The Council of Minds: A Theological Novel
Chapter 9: The Veil, the Voice, and the Vocation
The hall shifted again.
Paintings of biblical women appeared along the walls: Deborah, the judge with lifted sword; Phoebe, the deaconess, holding Paul’s letter to the Romans; Junia, the apostle, eyes bold; Mary of Bethany, learning at Jesus’ feet.
A hush fell.
From the shadows stepped a woman clothed in theological silence, her scroll unopened. Her name was Tradition, and she held both a veil and a crown.
Tertullian was not present, but his words echoed: “Woman, you are the devil’s gateway.”
Augustine, sighing, replied, “The woman is made in the image of God, with the man. But let all things be done with order.”
Aquinas, with scholastic caution, added: “The male is the active principle in generation, the female the passive. Therefore, priesthood rightly belongs to the male—though not by superiority of soul.”
Luther nodded: “Eve sinned first. Let her not teach in the church, lest confusion abound. Yet a godly woman is a treasure above rubies.”
Calvin, ever careful, wrote: “Women may not preach publicly, for it is contrary to nature and apostolic instruction.”
But then Wesley stood.
“There is no male or female in Christ,” he said, “and the Spirit falls where He wills. I have seen women prophesy, preach, and suffer more than men.”
Bonhoeffer added quietly, “In the underground church, we did not ask the gender of the one who preached. We asked only: was it Christ who spoke?”
Barth, torn, admitted: “The Word is sovereign. If it comes through a woman, let us not be deaf.”
Lewis hesitated, as if the question made him uncomfortable. “The man, perhaps, plays priest as Christ to the Church,” he murmured, “but I confess… I do not know how deeply the mystery runs.”
And from the far end of the room, a new voice rose. It was clear, scriptural, unashamed.
“I, Junia, greet you,” she said. “Paul called me an apostle before anyone questioned whether I should be one.”
The hall shifted uncomfortably.
Chapter 10: Authority and the Imago Dei
Aquinas, methodical: “The soul has no sex, yet in governance the male leads by nature.”
Calvin: “Authority is not tyranny. Yet leadership belongs to men by divine ordinance.”
Wesley: “Authority belongs to the Spirit. Let the gifts decide the call.”
Barth: “Revelation disrupts structure. If God speaks, who dares silence?”
Lewis, now thoughtful: “Perhaps the image of God in woman is not a mirror of man, but a mirror of Christ in her own right.”
Augustine added, “We are all wounded by Eve’s fall. But all are healed by Christ.”
Bonhoeffer: “Christ entered the world through the womb of Mary. The Incarnation itself testifies to feminine dignity.”
And C.S. Lewis, turning toward the portraits on the wall, said softly:
“The devil hates women—not because they are weak, but because they are vessels of life, and that was the first thing he tried to steal.”
Chapter 11: The Veil Torn
As the debate reached its height, the hall transformed again—now resembling a cathedral and a courtroom at once.
At the front appeared a veil, torn from top to bottom.
The voice of Christ echoed:
“In Me there is no male or female. The gifts I give are not determined by birth, but by My breath.”
Then came a vision—not theology, not doctrine, but revelation.
A woman, crowned with fire, preached to thousands.
A man wept as she laid hands on him.
A young girl read Isaiah to a bishop.
A grandmother baptised her dying grandson in a prison cell.
A nun stood before kings and testified of Christ.
Theologians fell silent.
Not convinced.
Not unanimous.
But quieter.
More reverent.
Epilogue to Part III: The Echoes of Esther
As the theologians withdrew to study, pray, and ponder, Esther’s shadow passed through the room, whispering:
“And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
She left behind her crown.
No one dared pick it up.
Not yet.
Coming Next in Part IV: Scripture and Interpretation – Who Owns the Word?
Would you like to proceed directly to Part IV, or explore a side chapter with fictional letters between the theologians about women and spiritual gifts?