Anne Eggebroten visited Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and what she found there shocked her. As a matter of fact, she was so shocked that she wrote about that experience in the July 2010 edition of Sojourners magazine. Readers of her article are likely to experience a shock of their own — they will be shocked that Eggebroten could actually have been surprised by what she found there.
In “The Persistence of Patriarchy,” Eggebroten writes about “the wide reach” of complementarian views of manhood and womanhood among conservative Christians. Her article is subtitled: “Hard to believe, but some churches are still teaching about male headship.” Hard to believe?
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6 comments:
I don't know who this lady is (I just read the article), but she reminds me of a friend of mine. A couple of weeks ago, this lady (who I've known since gramar school, although she's lived abroad most of that time) told me at a cookout that she'd heard something at the ladies' fellowship lunch that made her "so sad".
Full disclosure: this friend of mine has been a professing evangelical Christian since childhood, graduated Bible college, and is a newcomer to our church - which sounds identical, in theory and practice, to the description of Grace in the article.
She just didn't see why women can't be preachers, "based on 1 verse in 1 Corinthians." I asked her if she remembered what the Synthetic Principle of hermeneutics is (she didn't); the idea that Scripture must always be interpreted in light of other Scripture. "You cited 1 Corinthians, but when you mention complementarianism, my mind goes immediately to Ephesians chapter 4, Titus 2, and 1st Peter," I explained.
She then showed me a book by Tony Campolo which her husband is reading, which I opened at random, and immediately caught an example of BLATANT eisogesis (he was attempting to read a 21st century feminist viewpoint back into the writings of Paul.) I also explained that Tony Campolo has a flawed view of the Atonement and therefore his opinion about anything is irrelevent to me.
The bottom line is that my friend, like many others, has a pride problem. She doesn't want to hear what doesn't appeal to her; she wants the Bible to say something it doesn't so that she can be more respected (in her view) for service in ministry. This is totally antithecal to what the Bible teaches. If we truly have humility before God and a servant's heart, we will joyfully yeild to His will, find ways to use our gifts in biblically sanctioned ways (as I point out in my book, half of the world's population is women); and above all, NOT try to change the clear direction of Scripture on this matter. Difference in role and calling does NOT mean unequal before God!
Marie,
1 Timothy 2:12 states women are not to teach, or be in authority over men, Paul goes on to explain why...it goes out of the order of creation,as well as the fact the Eve was the one who fell into sin.
Feminism within the realm of Christianity is a deadly root. We simply cannot pick and choose what we think applies; either you follow and beleive the WHOLE bible from Gen. to Rev. or you don't.
Thanks for your comment; may the Lord use you to keep on speaking truth, boldly and in love!!!
Do-oh!! I missed the 1 Timothy passage - and that would have been a deal-breaker! Thanks ~ I'll tuck that away in case this issue ever comes up again. She won't get far at our church trying to change things, though. Fortunately, we have a very strong leadership committed to what Scripture says.
Hope you're having a wonderful summer!
~Marie
I just had this conversation with a pentecostal woman who wasn't aware women aren't to preach. We also touched on the subject of speaking in tongues; I told her I believe that gift has ceased. She disagreed, claiming she hasn't been the same since she spoke in tongues. It would seem the gift of tongues given by the Spirit is confused with the fruit of the Spirit, she sees tongues as 'evidence' of salvation, proof one has the Spirit. I asked her why is it we never hear of this tongue speaking outside the pentecostal denomination; she didn't have an answer.
False misconceptions about God's word lead to all kinds of disarray in the church, including women supposedly having a 'right' to preach.
It all boils down to a continual cherry-picking of what you want to believe and what you don't.
You are right, pride keeps many from admitting what God's word clearly says; I read His word with the 'black and white' mentality. When you look for 'gray' areas, that's when things get shady!
I just got into a discussion with some ladies at our church's nursery about this. It's nice to be somewhere where women understand this.
It comes down to those who have ears to hear; there are many women who name the name of Christ and yet, do not come under full submission to Him and His word. Feminism is so deeply embedded in their brains, they cannot see what God's word truly and clearly says. Pride is a terrible sin.
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