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Send us Fan Mail How has feminism shaped the way we think about women, and how much of that thinking have we brought into everyday life? In this episode of Women and the Church, I’m joined by Veronica Hoyt to trace the history of feminism and explore how its different waves have influenced women, family, sexuality, culture and the Church. We begin with first-wave feminism and the push for women’s suffrage, legal protections and greater participation in public life - including the significant role played by Christian women. From there, we move into second-wave feminism and the sexual revolution: equal pay, workplace opportunities, contraception, changing divorce laws, sexual freedom and the growing emphasis on autonomy and self-expression. Then we look at third and fourth wave feminism, including intersectionality, queer theory, gender, lived experience, power, privilege, #MeToo and some of the ideas that have become so normal in our culture that many of us no longer notice them. But this isn’t simply a conversation about everything feminism got wrong. Veronica also reflects on the genuine injustices feminism exposed, the ways women have benefited from greater opportunities and legal protections, and why Christians should be careful not to dismiss concerns about abuse, vulnerability or inequality simply because they are being raised within a feminist movement. Ultimately, we ask a bigger question: How do we recognise the assumptions our culture has given us and test them against Scripture? Because none of us approaches questions about women, gender, marriage or ministry from a completely neutral position. This episode is part of the Women and the Church series. Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail What can the majority of Christians around the world teach us about women, men, marriage and leadership in the Church? In this episode of Women and the Church, Cass sits down with theologian and former missionary Tamie Davis to look beyond the Western categories that often dominate the complementarian and egalitarian debate. Around two-thirds of the world's Christians live in what is often called the majority world—across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. Tamie explains why Christians in these cultures can approach questions of hierarchy, equality, submission, leadership and gender very differently from Christians in the West.   Drawing particularly from her years living and working in Tanzania, Tamie shares stories that challenge some of our instinctive assumptions: women who visibly honour hierarchical structures while exercising significant influence; marriages where headship and submission are understood very differently from Western stereotypes; and churches where men may predominantly occupy formal pastoral roles while women exercise enormous theological and spiritual influence throughout the week.  We also explore power distance, cultural lenses, marriage, submission, abuse, women's ministry, the idea of heterarchy, and what Western Christians might learn by slowing down before assuming our own cultural expression is automatically the most biblical one. This isn't an argument for abandoning biblical conviction. It's an invitation to hold our assumptions with greater humility, listen to Christians outside our own cultural context and pursue greater charity and clarity as we search the Scriptures together. Tamies Book - https://langhamliterature.org/mafanikio-theology Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail What do complementarian Christians actually believe about women, preaching, leadership and marriage? And is complementarianism really about restricting women—or is that a caricature of the position? In this episode of our Women and the Church series, I’m joined by minister and Bible teacher Stephanie Judd to hear the biblical case for complementarianism. Steph explains complementarianism as a conviction that men and women are equal image-bearers of God, while also recognising meaningful distinction between them. We talk about how that distinction plays out in marriage, ministry and church leadership—and importantly, how differently complementarian churches can apply the same underlying convictions. Then we work through some of the major biblical texts behind the debate. We look at Genesis 1–2 and the creation of male and female, what it means for woman to be created as a “helper”, 1 Corinthians 11 and women praying and prophesying, headship and submission in Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3, and the difficult words of 1 Timothy 2: “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man.” Steph also explains why her complementarian convictions mean she does not preach the main Sunday sermon in her own church, while still teaching extensively, contributing to sermon preparation, exercising significant ministry leadership and speaking to mixed audiences outside the gathered local church. We also address an important question: what happens when teachings about headship and submission are used to justify controlling or abusive behaviour? As throughout this series, the aim isn't to tell you what conclusion you must reach. It's to hear the position from someone who genuinely holds it, understand the biblical reasoning behind it, and then return to Scripture and do the work yourself. Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail What do egalitarian Christians actually believe about women in ministry and how do they get there from Scripture? In this episode of our Women and the Church series, I’m joined by pastor and theologian Megan Powell du Toit to hear the biblical case for egalitarianism. Megan defines egalitarianism simply: that God intends full equality between men and women across context and role. But importantly, she pushes back against one of the most common assumptions in this debate, that egalitarians arrive at that conclusion because they take Scripture less seriously. We talk about how complementarians and egalitarians actually interpret the Bible, why Megan believes both camps often share far more hermeneutically than we realise, and then work our way through some of the major passages at the centre of this debate. We look at Genesis 1–3, what it means for woman to be created as a “helper”, women praying and prophesying in 1 Corinthians 11, the command for women to remain silent in 1 Corinthians 14, “I do not permit a woman to teach” in 1 Timothy 2, submission and headship in Ephesians 5, Galatians 3:28, Pentecost, Romans 16 and the women we see throughout the biblical story. We also talk about where egalitarians themselves disagree, the importance of humility when interpreting difficult passages, and the very real impact this conversation has on women trying to discern how God has gifted and called them to serve his church. This episode isn’t asking you to simply accept Megan’s conclusion. As throughout this series, I want you to hear the position from someone who actually holds it, test it against Scripture and do the hard work yourself. Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail What if the debate over women in the church is starting with the wrong questions? For decades, the conversation has largely been framed around two positions: complementarianism and egalitarianism. Who has authority? Who can lead? Can women preach? Are men and women equal in role as well as value? But what if Scripture gives us a bigger framework? In the first interview of our Women and the Church series (and before we head into the views themselves), I’m joined by biblical scholar Michelle Lee-Barnewall, author of Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate. Michelle challenges us to step back from our usual categories of authority, leadership, equality and rights and consider some of the larger themes running through Scripture: kingdom, unity, love, sacrifice and reversal. We unpack Ephesians 5 and what Paul means when he calls the husband the “head”, 1 Corinthians 12 and the body of Christ, why Jesus completely transforms our understanding of leadership, and what it means that “the last will be first”. We also explore why the gender debate has become so polarised, how feminism and wider cultural movements have influenced the questions Christians ask, and whether our focus on winning the argument has caused us to forget that we are already one body in Christ. This isn't an episode that gives you a simple list of what women can and cannot do. Instead, Michelle asks us to consider whether there is a deeper biblical framework that should shape the entire conversation before we reach those conclusions. Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail Women and the Church. Complementarian. Egalitarian. Feminism. Women preaching. Women in ministry. Few conversations within the church seem to generate quite as much heat—and after 18 months preparing this series, I understand why. Before we begin, I want to explain why I’ve made this series, what the process has challenged in me, and the posture I hope we can carry into the conversations ahead. I’ve been challenged, confused and unsettled. I’ve realised some of the assumptions I’ve made about people on both sides simply aren’t true. I’ve met faithful, Bible-loving Christians who genuinely want to honour God and his Word—and yet arrive at different conclusions. So what do we do with that? In this introductory episode, we talk about echo chambers, complementarianism and egalitarianism, why disagreement has become so hostile, the importance of developing our own biblical convictions, and why Christian love must shape the way we speak about our brothers and sisters in Christ. I’ll also take you through what’s coming in the Women and the Church series, including conversations on complementarianism, egalitarianism, feminism, biblical womanhood, majority-world perspectives and how our culture has shaped the way we approach Scripture. You may leave this series holding exactly the same position you began with. You may change your mind. You may simply end up with more questions. Either way, my hope is that we will step outside our echo chambers, test everything against Scripture, pursue truth with humility, and learn how to disagree without thinking less of one another. Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail We live in a world obsessed with rest, and yet many of us have no idea how to actually rest. Or maybe we don't? Because busyness is also deemed a virtue in some ways? Anyway.... We take holidays, scroll social media and tell ourselves we will slow down once the work is finished. But even when our bodies stop, our minds and souls often remain restless. Aimee Joseph, author of Made to Rest: True Peace in a World That Never Stops, joins me to explore the spiritual roots beneath our exhaustion. We discuss how our desire for control, pleasure and our own righteousness can leave us unable to rest, and why repentance is an unexpected but essential doorway to peace. We also unpack what the Bible says about Sabbath, whether the command still applies to Christians, and how to practise it without falling into legalism. Aimee shares practical ways individuals and families can build rhythms of ceasing, resting, embracing and feasting—even when life is busy, and the perfect Sabbath is impossible. Ultimately, rest is not found in a holiday, a productivity system or a self-care routine. True rest is found in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ. Aimee Joseph on Instagram — @aimeejosephwrites Get the book:  https://koorong.com/products/made-to-rest-true-peace-in-a-world-that-never-stops-672391?srsltid=AfmBOoo681Xu0foQGwQm06ETml_t2_CZYtHgGwvPVDYzo43tSfhaqIdz Also mentioned: Guy Prentiss Waters — The Sabbath as Rest and Hope for the People of God Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail This is part two of my conversation with Dr George Athas, Director of Research at Moore Theological College and author of Bridging the Testaments. In this episode, George explains why “Jesus is Lord” is not merely a private spiritual statement. In the world of the New Testament, where Caesar was lord and Rome promised peace, to confess Jesus as Lord was deeply political. We also talk about one of the most moving parts of the whole conversation: the Samaritans. I had always heard the Samaritan woman described mainly through the lens of Jewish hostility toward “mixed” people, but George explains the deeper history of Samaria, Mount Gerizim, Davidic hope, and why Jesus’ conversation at the well is so significant. We also discuss: What Christians can learn from political instabilityWhy “Jesus is Lord” challenges every earthly powerThe tragedy and judgment in the GospelsThe Samaritans and the woman at the wellActs and the reunification of Israel under King JesusThe Dead Sea Scrolls and the EssenesWhat the Apocrypha is and how Protestants should think about itHow prophecy helps us read both the Old and New TestamentsPurchase George's book wherever you get your books! Bridging the Testaments: The History and Theology of God’s People in the Second Temple PeriodFollow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail Most of us have heard the phrase “the 400 years of silence” — the idea that after Malachi, God went quiet until the arrival of Jesus in the New Testament. But were the years between Malachi and Matthew actually silent? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr George Athas, Director of Research at Moore Theological College and author of Bridging the Testaments: The History and Theology of God’s People in the Second Temple Period. George helps us understand what was really happening between the Old and New Testaments, why the Second Temple period matters, and how this missing history shapes the way we read the Gospels. We talk about the return from exile, Davidic hope, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the rise of the Pharisees and Sadducees, prophecy, the temple, and why the idea of “400 years of silence” may be far more problematic than many Christians realise. This conversation genuinely blew my mind — and helped me see that the New Testament does not appear out of nowhere. God was still at work between the Testaments, preparing the way for the coming of Christ. BUY GEORGE'S BOOK! - Worth every cent.  https://koorong.com/products/bridging-the-testaments-the-history-and-theology-of-gods-people-in-the-second-temple-period-646469?srsltid=AfmBOooSlXVNq4zT42uG_51b0Wpf-VTc-Ut4MkeEph18_gjQwiIOCC5v Georges Blog https://withmeagrepowers.wordpress.com/about/ Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail Abortion is one of the most difficult and divisive issues in Australia today. As the pro-life movement gains traction, Christians need to ask not only what we believe, but how we are carrying those convictions. In this episode, Cass speaks as a pro-lifer to pro-lifers. She gives a snapshot of abortion law and culture in Australia, reflects on Psalm 139, and addresses the growing infighting between incrementalists and abolitionists in the pro-life movement. But this is not just about politics or strategy. It is also about women facing unplanned pregnancies. Many women who seek abortion are scared, misinformed, unsupported, pressured, or convinced they have no other option. If Christians are going to speak up for unborn children, we must also be ready to support women in crisis. The unborn child is not disposable.  But the woman is not the enemy. We must speak truth.  We must defend life.  And we must support pregnancy centres doing the work on the ground. Topics covered: Abortion in Australia Pro-life movement in Australia Psalm 139 and unborn life Incrementalists vs abolitionists Christian character in public debate Women facing unplanned pregnancies Pregnancy centres and practical support Why Christians must be people of word and deed Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail Join our book club link here: hertheology.supercast.com Parenting can often feel overwhelming. We want to raise our children well, disciple them faithfully, and navigate the pressures of modern family life, yet many of us feel like we're making it up as we go. In this episode, I sit down with Harriet Connor and Andrew Horsfield, contributors to Parenting in God's Family Volume 2, to talk about the realities of parenting, discipleship, fatherhood, motherhood, family life, and the role of the church in raising children. We discuss parenting failures, finding healthy limits, why children need more than just their parents, the importance of fathers taking responsibility for discipleship, and how modern culture has reshaped our understanding of family. Whether you're parenting toddlers, teenagers, or preparing for family life in the future, this conversation offers practical wisdom and biblical encouragement. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 06:10 Our biggest parenting failures 14:00 Finding healthy limits as parents 25:50 Work, provision and family life 36:00 What is a family actually for? 46:30 What does it mean for fathers to lead? 58:50 Are dads outsourcing discipleship? 1:13:30 The biggest parenting traps today 1:21:00 Why Parenting in God's Family Volume 2 matters Connect with Harriet and the Growing Faith team: https://growingfaith.com.au Get Parenting in God's Family Volume 2: https://youthworksmedia.net/collections/parenting/products/parenting-in-gods-family-volume-2 Read more about working as a mum here: https://growingfaith.com.au/articles/mothers-have-always-worked If this episode encouraged you, please consider sharing it with a friend and leaving a review. Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail What should Christians do when a respected ministry leader is disqualified? In this episode, Cass reflects on the recent news surrounding Sam Allberry and explores a broader question facing the Church today: when Christian leaders fall into sin, should we reject everything they have ever taught? Drawing from Scripture, church history, and current events, Cass discusses repentance, restoration, leadership qualifications, cancel culture, and why wisdom is needed when evaluating the legacy of fallen leaders. She also turns to a far less discussed issue: pornography in the Church. If we are outraged when pastors are disqualified for sexual immorality, are we taking seriously the widespread struggle with pornography and sexual addiction happening within our congregations? This episode is a call for biblical discernment, consistency, repentance, and grace. In this episode:  The Sam Allberry situation and church accountability  What disqualifies a Christian leader?  Should we cancel everything a fallen leader taught?  What Scripture teaches about repentance and restoration  Why God has always used broken people  The hidden pornography crisis in the Church  Why churches need better support for those struggling with sexual sin  How to think wisely about leadership, grace, and truth Timestamps 00:00 Introduction  06:19 The Sam Allberry situation explained  10:40 What qualifies someone for church leadership?  16:30 Should we cancel a leader's past teaching?  22:20 Can God still use flawed people?  28:15 False teachers vs repentant leaders  34:00 The church's pornography problem  39:10 What the latest research reveals  44:00 Why churches must do better  48:30 Final reflections on grace, wisdom and accountability Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Her Theology, I’m joined by theologian and ethicist Dr Andrew Sloane to discuss voluntary assisted dying, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, palliative care, dignity, suffering and the Christian view of death. Voluntary assisted dying is now legal across most of Australia, and the conversation is only growing. But how should Christians think about it? Is euthanasia an act of compassion? What is the difference between voluntary assisted dying, palliative care, withdrawing treatment and physician-assisted suicide? And what does Scripture teach us about human dignity, suffering, autonomy, community and death? In this conversation, we discuss:  the difference between euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide and voluntary assisted dying  why palliative care is not the same as euthanasia  where voluntary assisted dying laws currently sit in Australia  why Canada and the Netherlands raise serious ethical concerns  autonomy, suffering and the slippery slope argument  whether Christians should support voluntary assisted dying  what it means to die with dignity  the difference between prolonging life and prolonging dying  why medicine should be understood as care, not just cure  how Christians should think about death as an enemy  the biblical basis for human dignity and the image of God  why community matters when we care for the dying  how the church can tell better stories about death, care and hope This is a deeply personal and theological conversation about one of the most important ethical issues facing Australia today. If you are wrestling with questions around euthanasia, assisted dying, palliative care, end-of-life care, suffering, medical ethics or Christian bioethics, this episode will help you think biblically, carefully and compassionately. Topics covered: voluntary assisted dying, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, palliative care, Christian ethics, medical ethics, dignity, death, suffering, end-of-life care, pro-life ethics, Australia VAD laws, Canada euthanasia laws, Christian view of death, image of God, autonomy, community and care. Articles and links mentioned: https://www.morling.edu.au/staff/andrew-sloane https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-29/annaliese-holland-opens-up-voluntary-assisted-dying/106503200 https://publicchristianity.org/author/andrewsloane/ Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail **Men & Women invited!**  - Join the book club at hertheology.supercast.com Have you ever wondered if your view of God is too small? This June, the Her Theology Book Club is diving into The Attributes of God by Arthur Pink—a classic work that has challenged Christians for generations to think more deeply about who God is and to worship Him with greater awe. Over eight weeks, we'll slowly work through the book together, exploring God's holiness, sovereignty, love, justice, faithfulness, and more. Whether you're new to theology or simply looking for accountability to read more consistently, this book club is designed to help you grow in your understanding of God alongside a community of like-minded saints. As a member, you'll receive:  A weekly reading plan  Discussion questions and summaries delivered to your inbox  Access to our private WhatsApp group  Monthly online catch-ups with discussion, community, and a little bit of fun If you're ready to deepen your faith and develop a bigger view of God, we'd love to have you join us. Book Club starts Monday 8 June. Join here: hertheology.supercast.com Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.

Send us Fan Mail Australia’s gender identity debate is no longer theoretical. The Giggle v Tickle case has exposed how difficult it is for women to maintain female-only spaces under current Australian law. In this episode, I look at how we got here, from the 2013 changes to the Sex Discrimination Act, to shifting medical language around gender dysphoria and gender incongruence, to the growing international backlash against unquestioned “gender-affirming care.” We also discuss the Cass Review in the UK, the new detransition clinic in Texas, the stories of detransitioners becoming harder to ignore, and why the evidence around desistance, suicide and medical transition is far more complicated than the slogans suggest. This is not about cruelty. It is about truth, compassion, women’s spaces, children’s safety, and why Australians need to speak clearly while there is still time. Previous episodes mentioned: The (Trans) Gender Revolution: A Biblical, Biological and Compassionate Response with Patricia Warekoon https://www.hertheology.com/podcast/episode/7c602684/the-trans-gender-revolution-a-biblical-biological-and-compassionate-response-with-patricia-warekoon The Truth About Gender Ideology in Australia = Kirralie Smith https://www.hertheology.com/podcast/episode/7cde9647/the-truth-about-gender-ideology-in-australia-ft-kirralie-smith What does the Bible say about Gender Identity with Rob Smith https://www.hertheology.com/podcast/episode/7b8a6efe/what-does-the-bible-say-about-gender-identity-with-rob-smith Responding To The Transgender Argument with Rob Smith https://www.hertheology.com/podcast/episode/79e99368/responding-to-the-transgender-argument-with-rob-smith Follow @hertheology on Instagram & YouTube.  Head to hertheology.com to find out more.