Ronald W Pierce - Discovering Biblical Equality: Biblical, Theological, Cultural, and Practical Perspectives

AS IT WAS IN THE EARLIER EDITIONS OFDiscovering Biblical Equality, so now this third edition is the result of the collaborative effort of a diverse group of evangelical scholars, men and women from a wide range of disciplines who are united here by two convictions: that the Bible is the fully inspired and authoritative Word of God, and that it teaches a holistic theology of gender equality in both status and function in the home, church, and society.

Original coeditors Ronald W. Pierce and Rebecca Merrill Groothuis had independently contemplated a volume like this for several years before God brought them together in 2000 to begin work on the first edition, after which Gordon D. Fee was asked to join them as contributing editor. Now more than twenty years later, it is time for a substantive revision of this resource to properly address the many new questions, arguments, and scholarly contributions that have arisen. Because of the loss of our friend Becky Groothuis through her homegoing in 2018, Ron asked Cynthia Long Westfall to join him as the new coeditor, after which they invited Christa L. McKirland to come on board as associate editor.

On behalf of all those contributing to this third edition of Discovering Biblical Equality, we would like to thank the following individuals and groups who, by Gods grace, have made this work possible. Regrettably, space permits us to mention only a few by name.

First, we could not have accomplished this task without the sacrificial support of our families, namely Rons wife, Pat; Cindys husband, Glenn; and Christas husband, Matt. They, along with numerous children and grandchildren, deserve our sincere gratitude for their patience and encouragement.

Second, the academic institutions where we serve have provided invaluable support, and sometimes resources, to support our writing and editing: Ron as Old Testament professor in Biola Universitys Talbot School of Theology (California), Cindy as New Testament professor at McMaster Divinity College (Ontario), and Christa as lecturer in systematic theology at Carey Baptist College (Aotearoa New Zealand). Moreover, our appreciation does not merely extend to our administrators, colleagues, and staff, but also to the many students over our respective tenures who have asked hard questions without accepting easy answers and offered fresh new ideas that give us great confidence in the next generation of leaders for Christs church.

Third, we likewise are indebted to the leadership, staff, and members of CBE International (www.cbeinternational.org), who have championed the cause of evangelical gender equality since the organizations inception in 1987. CBE International has contributed to this book in many ways from its founder, Katherine Clark Kroeger (who originally encouraged Ron to take on this project), to its current president, Mimi Haddad, who has promoted this resource and contributed essays to it from the beginningnot to mention the many other members of CBE International who have also contributed essays.

Finally, we very much appreciate the work of the InterVarsity Press editorial stafflongtime advocates for gender equalityespecially David McNutt, who readily accepted and has since then skillfully overseen the present volume. His patience, guidance, and expertise have been indispensable.