 12: Seven Scripture-Based Points On Gender and the Bible Part 12 outlines seven biblical convictions about gender roles in marriage and church leadership rooted […]
Is Complementarianism Oppressive? A Review of Beth Allison Barr’s The Making of Biblical Womanhood
The Making of Biblical Womanhood: A Critical Review The Making of Biblical Womanhood evaluates Beth Allison Barr’s claims that complementarianism is rooted in patriarchy, hierarchy, and systemic oppression. This review […]
On Gender and the Bible: Thoughts of a Theologian and a Therapist on the Transgender Debate (Part 11)
Transgender Debate Part 11: Biblical Clarity for Today’s Questions Transgender Debate Part 11 affirms God made humans male and female, grounding identity in creation and biology. Key definitions like gender […]
Are White Evangelicals Responsible for Corrupting the Faith and Fracturing a Nation? A Review of “Jesus and John Wayne”
Corrupting the Faith in Light of Jesus and John Wayne Layfield appreciates how Jesus and John Wayne exposes real problems in evangelical culture, including militarism, celebrity pastor models, and weak […]
How to Read the Bible like a Progressive
Read the Bible like a Progressive with Clear Discernment Progressive reading is shown as rewriting essential Christian doctrines to fit Western cultural values while proudly selecting which Scriptures still apply. […]
On Gender and the Bible: What Does It Mean to Be a Man or Woman? (Part 10)
Man or Woman — Design, Signs, and Culture Drawing on nature and biology, the article shows how male and female bodies shape behavior and complement one another toward intimacy and […]
On Gender and the Bible: Where Does Egalitarianism Lead? (Part 9)
Egalitarianism and Scriptural Trajectories Authors trace how egalitarianism, when unchecked, can override created differences and biblical hierarchies in church and home. The article contrasts secular lenses with exegesis, arguing that […]
On Gender and the Bible: One Church’s Real-World Fight (Part 8)
One Church Real-World Fight and Biblical Transformation Building a culture rooted in Scripture, One Church’s Real-World Fight recounts how obedience reshaped leadership and deepened faith. Through consistent discipleship and prayerful […]
On Gender and the Bible: Practical Advice by Complementarian Women for Local Churches (Part 7)
Practical Advice by Complementarian Women — Implementing in Local Churches Leaders clarify biblical complementarity, communicate it openly, and invite women’s voices in decisions, prayer, Scripture readings, and visible service. Churches […]
On Gender and the Bible: What about Husbands and Wives? (Part 6)
Husbands and Wives: Biblical Design in Marriage Husbands and Wives draws from Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, and 1 Peter 3: wives respect and submit; husbands love sacrificially, mirroring Christ and […]
On Gender and the Bible: Can Women Be Elders? (Part 5)
Can Women Be Elders – Biblical Foundations for Eldership From Genesis through 1 Timothy and Titus, Scripture portrays elders/overseers as qualified men who exercise humble, servant leadership. Hermeneutics matter; rather […]
On Gender and the Bible: Does God Allow Women Preachers in 1 Timothy 2? (Part 4)
Does God Allow Women Preachers in 1 Timothy 2 – Context & Teaching Drawing from 1 Timothy 2:11–15, the article argues that Paul grounds instructions in creation order and aims […]
On Gender and the Bible: Why Do Women Stay Silent in 1 Corinthians 14? (Part 3)
Why Do Women Stay Silent in 1 Corinthians 14 — Context, Order, and Headship Drawing from 1 Corinthians 11–14, the article shows Paul correcting disorder in worship—telling tongue speakers, prophets, […]
On Gender and the Bible: What’s Up with Head Coverings in 1 Corinthians 11? (Part 2)
Gender and the Bible — Head Coverings in 1 Corinthians 11 Drawing on Roman-era evidence, the article explains why head coverings signified reverence during praying and prophesying—not sexual propriety. It […]
On Gender and the Bible: What John Mark Hicks and Scot McKnight Get Right and Wrong (Part 1)
John Mark Hicks and Scot McKnight — Methods and Message Part 1 contrasts blueprint and trajectory readings, arguing New Testament commands embody theology and still guide the church. The article […]
Gender Roles: Where to Land
Where to Land: Biblical Roles in Church Life Scripture affirms salvation equality while the NT pattern assigns qualified men to elder roles rooted in character, teaching, and shepherding. Headship mirrors […]
Gender Roles: Where to Begin
Gender Roles in God’s Design and Ministry Gender Roles start with creation as both male and female are made in God’s image, called to reflect His likeness and purpose in […]
MacArthur, Moore, and Gender
MacArthur, Moore, and Gender: Bold Response to Disrespect MacArthur, Moore, and Gender explores the fallout of public remarks that sparked division in the church, calling believers to Christlike engagement and […]