Team visits around the world at the middle of the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women have disclosed concern, uncertainty and sharp disagreement in many places regarding the Bible's teaching on the place of women in the church and the relationship between women and men. Central to the debate are several passages in Paul's writings.

This is a bold and imaginative effort to shed light on what Paul wrote in the first century by asking how he might respond today if invited to offer advice on issues arising in these mid-Decade visits. The four imaginary letters focus on the context and implications of the controversial passages from the New Testament epistles, ordination of of women to the ministry, violence against women and ways of interpreting scripture to discern God's will.