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Publication Date: 21 Mar 2019
Publisher: IVP
Page Count: 464
Author: Andrew Bartlett
ISBN-13: 9781783599172, 9781783599189, 9781783599875

Men and Women in Christ

Fresh Light From The Biblical Texts
By Andrew Bartlett
A thorough engagement with exemplars of the main views and with the key biblical texts
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ISBN-13
9781783599172-grouped

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The debate about men and women in the church and in marriage continues to cause division among Christians. Most books on this issue are written from a firmly partisan point of view – complementarian or egalitarian. This one is unique.

Andrew Bartlett draws on his theological learning and his skills as a judge and arbitrator to offer an even-handed assessment of the debate. His analysis is thorough but accessible. He engages with advocates of each view and all the key biblical texts, weighing the available evidence and offering fresh insights. He invites the reader to move beyond complementarian and egalitarian labels and seeks progress towards healing the division.
Andrew Bartlett QC is based in London and is a highly rated international arbitrator with a wide range of experience in dispute resolution in numerous locations. He has a BA in Theology (University of Gloucestershire) and has served as an elder and a churchwarden in various churches.

Books on this topic can often be accompanied by the sound of an author steadily grinding an axe in the background. This work is refreshingly different. Meticulous research, careful argument, objective assessment and judicious evaluation make this a significant scholarly contribution to the discussion on the role of men and women in Christ’s church. It is essential reading for all in leadership.

- Ian Coffey, Vice-Principal and Director of Leadership Training, Moorlands College, Dorset, UK

This is a major contribution to the debate on the place of men and women in Christian ministry. It breaks new ground and is an important read whatever view you hold.

- Dr Michael Green, author and theologian

This is a must-read for anyone considering the Bible’s teaching on the roles of men and women. It has changed some of my thinking. Using his skills as an international arbitrator and his deep theological understanding, Andrew weighs up the biblical teaching on this often contentious issue. His conclusions are fresh, illuminating, and challenging to both egalitarian and complementarian alike. Every Christian leader and serious Bible student should read and digest this book. It will go a long way to bringing greater humility and unity on the subject, which is a great need in today’s church.

- Michael Ots, evangelist, international speaker and author

Although I lean more towards a fully complementarian position, I want to commend this book because of its recognition of the importance of Scripture in Christian belief and practice, its desire to explain Scripture in its biblical context, its scholarly quality, and its promotion of good relationships between Christians who have divergent views, with objective assessment and without personal criticism.

- Andrew Muwowo, founder, Proclamation Institute Zambia

This book’s consideration of male and female relations according to Scripture is a model of clarity, scholarship and summary. It is in every sense a judicious work, which helps to resolve some contentious issues of biblical interpretation. Its aim is thoroughly constructive: to promote mutual understanding and unity among those who believe in and wish to be faithful to Holy Scripture.

- Dr Nigel G. Wright, Principal Emeritus, Spurgeon's College London, and former President, Baptist Union of Great Britain

Global communications are driving social change in East and South Asia. This increases the danger of importing Western theories unchallenged. I hope the insightful exegesis in this book will help Asian theologians and church leaders to engage with the Scripture without getting caught in the tramlines of the complementarian/egalitarian debate.

- Anthony Harrop, former Publishing Consultant Asia-Pacific, United Bible Societies

This book is very thorough, leaving no stone unturned. Some of the ‘stones’ certainly needed to be turned!

- Mike Wheate, formerly International Personnel Officer, Operation Mobilisation

As an arbitrator I look for careful assessment of evidence and contextually-sensitive reasoning. This book has both.

- Dr Robert Gaitskell QC, international arbitrator

An important contribution to a debate on which all sides need to listen carefully to each other with humility and a shared commitment to Scripture.

- Peter Baker, Senior Minister, Lansdowne Church, Bournemouth, UK

This thought-provoking and masterly analysis is also a thoroughly enjoyable read.

- Marcus Taverner QC, London

This is a landmark book on this key topic. It is extremely readable, yet an in-depth study. Unexpectedly I found it to be a page-turner, because I really wanted to know what was on the next page. Andrew Bartlett has a profound understanding of Scripture. This book has changed and clarified my own thinking. It should be read by all Christians, from new converts to archbishops. Wives, buy it for your husbands! Husbands, buy it for your wives!

- Professor Sir Colin Humphreys CBE FRS FREng, author of ‘The Mystery of the Last Supper’ and ‘The Miracles of Exodus’

Andrew Bartlett has carefully studied Scripture to offer a sound assessment of both the complementarian and egalitarian positions. Without advocating one over the other, he has presented very helpful principles to discern how men and women may best witness and serve together for God’s glory in each ministry context.

- Ven. Wong Tak Meng, Archdeacon, Diocese of Singapore, Dean of Cambodia

This is a stunning contribution to the debate about men and women in the church, for which I'm deeply grateful. The author’s determination to follow the evidence wherever it leads, based above all else on meticulous handling of the Bible, has blown apart my assumptions, resolved my uncertainties, transformed my thinking, and built new convictions. I pray that the Lord will use it to help evangelical churches align themselves more faithfully with Scripture.

- Tony Watkins, speaker and writer on media and the Bible, recently an elder of Above Bar Church, Southampton (FIEC), now studying for a doctorate in practical theology

The treatment of 1 Corinthians 7 is the best I've come across. Very sound arguments.

- Revd Kuruvilla Chandy, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

No matter what your current opinion, this thoroughly researched book will make you think... and brings a fresh perspective to the debate.

- Julia Garschagen
About
The debate about men and women in the church and in marriage continues to cause division among Christians. Most books on this issue are written from a firmly partisan point of view – complementarian or egalitarian. This one is unique.

Andrew Bartlett draws on his theological learning and his skills as a judge and arbitrator to offer an even-handed assessment of the debate. His analysis is thorough but accessible. He engages with advocates of each view and all the key biblical texts, weighing the available evidence and offering fresh insights. He invites the reader to move beyond complementarian and egalitarian labels and seeks progress towards healing the division.
Author
Andrew Bartlett QC is based in London and is a highly rated international arbitrator with a wide range of experience in dispute resolution in numerous locations. He has a BA in Theology (University of Gloucestershire) and has served as an elder and a churchwarden in various churches.
Reviews

Books on this topic can often be accompanied by the sound of an author steadily grinding an axe in the background. This work is refreshingly different. Meticulous research, careful argument, objective assessment and judicious evaluation make this a significant scholarly contribution to the discussion on the role of men and women in Christ’s church. It is essential reading for all in leadership.

- Ian Coffey, Vice-Principal and Director of Leadership Training, Moorlands College, Dorset, UK

This is a major contribution to the debate on the place of men and women in Christian ministry. It breaks new ground and is an important read whatever view you hold.

- Dr Michael Green, author and theologian

This is a must-read for anyone considering the Bible’s teaching on the roles of men and women. It has changed some of my thinking. Using his skills as an international arbitrator and his deep theological understanding, Andrew weighs up the biblical teaching on this often contentious issue. His conclusions are fresh, illuminating, and challenging to both egalitarian and complementarian alike. Every Christian leader and serious Bible student should read and digest this book. It will go a long way to bringing greater humility and unity on the subject, which is a great need in today’s church.

- Michael Ots, evangelist, international speaker and author

Although I lean more towards a fully complementarian position, I want to commend this book because of its recognition of the importance of Scripture in Christian belief and practice, its desire to explain Scripture in its biblical context, its scholarly quality, and its promotion of good relationships between Christians who have divergent views, with objective assessment and without personal criticism.

- Andrew Muwowo, founder, Proclamation Institute Zambia

This book’s consideration of male and female relations according to Scripture is a model of clarity, scholarship and summary. It is in every sense a judicious work, which helps to resolve some contentious issues of biblical interpretation. Its aim is thoroughly constructive: to promote mutual understanding and unity among those who believe in and wish to be faithful to Holy Scripture.

- Dr Nigel G. Wright, Principal Emeritus, Spurgeon's College London, and former President, Baptist Union of Great Britain

Global communications are driving social change in East and South Asia. This increases the danger of importing Western theories unchallenged. I hope the insightful exegesis in this book will help Asian theologians and church leaders to engage with the Scripture without getting caught in the tramlines of the complementarian/egalitarian debate.

- Anthony Harrop, former Publishing Consultant Asia-Pacific, United Bible Societies

This book is very thorough, leaving no stone unturned. Some of the ‘stones’ certainly needed to be turned!

- Mike Wheate, formerly International Personnel Officer, Operation Mobilisation

As an arbitrator I look for careful assessment of evidence and contextually-sensitive reasoning. This book has both.

- Dr Robert Gaitskell QC, international arbitrator

An important contribution to a debate on which all sides need to listen carefully to each other with humility and a shared commitment to Scripture.

- Peter Baker, Senior Minister, Lansdowne Church, Bournemouth, UK

This thought-provoking and masterly analysis is also a thoroughly enjoyable read.

- Marcus Taverner QC, London

This is a landmark book on this key topic. It is extremely readable, yet an in-depth study. Unexpectedly I found it to be a page-turner, because I really wanted to know what was on the next page. Andrew Bartlett has a profound understanding of Scripture. This book has changed and clarified my own thinking. It should be read by all Christians, from new converts to archbishops. Wives, buy it for your husbands! Husbands, buy it for your wives!

- Professor Sir Colin Humphreys CBE FRS FREng, author of ‘The Mystery of the Last Supper’ and ‘The Miracles of Exodus’

Andrew Bartlett has carefully studied Scripture to offer a sound assessment of both the complementarian and egalitarian positions. Without advocating one over the other, he has presented very helpful principles to discern how men and women may best witness and serve together for God’s glory in each ministry context.

- Ven. Wong Tak Meng, Archdeacon, Diocese of Singapore, Dean of Cambodia

This is a stunning contribution to the debate about men and women in the church, for which I'm deeply grateful. The author’s determination to follow the evidence wherever it leads, based above all else on meticulous handling of the Bible, has blown apart my assumptions, resolved my uncertainties, transformed my thinking, and built new convictions. I pray that the Lord will use it to help evangelical churches align themselves more faithfully with Scripture.

- Tony Watkins, speaker and writer on media and the Bible, recently an elder of Above Bar Church, Southampton (FIEC), now studying for a doctorate in practical theology

The treatment of 1 Corinthians 7 is the best I've come across. Very sound arguments.

- Revd Kuruvilla Chandy, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

No matter what your current opinion, this thoroughly researched book will make you think... and brings a fresh perspective to the debate.

- Julia Garschagen