Yonder
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: C.J.S. Hayward Publications; C.J.S. Hayward
Published: May 05, 2008
Place of publication: Wheaton
Format: Jacket hardcover
Number of pages: 191
ISBN-13: 9780615202174
First sentence: MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- There is a considerable buzz among New Testament scholars over the discovery of a near-complete Greek manuscript to the book of the Bible called Romans. The manuscript is similar to others, but is the first known manuscript to mirror the Today's New International Version (TNIV) in its use of inclusive language.
Description: This is a look at men, women, and the life of the world we share.

A large part of the motivation from this piece stems from a paradox, or at least an oddity. When a feminist takes a position, she is quite often articulate, and can give clear and cogent arguments why feminism or something close to it is needed for the well-being of women (and perhaps men). By contrast, people who disagree with feminism on principle are rarely so articulate: while they may quote the Bible, they so rarely articulate their "why?" that often it is not only feminists who may have never heard why a traditional position has an inner logic and a beating heart that is not only coherent, but is meant for the benefit of women as well as men. (Few feminists, egalitarians, or complementarians have seen this position clearly explained.) In fact, those who disagree with feminism may not have heard any more articulate of an explanation than many feminists! This isn't just unfortunate for complementarians; egalitarians and feminists may not really benefit from such an arrangement either.

The pieces in this volume are connected, each in its own way, to an effort to articulate precisely what is almost never explained even by people who hold it on a deep level.
A quote:

    Interlocutor
    What would you say to, "A woman's place is in the House--and in the Senate!"?

    Articulate Qualitarian
    Well, if we're talking about disrespectful, misogysnistic... Wait a minute... Let me respond to the intention behind your question.

    Do you know the Bible story about the Woman at the Well?

    Interlocutor
    Yes! It's one of my favorite stories.

    Articulate Qualitarian
    Do you know its cultural context?
Notes: The author has a site at http://CJSHayward.com/ . Yonder's homepage is at http://CJSHayward.com/books/yonder/ , and the book can be read online from its homepage.
Table of contents: Inclusive Language Greek Manuscript Discovered, a news article about the discovery of an inclusive language New Testament manuscript.; Knights and Ladies, a qualitative look at men and women.; What the Present Debate Won't Tell You About Headship, a discussion of a spirituality barely hinted at by Biblical egalitarian concerns.; A Strange Picture, a very short glimpse of a spiritually ugly image.; The Patriarchy We Object To, an essay about Orthodoxy and feminism.; The Fulfillment of Feminism, with some Orthodox answers to feminist questions.; A Strange Archaeological Find, a letter in which a 26th century historian looks at curiosities today.; The Commentary, the tale of a man who finds a commentary to explain "all cultural issues needful to understand the Bible as did its first readers," and finds it quite a shock.; Unashamed, a story of renewed innocence.; Yonder, a dialogue turning into story that begins with two disembodied minds looking for something beyond their world, and learning quite a lot about what is a dream and what is at heart a nightmare.