More than "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood"?

By Jessica Gracewski, Caren Lee, and Chris Lee

To continue our series on how AAPI Christians navigate gender roles in the Church (see our previous conversation about Jesus and John Wayne, a reflection on being a woman in Asian church spaces, and unpacking sources of gender (mis)conceptions), we talk with Jessica, Chris, and Caren about how reading The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Dr. Beth Allison Barr and Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Aimee Byrd challenged and helped them reflect on expectations about the roles men and women play in the Church.

What made you interested in reading the book?

Jessica: As a woman and as a full-time vocational minister and spiritual director who teaches, preaches, and leads others (not just women) in many spaces inside and outside of the local church, the historical context of The Making of Biblical Womanhood made me really excited. I wanted to know how we got to where we are now.

Chris: I picked up The Making of Biblical Womanhood after reading Jesus and John Wayne—both challenged me to reexamine my theology on marriage and gender. Because I’m also officiating a wedding this year, I was looking for books that might help me piece together a healthier, fulsome understanding of marriage. 

What was most striking or surprising about the books?

Caren: While reading Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, I was surprised at the length Aimee Byrd had to explain how the Bible shows that God values women and that women were not mere servants of men. The Bible has always showed me that I don’t necessarily need to adhere to the patriarchal structure of society and it was the Bible that helped me understand my value as a woman.

Jessica: I felt the communal cringe. Reading about the culture of evangelical patriarchy and subjugation of women shed some light on areas and awareness of revelation of the “water” I am swimming in. It helped me make sense of some very painful and traumatic experiences that happened to me as a woman who felt a call to teach and preach. And yet, while I do sometimes still experience that today, I am armed and ready with more context and grace. 

Chris: I was most struck by the chapter  “Making Womanhood Gospel Truth.” Dr. Barr takes reformed evangelicalism to task, arguing that their theology of gender and marriage “redefines orthodoxy.” In short, reformed evangelical theologians have distorted doctrines of inerrancy and the Trinity to justify complementarianism. The  connection between Arianism and complementarianism was a “drop the mic” moment. 

What resonated most with you and your experiences surrounding gender roles and discussion in church spaces?

Jessica: As a woman growing up in Christian spaces, I can relate to the idolization of marriage, motherhood, “femininity,” and other ways subordination was sanctified in domesticity and beyond. I was surrounded by others that deeply believed this was the only way to follow Jesus. I grew up believing my self worth and identity came in a hierarchy of attractiveness in marriage, motherhood, and the roles involved around creating a hospitable home. The emphasis on gifting, unique relationships to God, vocation, calling, and giftings outside of this framework were rarely talked about and even more rarely supported or cultivated.

Chris: To be frank, I had to repent a lot. What resonated with me were Barr’s tales of personal difficulties with leaders who outspokenly opposed women from preaching or shamed them for their clothing. I am guilty of these actions as well. I am guilty of believing and teaching theology that has hurt and hindered women. I have a long way to go, but I am thankful that scholars and leaders are prophetically challenging us, the Church, to do better. 

Caren: Growing up with secular first-generation Korean American parents, I had to navigate this journey of finding value in myself as a Christian wife, mom, and daughter who loves Jesus and learning to be the woman God molded me to be. Similar to Aimee Byrd, I learned that my focus should be on how Jesus values me more than how society values me as a woman. 

How has this book informed or revealed about how white evangelical discussion of gender has shaped—if not distorted—similar conversations in Asian American church spaces?

Caren: I think many Asian American churches also interpret the Bible through its own lens of Asian culture (which tends to be more patriarchal). Having attended Korean/Korean American churches, I don’t think the author’s discussion about gender roles was much different than what I had observed in first-generation Korean American churches. In other words, I do not think these concepts of differentiating between sexes, women not serving in the church as leaders were rooted in white American churches but I think it is a common interpretation of the Bible in many cultures and churches (especially the older generation). 

Chris: White evangelical leaders have made indelible impacts on many Asian American Christians. Platforms like The Gospel Coalition and Desiring God are our go-to resources, and pastors like Tim Keller and John Piper articulate the gospel in ways that deeply resonate with us. Copies of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology are in our libraries. However, while we might herald these white men as wardens of orthodoxy, Barr shows us not everything white evangelicalism teaches is biblical or aligned with orthodoxy. It was pretty jarring to think about how white evangelicalism still pervasively forms and influences many Asian American Christians.  

What is one main takeaway you will continue to think and reflect on as you continue exploring your expectations and beliefs about gender roles in the Church?

Caren: Byrd provides many examples about how God created women to actively partake in His story. We should consider how we can better follow the Bible in living out ways that male and female believers can love and submit to one another.

Chris: Dr. Barr helps us look back at church history to better align with orthodoxy and gospel truth and inform how we can today create environments where both women and men can flourish. 

Jessica: There are so many historical examples of how women found their way to define, influence, and serve the worldwide Church for Christ. So now is the time to continue to engage in changing narratives, resisting harmful frameworks, and continue to press on to redefine and highlight the integral and necessary role of women in the pursuit to become more like Jesus.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

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Jessica Gracewski is an Asian American transracial adoptee, spiritual director, and minister in San Francisco, California.

Caren Lee currently resides in northern Virginia. She is married to a wonderful husband and is a mom of three awesome children. She writes a blog with her two Christian friends about living faithful lives: https://girlsgonegod3.wordpress.com/.

Chris Lee is a bivocational pastor who has lived and served in Boston for the past five years, overseeing global missions and justice initiatives at his church. He is married to his best friend and father to an awesome 1-year-old daughter.