Why Can't Women Do That?
Breaking Down the Reasons Churches Put Men in Charge

Philip B. Payne. Philip B. Payne and Vince Huffaker. Why Can’t Women Do That? Breaking Down the Reasons Churches Put Men in Charge. Boulder, CO, 2021, 175 pages. Now shipping.

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In lively, clear language for any reader, this book breaks down the reasons churches put men in Charge. It shows that the Bible affirms the equal standing of women and men in the ministries in the church and in the home. It is the condensation of 48 years of research on this topic and is full of insights that shed new light on a host of issues and correct many misconceptions. It affirms the complete reliability of all of Paul’s teaching.

The work begins with an examination of the various practical and historical reasons churches put men in charge. It then examines all relevant passages of the Bible about women in leadership. It explores Paul’s many statements about women who were his colleagues in ministry and Paul’s theological principles that undergird his affirmations of the equal standing of man and woman in Christ. The book concludes that the Bible consistently affirms the equal standing of man and woman in Christ.

Samplings of condensed responses to the book follow:

• "Profound scholarship broken down to be made lively, clear, and understandable for any reader who wants to know what the Bible says about one of the most challenging issues facing the church today: it sounds like a recipe for controversy and honest discussion! Look at it in a prayerful spirit, willing to have your opinions questioned or supported. You may not agree with everything Payne has written, but you cannot ignore it and only superior argument, not prejudice, must be allowed to reach an alternative conclusion."
—H. G. M. Williamson, Emeritus Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Oxford

• "Philip Payne and Vince Huffaker have produced a readable, comprehensive work on the service of women in the church and marriage. I stress the “readable” aspect because this is not as technical as Philip Payne’s earlier work. But do not let that deceive you, for it contains new research that has yet to appear in print. For an up to date, readable, and enjoyable presentation of the egalitarian case, this is the book to read.."
—Rev. Peter Davids, Chaplain, Our Lady of Guadalupe Priory

• "Seeing Philip’s well-developed arguments in this brief and non-confrontational format is an eye-opening experience. The Bible comes alive as a book written for men and women who are more alike than has traditionally been acknowledged by much of Christendom."
—Rev. Dr. David Instone-Brewer

• ""Payne has done it! He has written a readable, well researched, well-reasoned book, demonstrating God’s consistent support of women throughout the Bible. Starting from Genesis and culminating in the New Testament, Payne shows women as equal image bearers with men, as prophets and leaders in Israel, as disciples of Jesus, and as leaders in the early churches. The trajectory of women exercising their gifts to the glory of God culminates with Paul’s writings, which Payne treats with the utmost care and scholarly attention. Tackling the intricacies of Paul’s letters, Payne addresses in level-headed fashion some of the most common objections to women’s full participation in the life and ministry of the church. Comprehensive, logical, and clear, this book is an indispensable one volume treatment of women in the Bible. I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone eager to hear God’s high regard for women or anyone who wrestles with the Bible’s teaching on women. I will require it in my biblical theological foundations course on Women and Men in Leadership.
—Rev. Dr. Grace Y. May, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Director of the Women’s Institute, William Carey International University

• "I have read most of the books written by complementarians and evangelical egalitarians and I think Philip Payne’s are the best. It is the fruit of forty years of study by a first-rate biblical scholar who does not avoid any difficult issues. The scholarly depth and the clarity of his writing is exceptional.
—Kevin Giles, Anglican pastor and theologian

• "Philip Payne presents a compelling and highly readable case for the full equality of women with men with respect to leadership, gifts and authority within the church. Clear and accessible without being simplistic, comprehensive but not pedantic, this remarkable book presents the best in New Testament scholarship for non-specialists concerned with these important issues.."
—Harold Netland, Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Intercultural Studies, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

• "If you need a book that quickly and clearly exposes the failed teachings of male-headship arguments, this is it! Why Can’t Women Do That? traces the Spirit throughout Scripture affirming the gifts and calling of women. Men and women created in God’s image flourish as they lead side by side. Respected by Christians the world over, Phil Payne’s research inspires biblical justice and opens new doors of leadership for women.."
—Mimi Haddad Ph.D., President of CBE International

• "Payne writes with clarity while dealing with heavily debated topics in this easy-to-understand book. If any reader wants to understand the egalitarian view of subjects such as head covering or a woman’s submission to her husband, this is the book to read. Payne pulls a common thread throughout the book, giving insights showing that man and woman are equal in Christ. This is an easy-to-read and must-have book for any serious reader on the equality of man and woman in Christ."
—KeumJu Jewel Hyun, Founder and President, Matthew 28 Ministries, Inc. and Adjunct Professor of Theology of Work, Bakke Graduate University, Dallas, Texas

• "The writings of Philip Payne have long been my preferred reference works for my studies on the role of women in the Kingdom of God. I highly value Philip both for his integrity and profound scholarship. Why Can’t Women Do That? is a readable and easily understood version of these same materials that clarifies the concepts of the full equality of men and women. I give this book my highest recommendation for anyone impacted by this potentially contentious topic.."
—Dr. Felicity Dale: author, The Black Swan Effect

• "For more than a decade, Philip Payne’s book, Man and Woman, One in Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Paul’s Letters, has been among the most recommended resources for explaining and defending evangelical gender egalitarianism. I expect this will be even more true with this new volume, for it has been written for a broad readership, not specifically for those trained in biblical languages."
—Jeff Miller, editor of Priscilla Papers

• "I heartily recommend Philip Payne new book for any reader wanting a thorough examination on the subject of men and women in the New Testament. At every page you will be challenged by his careful exegesis and thoughtful exposition. In the end you will see that there is every good biblically-based reason women really can do so much more in the Kingdom of God!"
—Randy Colver, Fairburn, GA

• "This revision of Man and Woman One in Christ is less technical but still accurate language is a great gift and opens up the reading audience to many more students of scripture. Brevity with less technical, even popular rhetoric, contributes to clarity and makes the argument as a whole even more persuasive. Payne’s disciplined study brings us ever so close to the original texts of scripture which we revere as God’s word written so we may worship God’s incarnate Word in Spirit and in Truth."
—Richard F. Kantzer, Holland Michigan

• "Philip Payne’s work on this subject has been an invaluable resource to me in teaching and communicating on the subject of women and leadership in the Church. His is a deep, careful, thorough, and faithful dive into the Scripture and into the context of the challenging passages that form so many positions. His own authentic journey on the topic makes him an excellent guide. I am deeply grateful for his scholarship and his writing this book. May it produce even more freedom and good news for God’s people!."
—Dr. R. Scott Lisea, Campus Pastor at Westmont College

 

See other essays and publications by Philip Payne, including articles for free download.

Dr. Payne recently published an article in what is probably the most important book about Codex Vaticanus ever published, written with the senior paleographer at the Vatican Library.

Philip B. Payne and Paul Canart. "Distigmai Matching the Original Ink of Codex Vaticanus: Do they Mark the Location of Textual Variants?" pages 199-226 in Patrick Andrist, ed., Le manuscrit B de la Bible (Vaticanus graecus 1209): Introduction au fac-similé, Actes du Colloque de Genève (11 juin 2001), Contributions supplémentaires. Lausanne, Switzerland: Éditions du Zèbre, 2009.

See Le manuscrit B de la Bible for more information.