Dear Editor,
It is a source of regret that there is such sharp division among evangelicals over the issue of women’s ministry in the church. In John Samuel’s review of Andrew Bartlett’s book Men and Women in Christ: Fresh Light from the Biblical Texts (IVP, 2019) in the November issue of en, it was good to see the reviewer’s affirmation that this should be handled as a secondary issue, with generosity towards those who differ on it.
However, I felt that the review did not give your readers an accurate picture of Bartlett’s book or of the nature of his reasoning.
The book is a detailed examination of what Scripture teaches about the relations of men and women in Christian marriage and in the church. In my view it is a dispassionate and carefully reasoned treatment of these topics. It’s also an enjoyable read. It contains a wealth of insights. It argues for greater understanding and greater unity on these issues. If readers engage with it seriously, I think the conversation can make some real progress.
Yours faithfully,
