I originally wrote this post over two years ago, which is why there are already 17 comments. As you can see, this issue engendered heated discussion and debate. If you want to jump in with you ideas, please stick to the post subject: what does Deborah, who was clearly a woman set-up as a political AND spiritual leader over God’s people, do to the conversation on women’s role in ecclesiastic leadership?
My first post in the new “what about…” series confronts a touchy subject in evangelical circles. Plenty of churches have split and denominations tend to be marked in one way or another by this issue. Gay marriage? Nope. Infant baptism? Guess again. Women church leadership? DING DING DING! The proper role for women in positions of leadership, especially spiritual, within the church is one of the more divisive and defining characteristics in the modern Ecclesia.
Everyone reading this post knows exactly where their church stands on this issue, because it usually retains it’s own amendment or article within your constitution. Some churches give women a large degree of leadership freedom, even going so far as to allow them in pastoral roles, both associate or senior. Others allow a certain degree of leadership, but certainly not pastoral or spiritual. While others still leave little to no room for women to hold positions of leadership, other than perhaps over the women’s ministry or a sunday school class. Most evangelical, non-mainline churches I know say God does not want women to be in spiritual leadership over His people. But this thinking begs the questions:
What about Deborah?
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I realize I am in the midst of plenty of other “series”, but I thought I would revive a series I began 2 years ago by writing some on-again-off-again posts on thoughts that challenge the evangelical status quo, using the heading “what about…” I do not promise that they will be frequent, long, or even all that inspiring. Hopefully, though, they will inspire novus•lumen in your own spiritual life.
Also, as a bit of a disclaimer, the novus•lumen “what about…” thoughts will not so much reflect what I think as much as what I am thinking. Yes, there is a difference. While you might be frustrated with my ambiguous positioning on a range of issues, I assure you that I am just as frustrated 
My first post will be: what about…Deborah.
be His,
-jeremy
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