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Changing Courses
Beth Moore, the popular Christian
speaker and author of numerous Bible studies for women,
created a stir two weeks ago by apologizing on Twitter (she
has a million followers) for how she “submitted to,
supported and taught” complementarianism.
What is Complementarianism?
Complementarianism is the view
that, according to the Bible, men and women are equal in
dignity and value, but God has assigned each gender a
different role within the family and church. These roles
complement each other, hence the name “complementarianism.”
With respect to the church, most
who ascribe to the complementarian view limit the role of
pastor, elder and teacher (of adult men) to men. After 25
years of ascribing to this view, Ms. Moore has now renounced
it.
What’s the Alternative?
The alternative is called
“egalitarianism.” This view maintains that men and women are
equal in all respects, without any distinction as to roles or
functions. Churches that ascribe to this view consider women
eligible for any and all positions, roles or offices within
the church.
While the appropriate role of women
in the local church isn’t a core doctrine of Christianity
(i.e., one’s salvation doesn’t depend on it), every church
must necessarily reach a consensus concerning the matter
because the church either will – or won’t -- have women
serving in certain roles.
I would describe First Baptist as
“leaning complementarian.” This is because, while we’ve had
women serve as deacons and teachers of adult men, all of our
pastors and moderators have been men.
A young man (not from FBC) told me
the other day that “egalitarianism” is the only view he’s ever
known. However, from a historical perspective, egalitarianism
is relatively new, having emerged in the 19th
century, concurrent with the rise of feminism. Until then,
virtually every church in the world ascribed to
complementarianism.
So, Which View is Correct?
There are arguments on both sides.
However, after studying the biblical material, not
exhaustively, but thoroughly, I’ve concluded that the
complementarian position is much stronger biblically (i.e.,
has considerably more biblical support).
In my opinion, here are the
strongest biblical/theological arguments in favor of the
complementarian view:
1.
The “equal in value but subordinate”
idea that is central to complementarianism is analogous to the
Trinity, where Jesus is equal to but subordinate to the
Father. Given that a hierarchy exists in the Trinity, it is
difficult to see how a hierarchy per se can be sinful, as
egalitarians argue. (It can certainly be practiced in a
sinful way.)
2.
No women were among the 12 disciples.
While Jesus certainly enhanced the role of women during his
public ministry, he stopped short of granting them spiritual
authority over men.
3.
Adam clearly had leadership
responsibility vis-à-vis Eve and this responsibility existed
prior to the Fall. For example, Adam named Eve, which conveys
authority over.
4.
I Timothy 2:12 explicitly prohibits
women being in spiritual authority over men, saying, “I do
not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a
man.” Egalitarians thus have the daunting task of
explaining why the prohibition doesn’t apply. In explaining
the prohibition, Paul ties it to the creation account (as
opposed to the unique situation in Timothy’s church), thus
making the prohibition applicable to all churches in all eras.
5.
Ephesians 5:23 declares “the husband
is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.”
Male headship in the home necessarily requires male headship
in the church because the husband’s headship in the home would
be undermined if he were subordinate to his wife in the church
(i.e., under her spiritual authority).
For Further Study
The Council on Biblical Manhood
and Womanhood – an organization dedicated to
the complementarian position.
Christians for Biblical Equality
– an organization dedicated to the egalitarian position.
Pastor Dan