Women Deacons in the Early Church: Historical Texts and Contemporary Debates

One of the most common arguments against the ordination of women deacons is that it represents a break with the orthodox tradition. In this engagingly written new book, John Wijngaards, in a careful examination of historical evidence such as histories, written documents, and tombstones, shows that countless women served as sacramentally ordained deacons in the early centuries of Christianity. Wijngaard’s book contributes to the conversation about the role of women in today’s churches, and offers us a fascinating look at an overlooked element in Christian history.