Ordained Inequality: How a Quiet Movement Redefined Women’s Roles in Christianity.
Behind closed doors, a small group of leaders shaped a movement that would reach into churches, homes, and seminaries across America — redefining women’s roles for generations to come. Ordained Inequality is an investigative podcast uncovering how the rise of complementarian theology — and organizations like the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood — quietly but powerfully redrew the lines for women in Christianity.
Ordained Inequality traces the origins, influence, and real-life consequences of a theology that claimed to honor women while systematically limiting their voices. This podcast peels back the polished language of “equal in value, different in role” to expose the cultural, institutional, and personal cost behind the rhetoric.
This isn’t just history. It’s the story of real women — silenced, shaped, and sometimes shattered — by a movement they were told was for their good.
Produced by Knotty Spies Inc.
Narrated by Shannon Patterson.
Latest episodes
7 snips
Apr 29, 2025 • 24min
Episode 3 - Biblical, But Not
Delve into the often-misunderstood biblical foundations that have historically restricted women's roles in faith communities. The discussion highlights overlooked figures like the Samaritan woman, advocating for a reinterpretation of Jesus' teachings. It reveals how women played crucial roles in Jesus' ministry, challenging cultural norms and being the first witnesses to the resurrection. This exploration promotes gender equality, encouraging a reevaluation of inclusive interpretations within Christianity.
Apr 28, 2025 • 4min
Trailer - Ordained Inequality
Ordained Inequality Will tell the story of how a quiet movement in the 1980’s reshaped women’s place in the church — not by accident, but by design.
It’s about the gifts we never saw, the voices we never heard, and the damage we’re only just beginning to name.
5 snips
Apr 28, 2025 • 20min
Episode 2 - The Role She Wasn’t Allowed To Play
Explore the historical silencing of women in both theater and the church, revealing the lasting impact of rigid gender roles. Delve into the evolution of gender roles in Christianity and how influential theologians shaped these perspectives. The discussion critiques the complementarian viewpoint, arguing it limits women's vital contributions in religious and societal arenas. Engaging stories and insights shed light on the broader implications of this movement, challenging the status quo and empowering women's voices.
6 snips
Apr 27, 2025 • 24min
Episode 1 - The Secret Meeting
A pivotal meeting in 1987 sparked a movement that reshaped women's roles in Christianity. The Danvers Statement emerged as a response to feminist egalitarianism, promoting traditional gender roles. The podcast delves into the tensions between advancing women in leadership and fears of undermining male authority. It critiques how complementarian theology, disguised as biblical equality, limited women's contributions in church and society, revealing the significant impact of these changes on theological education.
