"Does Christ submit to the church? Should Christians submit to each other? What about husbands and wives? In this volume, theologian Alan Padgett offers a fresh look at the ethics of submission, gender roles, and servant leadership in the New Testament. Through his careful interpretation of Paul's letters and broader New Testament teaching, the author shows how Christ's submission to the church models an appropriate understanding of gender roles and servant leadership. As Christ submits to the church, so all Christians must submit to, serve, and care for one another. Padgett articulates a creative approach to mutual submission and explores its practical outworking in the church today, providing biblical and ethical affirmation for equality in leadership. Professors and students in practical theology and gender courses, pastors, church leaders, and thoughtful lay readers will appreciate his new approach to a controversial topic"--Publisher description.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 133-143) and indexes.

Living Gospel : evangelical approaches to gender roles -- Mutual submission and Christian leadership : the Bible and the ethics of roles -- Mutual submission or male dominion? : Christ and gender roles in Ephesians and 1 Corinthians -- Mission and submission : 1 Peter and the Pastoral Epistles -- Headship and head-coverings : 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 from the bottom up -- Submission today : hunger and thirst for justice.