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by Rebekah Farquhar

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Students Support New Female Bible Professor

Harriet Congdon and M.Div. student Levi Brotnov discuss his Hebrew and Pentateuch studies term paper in the seminary building. --Benjamin Tertin, photo

Multnomah Bible College's first female Bible professor will begin teaching spring semester 2007.

Harriet Congdon, a 1979 MBC graduate, will teach Intro to Biblical Languages and New Testament Literature: Hebrews-Revelation. A student at Multnomah Biblical Seminary, she will receive her Master's of Divinity in theological studies degree this month.

According to Dr. Rex Koivisto, chairperson of MBC's Bible and theology division, the college has previously considered hiring a female Bible professor. "The idea has been percolating for 20 years or so," Dr. Koivisto said.

He said Professor Congdon was "a top-rated student at the seminary, especially in Biblical languages" and fit exactly what they needed.

Professor Congdon said: "I thought it was important for the school to consider women in the Bible teaching area, but I thought it would take longer.

"I really was shocked when they asked me.

"I have heard nothing negative from the students," Professor Congdon said. "The faculty has been very encouraging, and several have congratulated me. The feedback from the seminary has also been positive."

Dr. Koivisto said that he thought women should have the opportunity to teach Bible and theology if they are qualified. "Teaching is listed as a spiritual gift, and I don't think God gives spiritual gifts based on gender," he said. "If so, it would be the only gift restricted in application.

"All the other gifts are for the building of the body of Christ." Professor Congdon said she loves to teach, regardless of the location. Previously, she had done filler teaching in both Hebrew and Greek, taught in her church's Sunday school program, and home-schooled her children.

Although the feedback from the hiring decision has been positive, Dr. Koivisto said that some people may be unhappy with the decision.

Dr. Koivisto first brought up the topic of women teaching Bible in one of his senior-level classes after a discussion on women in leadership. He said he asked the students if they would take a Bible class from a woman. He then told the students that Professor Congdon would be teaching one of the classes that they needed to graduate and asked again.

According to Dr. Koivisto, the response was mixed. "The women were like, 'Yes!'" he said. "Some of the men weren't so sure."

In consideration of the students, he requested that the registrar list Professor Congdon's first name on the spring 2007 class schedule.

Dr. Koivisto said he didn't want to surprise students, "especially if they don't think they can take Bible from a woman professor."

Professor Congdon will be teaching in place of Dr. Kutz while he is on sabbatical. She said the faculty has provided his notes. "It was really too short of notice to develop my own curriculum," she said, "especially since I am still a student at the seminary."

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