WOMEN WHO PROCLAIM IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: JOHN 4 AND JOHN 20 AS PARADIGMS OF WOMEN’S PROCLAMATION AND LEADERSHIP FOR THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH

Why do women experience a challenge when trying to relate to the biblical text? Women often feel like their voice is ignored and their story is silenced. Even with this challenge present, women have preached and proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ since the beginning of the faith. Women’s activity in the life of Christ is evident throughout the gospels, especially the gospel of John. However, certain congregations and denominations still assert that women are to be silent and submissive, and reserve leadership within the church to male pastors, preachers, and teachers. These groups misinterpret certain biblical text in an effort to maintain that women cannot be called to lead ecclesial bodies.

Such actions silence key passages in the New Testament. The Gospel of John elevates the role of women in the life and ministry of Jesus. This thesis will look at the narratives of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in John 4 and Mary Magdalene’s role in proclamation in the resurrection story in John 20, showing the manner in which scriptural text is used to elevate women’s leadership in the life of the modern church. The Gospel of John describes Jesus' view of women is one that elevates their status, personhood, and ability to share the gospel message. In the text, women are not merely followers, but they lead others to a knowledge of the Messiah. Not only is the discipleship of women important to Jesus, but Christ also calls women to then proclaim and share their experiences with others. This thesis will serve as a scriptural basis for elevating the leadership of both lay and clergy women and teaching faithful exegesis of the text within the modern ecclesial context. It will demonstrate the manner in which accurate exegesis leads to faithful preaching and teaching through a detailed analysis of John 4 and John 20.