Keener proves to be an in-depth, articulate and rational scholar. The sheer volumne of research may be a bit overwhelming for general readers, yet I would still recommend this book tonon-academics. Keener has collect citations and references from throughout the ancient world, for these references alone the book is worth acquiring. I have referenced back to this work so many times my pages are getting tattered. Keener covers all the "disputed" sections of the Bible. He presents not only linguist evidence but cultural and literary sources to demonstrate that Paul never intended women to be excluded from the ministry or denied full equality in marriage.

In addition to the vast treasure of reference work he has compiled, Keener brings into the discussion a point of view from a traditionally black denomination. In one chapter he demonstrates how the paradigm of the church's stance on slavery challenges its stance on marriage. He also demonstrates how the same arguments that perpetuate subjection of women were used to subject African Americans.

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