Volume 10, No. 1 | Fall 2020 The Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership is a publication of the Regent University School of Business and Leadership 1333 Regent University Drive | Virginia Beach, VA 23464 | 757.352.4550 [email protected] | ISSN 1941-4692 | © 2020 Table of Contents FROM THE EDITOR | Joshua D. Henson 1 IN MEMORIAM | Kamerin Lauren 3 FEATURED ARTICLES DISCOVERING AFRICA’S PRESENCE IN BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP | Sióbhan 5 Spruill, Joshua Henson, William Winner and James Wood TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER: LUKE 22 18:18–30 | Jeff Gossmann JESUS CHRIST AS THE ULTIMATE AUTHENTIC LEADER: AN INNER 34 TEXTURE ANALYSIS OF PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 | Ayo Adepoju COURAGEOUS FOLLOWERSHIP ACCORDING TO THE EPISTLE OF JUDE | 48 Kellie L. Playter WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS: A SOCIAL AND CULTURAL TEXTURE OF 56 ESTHER 4:1-17 | Monica L. Isaac LEADING FROM THE MARGINS: THE LITTLE MAID IN SYRIA | Jeremiah E. 66 Shipp THE IGNORED MIRACLE OF THE DARK-SKINNED EUNUCH 81 IDEOLOGICAL TEXTURE ANALYSIS OF ACTS 8:26-40 | Mary Kay Copeland and Cora Barnhart STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AS MODELED BY THE DAUGHTERS OF 102 ZELOPHEHAD | Kelly L. Schmidt GENDER EQUALITY AND RACE EQUITABILITY WITHIN THE 113 CONTEMPORARY UNITED STATES AND POLISH CULTURES | Alina Wreczycki CROSS-GENDER LEADERSHIP: PRISCILLA, AQUILA, AND APOLLO | Daniel 135 Sharma WHEN DIVINE HISTORY TRANSFORMS LIVES: A SOCIO-RHETORICAL 150 ANALYSIS OF ESTHER 7 | Kimberly A. Gentry THE AMERICAN WORKING WOMAN: A CENTURY IN REVIEW | Laureen 167 Mgrdichian and Jake Aguas WAS LYDIA A LEADER OF THE CHURCH IN PHILIPPI? | Peter Foxwell 201 From the Co-Editor Joshua Henson, Ph.D. Regent University School of Business and Leadership On behalf of the Regent University’s School of Business and Leadership and the editorial board of the Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership, I thank you for support of the journal. This issue continues to broaden the horizon of exegetical-based research in organizational leadership in both scope and research methodology. As with all organizations and publications, 2020 offered a significant shift in our original plan to have two issues including a special issue “Biblical Perspective of Gender, Race, and Diversity in Leadership” along with our theme for 2020 “Women in Leadership”. In this issue, we include articles on both topics. Some of the highlights in this issue include articles exploring the role of Africans in the Bible; the American working woman; transformational leadership; authentic leadership; and courageous followership. This issue also explores exemplars such as Esther; the little maid of Syria; the Ethiopian Eunuch; Daughters of Zelophehad; Priscilla and Aquila; and Lydia. We remain grateful for the support and guidance from our esteemed reviewers and the visionary support of Dr. Gomez and Dr. Winston at the School of Business and Leadership at Regent University. Grace and peace in the name of Jesus Christ. Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership 10, no. 1 (Fall 2020). © 2020 School of Business and Leadership, Regent University ISSN 1941-4692 The Editorial Board Representing a diverse group of scholars in biblical, social-science, historical and leadership studies, from around the world, the JBPL editorial board aims to provide a much needed multi-disciplinary, as well as international perspective on current research and interest in Biblical perspectives in the study of leadership. Each member of the editorial board has been selected because of their published research and focused interest in the exploration of leadership within the Christian Scriptures and its application in the many varied contexts around the world. To contact the editorial staff, please send an email to [email protected]. Co-Editors Dr. Joshua Henson Dr. Carlo Serrano Regent University Regent University Reviewing Members Dr. MaryJo Burchard Dr. Steven Crowther Dr. Debra Dean Regent University Grace College of Divinity Regent University Dr. Thomas J. Gentry Dr. Russell Huizing Dr. Kamerin Lauren Carolina University Toccoa Falls College Oklahoma Wesleyan University Dr. D. Brent Powell Dr. Diane Sharpe Dr. Dave Winner Carolina University Grace College of Divinity Regent University Production Staff Dr. Doris Gomez Dean, School of Business and Leadership Dr. Bruce Winston Program Director, Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Program Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership 10, no. 1 (Fall 2020). © 2020 School of Business and Leadership, Regent University ISSN 1941-4692 In Memoriam Kamerin Lauren, Ph.D. March 01, 1979 - September 27, 2020 Dr. Lauren had a heart to rediscover biblical restorative justice. She wrote in her dissertation: “The law according to God, as revealed through Jesus is merciful, it is ethical, and it considers all people. Justice is not intended solely for the ruling class, but rather is in place to protect those without power.” What a wonderful perspective as we consider our 2020 issue. Dr. Kamerin Lauren was a beloved member of the School of Business & Leadership, as she pursued her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership program. She completed her doctoral studies with great excellence amid great suffering. She was - and shall remain - an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Dr. Lauren left an impact on the School of Business & Leadership and she will never be forgotten. Her life and legacy will forever be connected to God’s unfolding plan at and through Regent University. Christian Leadership to Change the World. - Dr. Doris Gomez Kamerin was among the great students whom one recognizes as capable of great insights and developments to the field of organizational leadership. I was equally impressed with your kind and considerate communication style -- she demonstrated respect and love for everyone. She will be sorely missed. - Dr. Bruce Winston Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership 10, no. 1 (Fall 2020). © 2020 School of Business and Leadership, Regent University ISSN 1941-4692 Dr. Kamerin Lauren emulated passion - passion for Christ, passion for social justice, passion to learn, passion to keep growing and dreaming and stretching for higher. She didn't dabble in anything. If it interested her, she was all in - swimming in it, soaking in it. And she didn't want to do any of it in a vacuum. She wanted to love and live and learn in community. She wanted to glean from others and invest what she had in their growth, too. She "pressed on toward the goal" with her eye always, always on the prize. My heart is overjoyed when I think of her passion now culminating with seeing her beloved Jesus face to face, and finally seeing him fully, knowing him as she is known. May we honor her legacy with a passion so contagious, and a hunger to live and love and learn that makes others long to join us. Well done, good and faithful servant. Your passion is still with us, and in Christ, you're really not so very far away. - Dr. MaryJo Burchard Dr. Kamerin S. Lauren was indeed a model of resilience. Overcoming a stroke and subsequently battling brain cancer, Dr. Lauren finished a rigorous Ph.D. program, literally one-handed. I never heard one complaint about her health, nor did she show any signs of wavering from accomplishing her educational goals. Her life was one of determination that is a shining example for all of us to follow as we consider the difficulties that may come our way. She inspired all of us fortunate enough to call her classmate and friend, to finish the race set before use. I pray that her work and legacy will continue to encourage us all. - Dr. Mark Shannon Kamerin is my hero. Her life was a reflection of the grace of God and the power of the Spirit. I will cherish our time together in the "Facebook cohort" of Fall 2013 and am honored to have known her as a dear friend. Her work on restorative justice was profound and I’ll do my best to carry it on. - Dr. Carlo Serrano As a professor and dissertation chair, I love all of my students deeply. I pour everything I have into them. Sometimes, there are a few who are really special to you. For me, Kamerin Lauren was one of those students. I never knew her before her brain cancer and strokes. But, I was blessed to spend a year-and-a-half mentoring a person who literally wrote her dissertation with one hand. Our quick calls ended up being 45-minute discussions. I was continually amazed by her determination. Even until her last weeks she continued to push to make the world a better place. She served our academic community as contributing author and as one of our JBPL review board members. I never understood how she could fight brain cancer and still work and publish. I know that she was an inspiration to all who knew her - and especially to me. I love you Kamerin - we all love you. Rest in hope weary pilgrim. You have reached your great reward. - Dr. Joshua Henson Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership 10, no. 1 (Fall 2020). © 2020 School of Business and Leadership, Regent University ISSN 1941-4692 Discovering Africa’s Presence in Biblical Leadership Sióbhan D. Spruill Joshua D. Henson William D. Winner James A. Wood This article applied social - culture and ideological analysis to Acts 2 and Acts 13 to show how the first church and the development of Christianity were founded by a diverse group of leaders, which included leaders with African heritage. The Holy Bible, as current-day believers and scholars know it, would not be possible without the contributions made by people of African descent. Yet there has been a deliberate attempt by the dominant culture found in Europe and the United States to de-Africanize the Holy Bible.