Mission Network News reports on the recent turmoil in Mumbai. It seems that despite the uncertainty, Christian organizations are committed to preaching the gospel as a message of peace:

Gypsy Meadows with Worldwide Christian Schools says their team in the region is safe, but they are rattled. “There’s a palpable and real fear factor in the hearts and minds of the common man in Mumbai, so that rumors and stray and small incidents, practically anything, seems to unsettle the average Mumbai resident.”

Their schools continue to operate, but the tension in the region is likely to push change on the government levels. “They ask for prayer for the city, particularly that the Christians of the city will be able to reach out with the Gospel, which is the message of peace and hope.”

In the face of investigations and terror warnings, Meadows says, “We could pray that Christians can be influential in reforming and reshaping a stronger and healthier government in India. That would do so much for creating a better environment for India as a whole, as a place that we can continue to reach out to.”

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The Christmas story contains some of the most memorable characters of all time: the virgin Mary, Joseph the carpenter, jealous king Herod, the mysterious wise men, the frightened shepherds, and many others. Bringing each of those characters to life is one of our favorite Christmas features—Back to the Bible’s Twelve Voices of Christmas. It’s a well-produced, twelve-part audio drama (written by Woodrow Kroll) that tells the story of Christmas from the perspective of twelve famous Bible characters.

It’d make a great short Christmas devotional series if you listened to a few parts each week. (You can also read a text transcript for each part, if you prefer.)

Many theological issues and questions within Christianity have sparked debate and argument over the centuries, but few bits of theology have as much of a practical, everyday effect on our relationships as the Bible’s teaching on the respective social roles of men and women. At the Been Thinking About blog, Mart De Haan has posted his reflections on what the Bible tells us about gender roles. Does the Bible dictate that women should submit to male authority? Mart notes that “the Bible has slowly developed a reputation for being on the side of men who want to treat women as sexual property and assistants rather than as equals”:

As in the case of so many political and social issues, there are scholars, and studied opinions on both sides. Some believe that the most important statement the Bible makes about gender is found in the words of the Apostle Paul when he writes that, in Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

Others argue just as emphatically that the same Apostle Paul encouraged wives to learn quietly in church (1Cor 14:34), and at home, to be submissive to their husbands, as unto the Lord (Eph 5:22). In another letter Paul adds, “I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (1Cor 11:2).

The post generated quite a bit of reader discussion, so De Haan followed up with second post reflecting further on the topic. If the famous Bible passage about submission to one’s husband has you wondering about the Bible’s teachings on gender roles, these posts and the discussions offer a lot of good food for thought.