God's Politics Blog » Mimi Haddad

Why did God Create Women?

Mimi Haddad — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:00:41 +0000

In Half the Sky, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Kristof and WuDunn document the global exploitation of women an abuse to which we have become indifferent. According to WuDunn and Kristof, the wholesale degradation of women is not often considered newsworthy. They write:

When…

All Are Equally Called to ‘Servant Leadership’

Mimi Haddad — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:04:31 +0000

How many of us feel uneasy when we are told that men, rather than women, are called to be “servant leaders?” Perhaps we are confused by this notion — that men alone are to be “servant leaders” — because it…

Boys are Warriors and Girls are Princesses? Spiritual Gifts are not Divided by Gender

Mimi Haddad — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:15:21 +0000

Have you ever visited your local Christian bookstore as an exercise in gender studies? Notice as you walk down the “women’s” aisle how all the books take on shades of pink and lavender. Have a careful look, also, at the…

Jesus Didn’t Overlook Gender, He Transcended It

Mimi Haddad — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:00:39 +0000

Earlier this year I spent nearly one week at a Christian university. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the passion and vision of the next generation of Christians, especially regarding gender. I was thankful for the strong…

A Woman with Full Authority

Mimi Haddad — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:30:35 +0000

Many people in Minnesota get really excited about fall. We welcome cooler weather, colorful trees, and a chance to share treasures from our garden. Fall is also a vivid reminder that we are placed on Earth to help one another.…

Don’t Isolate Gender from the Biblical Big Picture

Mimi Haddad — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:00:01 +0000

The gender discussion in the church today is captured succinctly by New Testament scholar Gordon Fee in Listening to the Spirit in the Text. He writes:

Perhaps the worst thing the evangelical tradition has done on gender matters is to isolate them…

Bible Translation Debates: The Challenge of Changing Language

Mimi Haddad — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:00:50 +0000

Have you ever noticed how every day language is used to manipulate and shape rather than describe reality? Here is one example. I used to swim several mornings a week, and as I walked from the locker room to the…

Preserve Biblical Accuracy

Mimi Haddad — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Last week, Zondervan announced that it will phase out the Today’s New International Version (TNIV) of the Bible, which has been in print for only four years. The shortened lifespan of this Bible is a result of attacks launched by critics…

Science, Salvation, Slavery, and Equality: The Bible and Historic Reforms

Mimi Haddad — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:00:39 +0000

Have you ever pondered the dangers of reading the Bible? Perhaps booksellers should provide consumer warning labels that read: “Be careful, reading this book may change you and your worldview forever.” If Christians are correct, we encounter God’s infinite power…

When it Comes to Biblical ‘Authority,’ Words Matter

Mimi Haddad — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:30:46 +0000

In a recent post examining the biblical qualities of a leader, I considered the similarity between the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the qualities Paul requires for elders and overseers (1 Timothy 3:2-3), deacons (1 Timothy 3:8), and…

Criteria for Spiritual Leadership: Content of Character

Mimi Haddad — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:00:09 +0000

Does it seem curious to you that when the issue of leadership in the church is discussed, gender is frequently cited as a primary element to consider? In fact, when determining who may or may not serve as an elder,…

Speaking Truth in Love

Mimi Haddad — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:30:38 +0000

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts revere…

Honoring Deacon Phoebe

Mimi Haddad — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:30:26 +0000

In last week’s post, I argued that because the apostle Paul commended the work of Phoebe—a deacon (Romans 16:1-2)—the tradition of female deacons continued throughout the early centuries, as noted both by the archaeological evidence and also in Christian literature…

Women Leaders in the Early Church

Mimi Haddad — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:00:10 +0000

As you may know, the question of whether women can serve as deacons has been recently debated among many evangelicals. Since scripture makes clear that Phoebe served as a deacon in the church in Cenchrea, there is an abundance of…

Women Preachers Strengthened by God

Mimi Haddad — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:00:15 +0000

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31, NRSV)

Have you noticed how God selects the most unlikely individuals to accomplish extraordinary feats? Defying human standards and expectations, we discover God’s power working in astonishing ways in…

The Biblical Truth about Gender

Mimi Haddad — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:30:00 +0000

I heard a preacher once say, “Don’t let facts blind you to the truth.” What did he mean? Facts, misunderstood or taken out of context, can take us further away from, rather than closer to, truth. This risk is ever-present…

The Unique Awareness, Insight, and Wisdom of Women

Mimi Haddad — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:06:25 +0000

As friends and I met for dinner to enjoy pictures of mutual friends’ wedding, their four-year old joined in the fun. At one point I asked this child which picture was her favorite, and she quickly pointed to one saying,…

Women Who Were Wild at Heart

Mimi Haddad — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:00:22 +0000

I enjoy addressing the contributions of women in history at Christian colleges or universities. When invited to speak, I often make an effort to learn something about the school, particularly their founders and graduates. In doing so, I have discovered…

Spiritual Gifts Are Not Bound by Prejudice

Mimi Haddad — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:00:19 +0000

Many of you have attended a class at church designed to help you discern your spiritual gifts. Thankfully, over the years, excellent biblical resources have been produced that equip believers to discover and develop the gifts God has given each of…

Turning the Focus Beyond Gender Stereotypes

Mimi Haddad — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:04:14 +0000

Do you find yourself reluctant to attend women’s retreats because they tend to focus on things like fashion, women’s emotions, crafts, and new forms of stomach exercises? Are you confused by so-called Christian blogs for women, where again, the discussions center…