Women Deacons in the Early Church
Subtitle: Historical Texts and Contemporary Debates
Publisher: Herder & Herder; Crossroad Pub. Co.
Published: June 25, 2006
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 248
ISBN-13: 9780824523930
Subjects: Christian ministry & pastoral activity; Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church; Christian Church; Women And Religion (General); Religion; Religion - Christian Life; Christian Life - Women's Issues; Christianity - History - General; Leadership; Non-Classifiable; Christian Ministry - Pastoral Resources; Women's Studies - General; Deacons; Early church, ca. 30-600; History; Women clergy; Women in Christianity
Description: One of the most common arguments against the ordination of women deacons is that it represents a break with the orthodox tradition. In this engagingly written new book, John Wijngaards, in a careful examination of historical evidence such as histories, written documents, and tombstones, shows that countless women served as sacramentally ordained deacons in the early centuries of Christianity. Wijngaard’s book contributes to the conversation about the role of women in today's churches, and offers us a fascinating look at an overlooked element in Christian history.