Date of Award

Fall 2025

Thesis Type

Rollins Access Only

Degree Name

Master of Liberal Studies

Advisor(s)

Dr. Todd French

Abstract

This thesis argues that a conservative, orthodox, Protestant, and evangelical reading of Scripture affirms the ontological and vocational equality of men and women in both the Old and New Testaments. While acknowledging the historical reality of patriarchal social structures that have shaped Western culture and influenced Christian theology, this study contends that such structures are not intrinsic to the biblical witness itself. Scripture presents men and women as equal image-bearers of God, jointly called to steward creation and participate fully in the redemptive mission of God. The persistence of hierarchical gender models within conservative Christianity, particularly in the form of contemporary complementarianism, is therefore best understood as a theological accommodation to cultural norms rather than a necessary implication of biblical fidelity. The core of this study engages biblical texts commonly cited in support of male authority. Employing rigorous grammatical, lexical, and socio-historical exegesis, the thesis argues that the scriptures do not establish an ontological or vocational hierarchy between the sexes. Instead, when read within their literary and canonical contexts, they affirm mutuality, shared authority, and co-laboring within the covenant community. Central to this argument is the doctrine of the Imago Dei, which grounds human dignity and vocation equally in men and women, and the New Testament vision of justice that restores right relationships within the body of Christ. By engaging conservative and evangelical scholars who affirm women’s full participation in the church, this thesis demonstrates that egalitarian conclusions are not the product of theological liberalism or modern feminist ideology but arise from faithful engagement with Scripture. Ultimately, this work offers a constructive theological framework that upholds biblical authority while liberating women from interpretive systems that diminish their calling. In doing so, it seeks to strengthen the church’s witness by recovering a biblically grounded vision of justice, equality, and shared vocation rooted in God’s redemptive purposes.

Rights Holder

Michael S Phillips

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