Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth: An Analysis of More Than 100 Disputed Questions

by Wayne Grudem

Egalitarians, or evangelical feminists, consider men's and women's roles in the home and church to be interchangeable. In this helpful book, Bible scholar Wayne Grudem considers over a hundred egalitarian arguments and finds them contrary to the Bible. According to Grudem, the Bible teaches that God values men and women equally. However, their roles in home and church are complementary to each other, not interchangeable. Arguing against both feminism on the left and male chauvinism on the right, his carefully researched handbook is a valuable resource defending the complementarian viewpoint.

God created us, male and female, in His image.

So what does that mean?

Has the modern church suffered a tragic loss of the beauty of manhood and womanhood as created by God? Has the feminist influence within today’s evangelical church led to a rejection of the effective authority of the Bible? In this reasoned, comprehensive response to more than one hundred controversial claims from evangelical feminists, biblical scholar Wayne Grudem answers these questions and examines the egalitarian perspective on every major doctrinal issue, including: What the Bible says about the roles of men and women in marriage Women in the church and in church leadership Theology and the concepts of equality, fairness, and justice Claims that a complementarian view is harmful

“This is the fullest and most informative analysis available, and no one will be able to deny the cumulative strength of the case this author makes” — J. I. Packer

“This is the most thorough, balanced, and biblically accurate treatment of feminism and the Bible I have seen” — Stu Weber

“After the Bible, I cannot imagine a more useful book for finding reliable help in understanding God’s will for manhood and womanhood in the church and the home” — John Piper

Story Behind the Book

I would like to see this book as the “final answer” to the question of feminsm in the church today. There has been a lot of controversy and debate in the church on this subject and I have used the Bible exclusively to answer the question of feminism in the church. This book must not be portrayed as anti-women, or as putting women down in any way. This book will seek throughout to elevate and honor women, to regard them as equal in value to men yet with different God-given roles. This book fairly presents arguments and facts, leading people to conclude for themselves that evangelical feminism is clearly contrary to Scripture.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Gender, Sexuality

864 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Wayne Grudem (PhD, University of Cambridge; DD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is research professor of theology and biblical studies at Phoenix Seminary, having previously taught for 20 years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Grudem earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, as well as an MDiv from Westminster Seminary. He is the former president of the Evangelical Theological Society, a cofounder and past president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, a member of the Translation Oversight Committee for the English Standard Version of the Bible, the general editor of the ESV Study Bible, and has published over 20 books, including Systematic Theology, Evangelical Feminism, Politics—According to the Bible, and Business for the Glory of God.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed. The author seems to be on a rant, although some may say he is passionate about the subject, but in the process commits the same logical fallicies he accuses egalitarianism and it's adherents of committing. I have found the author's other works quite educational. This one is bad enough to force the reader to revisit his other books with a bit more caution.

[Jeremy]

60+ pages available here.

[Kirstan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite 800 pages to the contrary, I still am not able to see the logic in many of Grudem's positions. I found this particularly true in the passages discussing Deborah and whether or not she was a prophet and a judge. In attempt to cover a wide spectrum of disputed questions, Grudem made many hasty generalizations and neglected to provide the full context of specific biblical passages.

[Nicholas Quient · Rating 2 out of 5]

I noticed I'm giving a lot of 2's to Wayne Grudem. I do not think this is a one star book, as Grudem does some impressive systemic research.

[Iria Enahoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book upon recommendation from a post of John Cooper from the Christian Metal Rock Band “Skillet” and it did not disappoint! Although you study the book more than breezing through it, it’s more of an encyclopedia to dive deeper into the biblical truth and what evangelical feminism is all about by discussing the most common arguments against it, along with analyzing the misconceptions one often has after interpreting the Bible verses. Great to have in your home!

[Josh G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immensely helpful: biblical, thoughtful, and pastoral. Grudem engages with important egalitarian scholars (Groothuis, Bilizekian, Belleville, Spencer, etc.) on all the relevant questions. He provides detailed answers by engaging with them at various levels of hermeneutics, Greek/Hebrew word studies, exegetical fallacies, cultural background, and more.. Even if you disagree with his conclusions, his method, arguments, and biblical focus are well-worth considering.

[JR Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really Short Summary: egalitarian arguments cannot be reconciled with scripture, and because of this, they are a gateway to other forms of liberalism since they must reject the traditional views of scripture (inerrancy).

Read the long summary from booksataglance.com

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A massive tour-de-force, that manages to be devastating in its argumentation while charitable in tone. A model for careful, godly theological engagement over key issues.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't agree with the premise of the book but I am amazed at the systematic dealing with the relevant issues and the biblical texts. This is a great reference for persons on either side of the debate of womens' roles in the church. For egalitarians it shows what arguments you will have to deal with. For those not sympathetic women in ecclesiastical roles, then the book will serve to provide you with arguments.

[amanda gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it MUST be good if i was able to finish a book this long ;)

Superbly written, answering literally EVERY objection and question one could possibly dream up on the topic. It seems impossible one could walk away from this read an egalitarian. Highly recommend.

[Laura]

Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth: An Analysis of More Than 100 Disputed Questions by Wayne Grudem (2004)