Topic > Ethical Issues > Gender Studies >
Cultural expectations of a man
We all have a script we’d like to see work out for our lives. And Joseph of Nazareth likely had one too. But you can be sure his script didn’t include having his teenage fiancée come to him claiming she was pregnant–by God! Today on “Discover the Word,” the group and author Carolyn Custis James continue their study called “Malestrom” by exploring how Joseph battled the Malestrom and his culture’s expectations of what he should do as a man. Join us today on “Discover the Word”!
Being treated like outsiders
Have you ever felt marginalized because of your gender? Well, today on “Discover the Word,” the group continues their series called “Malestrom” by observing that both women and men can be treated like outsiders because of their gender. Today on “Discover the Word,” the group and author Carolyn Custis James discuss how that happens today even in church. Join us today on “Discover the Word”!
When power is used to protect
In the story of Ruth, she’s an outsider, a woman, and a non-Jew. In contrast, Boaz was male, Jewish, and a person of power and influence. Today on “Discover the Word,” we, along with our guest Carolyn Custis James, explore this familiar story through the lens of what happens when power is used not to corrupt but to protect the vulnerable. Be part of the conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
The real message behind Deborah and Barak
Many people interpret the story of Deborah, a judge and prophetess of Israel, and Barak, the chief military commander in Israel, to be about gender. One where the male doesn’t “man up” and a woman has to step in. But is this true? Today on “Discover the Word,” the group, along with author Carolyn Custis James, talks about the real message behind Deborah and Barak. Join the discussion today on “Discover the Word”!
The favored son
Most parents try not to play favorites with their children. But that wasn’t true for some famous families in the Bible. Today on “Discover the Word,” we will discuss, along with our guest Carolyn Custis James, how Jacob’s obvious preference for his younger son, Joseph, created a deep father-wound in his son, Judah. It’s an overlooked “side note” in the Bible that’s critical for us to learn from. A revealing conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
How Abraham influences us today
How does the patriarchal world of the Bible impact our modern understanding of what it means to be a man? Today on “Discover the Word,” we continue our study on “Malestrom” with author Carolyn Custis James. And we’ll be going to the story of Abraham to see how one of the patriarchs influences us today. Join us on “Discover the Word”!
“The blessed alliance”
What does it mean in the second chapter of Genesis, when God said, “It’s not good for man to be alone”? Today on “Discover the Word,” the group, and author Carolyn Custis James introduce an important concept Carolyn calls “the blessed alliance.” Be part of the group for this key conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
The Creator’s view of both men and women
The Bible’s patriarchal culture may seem to be “heaven-stamped and God approved,” but is it? Today on “Discover the Word,” author Carolyn Custis James and the group talk about how from Genesis on, the Creator’s view of both men and women is often very different from what plays out in the culture, both then and now. Join the discussion today on “Discover the Word”!
A Patriarchal culture of the Bible
When reading the Bible, you can’t escape noticing that men were clearly in charge. A patriarchal world is definitely the setting in which the story of the Bible is told. But today on “Discover the Word,” author Carolyn Custis James and the group discuss how making the patriarchal culture of the Bible the message instead of the backdrop to the message can cause confusion. An enlightening conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
Let’s begin a study called Malestrom
Today on “Discover the Word,” author Carolyn Custis James joins the group to begin a series of conversations about something she calls the m-a-l-e “malestrom.” Just as women are often marginalized in our world, Carolyn feels that in many ways men are in trouble too. So be part of the “Discover the Word” group with special guest Carolyn Custis James as they begin a study called, Malestrom on “Discover the Word”!
A passionate worshiper
Mary of Bethany was an ordinary woman. But there was nothing ordinary about any woman in the male-dominated culture of that day sitting at the feet of a Jewish rabbi! Today on “Discover the Word,” we discuss the extraordinary decision by God to “pick a girl” as a person that history would hold up as an example of a passionate worshiper of Jesus. Join us today on “Discover the Word”!
You have an important role to play in God’s plan!
At the very beginning of creation, God made man and woman, a team that one author calls “the blessed alliance.” Hear how God’s kingdom strategy is all about men and women working together.
Overcoming Bias
A Washington Post article reported that recent studies into the nature of prejudice found that almost everyone harbors biases, and these attitudes affect even those who actively resist them. A University of Kentucky psychologist says that much of our self-esteem comes from feeling better about ourselves than about others because of the group we belong to. Prejudice is not easy to overcome, even within the family of God.
Rediscover what it means to be made in the image of God
Carolyn Custis James (M.A. in Biblical Studies) is an evangelical thinker who loves God enough to break the rules—rules of cultural convention which attempt to domesticate the gospel message of the Bible. Carolyn is president Whitby Forum, a ministry dedicated to addressing the deeper needs which confront both women and men as they endeavor to extend God’s kingdom together in a messy and complicated world.
She is also founder and president of the Synergy Women’s Network, Inc.—a national organization for women emerging or engaged in ministry leadership. The Synergy Women’s Network sponsors annual Synergy conferences.
A conversation about God’s plan for women
What is God’s vision for women? Does He have a special purpose for them in the kingdom? Carolyn Custis James explored these pressing questions, and the result is a thoughtful book titled, "Half the Church." Let's sit down with Carolyn James to discuss this.
