Date of Award
Spring 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
College
Barnett College of Ministry & Theology
Department
Department of Christian Ministries and Religion
Primary Advisor
Dr. Paula Lake
Second Advisor
Dr. William Rudd
Third Advisor
Dr. Jeremy Sims
Abstract
Division, debates, and disputes abound surrounding the practical ministry issues regarding the theology of woman and womanhood, leaving an unresolved stalemate, disengagement, and a mass departure from the church. As a result, the church and culture are left at a point of crisis, devoid of relevant biblical answers to their questions. The church is at a very important crossroad. Continuing on this current path is no longer an option. The time has come to develop an accurate, Scripture-driven theology of womanhood and a Scripture-guided practical ministry response to the issues the twenty-first century woman faces. The first steps entail examining the historical dimensions leading to this crisis, followed by developing a theological and biblical framework of God’s design for woman and womanhood. Apart from developing a Scripturedriven theology of womanhood and a Scripture-guided practical ministry response to these current issues, the status quo will continue and the church will remain irrelevant at a dire time of history. Discussion is crucial in this hour and cannot remain in separate denominational or theological circles. There is too much at stake. It seems simplistic to say that it all began in the garden; however, it did, and this research project proposes that the first step is found by returning to that garden. In the garden, woman was designed by God to be a vessel of honor functioning fully in His purpose, living out the fullness of her identity in Jesus Christ, experiencing the fullness of her relationships with God, herself, and others, being the mission of God in our day, and partnering with God and the family of God in the ministry of reconciliation. It all began in the garden. Of course, that is not all, an attack, hatred, or enmity against woman also began in the garden. Woman’s Enemy took aim at every sphere of woman’s design. His enmity is the v driving force behind sexism, abuse, immorality, sex slavery, subjugation, gender issues, oppression, and church scandals. Spotting his attacks is important for protecting women and moving the church back into agreement with the Bible’s always relevant message and solutions for all humanity—the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Recommended Citation
DeGrie, Cynthia, "GETTING BACK TO GOD’S DESIGN FOR WOMANHOOD: EXAMINING PURPOSE, IDENTITY, RELATIONSHIPS, MISSION AND MINISTRY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WOMAN" (2025). Doctor of Ministry (DMin). 53.
https://firescholars.seu.edu/dmin/53