Dr Beth Allison Barr: ‘Women are not silent in scripture’

Dr Beth Allison Barr’s academic research brought her into conflict with the teaching of the church she grew up in. In this interview, she explains why she believes the prohibition of female church leaders is a modern phenomenon, not a biblical mandate

Recent days have seen history written, with Dame Sarah Mullally named as the first-ever female Archbishop of Canterbury. For many Christians, the appointment is a welcome continuation of the Church of England’s move towards a greater acknowledgement of female leadership. But not all Christians will be so thrilled. 

One person very well-placed to speak into the broader and ever-contentious issue of women in church leadership is Dr Beth Allison Barr. Her rather impressive resume includes being a professor of history at Baylor University in Texas, specialising in European women, medieval and early modern England, and church history.  

It’s this research that has led her to publish two books on female leadership in the Church, challenging the assumptions that women have never preached, taught or held positions of authority. Her latest, Becoming the Pastor’s Wife (Baker), explores how marriage has replaced ordination in parts of the Church as a women’s path to ministry.   

We caught up with Beth (prior to Dame Sarah Mullally’s appointment) to hear about her faith journey, how her husband got sacked for letting a women teach their youth group, and why – despite the growing challenges of Christian nationalism and a rise in traditional conservative values – she’s hopeful for the next generation finding their way to Jesus.