I found Deidre's blog while doing some research on the Greek word authentein. I had looked through a number of articles and studies on different web sites and found most of the studies had a predetermined slant to the translation of this one word. Deidre has put in a large amount of time and effort in trying to grasp a good understanding of why Paul chose to use this one word in 1 Tim 2, the only time it is used in the entire Bible. As I read through her writings, I found myself being drawn to more of her studies on different subjects and pretty soon, more than three hours had passed. Finding her studies on her blog was like stumbling onto a hidden treasure of great wealth.
Deidre describes herself this way: "I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (received a double major in History and Music) and now attend Shoutheastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where I am a fourth-year student in the Master of Divinity Degree in Christian Apologetics. I have studied the subject of women in ministry for the last four years and read widely on both sides of the debate. I created this blog in order to expose presuppositions about women in ministry and exalt Scripture as the basis upon which the debate must be decided."
Below are a few links to articles on Deidre's blog that I think are very pertinent to this discussion on my web site. I have linked directly to Deidre's blog for this page in order to give her blog more exposure. They will open in their own window for ease of use. She has many studies she has done that cover a much wider range of topics than the ones I will list here and I would urge the reader to bookmark her blog in order to keep up with her latest entries.
Panageniture: Complimentarians and egalitarians alike tend to use Gal 3:26-29 to support of what they believe. Both sides tend to focus on verse 28 and pay very little attention to verse 29, which is extremely important to what Paul is saying. Deidre is the first person I have read who has written on this particular verse who takes into account a very important custom of the time that Paul lived in. That custom is called "primogeniture" and Deidre looks at how Paul takes this into account in this set of verses.
Authentein: Studies into the meaning and usage of a Greek word used only once in our Bible. These studies done by Deidre are listed in the order that they should be read. One study leads to the next. One of the most important factors in coming to a proper understanding of what the Biblical writers are saying is to understand the historical and geographical usage of words in the context the writer uses the word. Without that understanding we simply are unable to understand in our modern English and modern time frame what was being addressed by the writer.
"Authentes" and "Authentein" Part One
"Authentes" and "Authentes" Part Two
Revisiting "Authentein" with Catherine Kroeger
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