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Women in International Development

In what ways have women contributed to development within their society and/or community?

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Posts tagged Bible
The Lasting Impact of Chinese Bible Women, 1860–1949

by Christy Chia

In China, Bible women were Chinese Christian women dedicated to evangelistic work, most often within churches, missions, education, and medicine. Medical Bible women evangelized through their positions as doctors and nurses or functioned as chaplains, ministering to patients and distributing Christian literature at women’s dispensaries and hospitals. Bible women in education taught in schools and evangelized between classes and outside of school to students, parents, and coworkers.

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EditorChina, church, Bible, education, medicine, womenComment
Reflection on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16: Paul, Culture, and Kephale (“Head”)

by Susan Higgins

“I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:2).

Which instructions by the Apostle Paul are to be considered universal and which are contextual? This article concludes that hair and head-coverings are a contextual issue, and not a universal issue, or an issue of salvation. After examining the range of meanings for “head,” and the implications (such as source and authority), the author concludes that In the final analysis, propriety in worship has to do with avoiding any behavior that would cause any of the other believers to stumble or be somehow distracted from their attention being devoted to the Lord God himself.

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Editorwomen, worship, culture, Bible, equality Comment
Mary McLeod Bethune: An Agent of Change and Leadership

by Namarr Newson

Mary McLeod Bethune should not only be remembered for her work in the social/economic/educational development within the United States of America, the African American community/civil rights, or women’s rights, but also for her heroics and inspirational advancements as a vocational minister.

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EditorNorth America, Native Americans, women, African American, prayer, spirituality, education, poverty, slavery, transformation, social reform, Bible, racismComment
Leading Development at Home: Dr. Mabel Ping Hua Lee (1896–1966)

by Grace May

For Mabel Lee, women’s rights flowed out of a Christian worldview that she viewed as foundational for America’s government and the key to China’s reconstruction. With her doctorate from Columbia University in hand, Dr. Lee eagerly anticipated returning to China to use her background in economics, education and political science to support the building of the young Republic. A combination of forces, however, led her to a different decision. Instead of entering into development on the international scene, she chose to focus on the ministry at her doorsteps in Chinatown.

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Editorwomen, development, economics, education, theology, church, Bible, China, worldview, image of God, transformation, leadership, social reform, violenceComment
Biblical Theological Reflection on the Role of Women

by Junia Pokrifka

The identity and purpose of women has been one of much discussed topics in recent biblical interpretation and theology. The diverse views on women in the Bible are understandable, given the wildly different presentations of women in the Bible, ranging from heroes and villains, leaders and victims, rescuers and oppressors, prophets and prostitutes, mistresses and exploited, and beloved and cheated, to name a few.

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Editorwomen, Bible, theology, creation, image of GodComment
Marie Monsen—Norwegian Cross-Cultural Worker to Henan

by Yalin Xin

One of the cultural tendencies of the Chinese is the emphasis on the past. The experience and wisdom of an authoritative person in the past often serve as great reference for the present. This is naturally reflected in how Christians in Henan remember Marie Monsen. In conversation with believers about the history of the Word of Life church, Marie Monsen is often mentioned with appreciation and respect, as someone who dedicated herself to cross-cultural Christian service in central China as well as a role model in ministry that has had significant impact on the WOL movement. She is part of the story, and continues to be remembered as the spiritual mother of the Christian faith tradition in Henan.

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EditorChina, spirituality, leadership, women, BibleComment
Women of Value: Loving Service in the Gospel and Epistles of John

by Beth Snodderly

Although there are numerous references in the Gospel of John to the male disciples, male Jewish leaders, two men who were healed, etc., there are not many examples of the men serving each other. Rather, it is the women in the Gospel of John who are active in demonstrating what Jesus wants all his followers to be like. Both before and after Jesus’ clear explanation of what it means to follow him, women were serving him and serving others in a variety of ways.

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EditorBible, women, evil, servant leadershipComment