Female leadership in the New Testament : a socio-historical study

Abstract

This study explores the meaning of female leadership in the New Testament by examining a random selection of women in the New Testament. In Chapter 2 a sociohistorical approach is utilised to examine women leaders in the in the ancient Greco- Roman world of the New Testament. The study reveals that though these societies were predominantly patriarchal, there were women leaders leading in various ways in different spheres of life (religious, political, intellectual, and in the home). Chapter 3 looks in more detail at a definition of 'leadership". The Kouzes & Posner's (1995) model of leadership practices, based on research of how successful leaders operate, is used. The example of Jesus as the Master leader is explored against the six leadership practices, adapted for this study. It is clear that Jesus does reflect the five leadership practices proposed by Kouzes & Posner (1995). A sixth practice is added to the list as the study shows that a leader needs a leader - good followers make good leaders! Chapters 4-10 focus on the leadership practices of Mary the mother of Jesus, the Samaritan woman, Tabitha. Lydia, Priscilla and the four daughters of Philip. An examination of the socio-historical context and an analysis of key concepts in each pericope in which these women are mentioned, have been done. From the analysis it is clear that the leadership p r a c t i i of women, called "female leadership" in this study, point out leadership as 'influence" that is achieved in different practices. These leadership practices define female leadership in the New Testament The women are leaders, in some cases within the recognised positions and in other cases without the positions.