Throughout the Bible's long and colossal history men and women have been assigned different but complementary roles and responsibilities. Beginning with Genesis the Bible depicts God calling, appointing, anointing and communicating with men as leaders and teachers in the Old and New Testaments. Women were called to the different but equally important role of support without which God's purpose could not have been achieved.

From the second half of the 20th century on, this understanding of Bible teaching has been challenged. It is claimed that the Bible teaches that women can perform the same role traditionally undertaken by men.

Is this challenge to the traditional understanding valid? This book examines that question.