Can women be pastors? This question continues to divide Christian communities, with faithful believers reaching different conclusions based on their interpretation of Scripture. In this episode, we welcome Bridget Jack Jeffries, a PhD candidate at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, to explore both complementarian and egalitarian perspectives on women’s ordination. We examine key biblical passages including 1 Timothy 2:12, which seems to restrict women’s teaching authority, alongside compelling examples of female leaders like Deborah, Miriam, Anna, and the apostle Junia mentioned in Romans 16:7.
The conversation reveals how Christians who deeply love Scripture can interpret the same passages differently when asking “can women be pastors.” From examining house church leaders in the New Testament to understanding how different denominations approach women’s ordination, this episode provides a charitable exploration of both sides. Whether you’re from an evangelical, Lutheran, Catholic, or other Christian tradition, you’ll gain insight into the biblical, historical, and theological factors that inform this ongoing discussion about women in ministry and church leadership.
Bible References:
- 1 Timothy 2:12 (women teaching/authority)
- Judges 4 (Deborah the judge)
- Romans 16:7 (Junia the apostle)
- Ephesians 4:11 (pastors and teachers)
- Galatians 3:28 (no male or female in Christ)
- Luke 2 (Anna the prophet)
- Exodus 20/22 & Micah 6:4 (Miriam as leader)
- Philippians 4 (Euodia and Syntyche)
- 2 John (the elect lady)
- Revelation 2:20 (Jezebel reference)
Dive Deeper:
- Blog – Weighted Glory by Bridget Jack-Jeffries
- University – Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
- The Naked Pastor cartoonist
