Why do complementarians seem so nasty to women in ministry?
One of the frustrations that I have had regarding the subject of women in ministry is the attitude of complementarians towards women who teach the bible to men. Shouldn't the body of Christ be kind, loving and respectful to one another? Certainly we can agree to disagree on issues without becoming disagreeable. I mean, I can accept a person that has read the scriptures and has come to the conclusion that women shouldn't be teaching the bible to men. In fact I have met many women who do not believe that they should be in any kind of position where they would be teaching the bible to men in any form. If that is their belief then I am certainly not one to push them into an area where they feel that they would be displeasing God. If they want to discuss the issue with me, I am very open to discussion, but I would never try to push a woman into disobeying her conscience.
The problem I have, though, is that often these women are trying hard to judge me as being in sin when the bible says nothing about women who teach the bible to men as being in unrepentent sin. If we can agree to disagree that's fine. I don't say that they are in sin for following their belief and they can disagree with me, but can we not disagree without a charge of sin?
The Bible lists many areas of sin and each sin is attested to with at least one other witness. In which list would we put the "sin" of teaching the bible to men? Which one of the 10 commandments might this "sin" be found under? Why is this "sin" the only sin in the Bible to not have a second witness?
Months ago I spoke with a Pastor who is part complementarian. He said that he sees nothing scripturally wrong with women teaching the bible to men. He thinks that the only restriction on women is that they cannot be Pastors. However he says that he would never judge a woman who feels called of God to the Pastorate and he would never accuse her of sin. He says that this is going beyond scripture and to accuse one of sin when the bible doesn't say that is to unfairly judge our sisters in Christ. I fully agree with his statement about judgment. If the Bible says it is a sin there will always be a second witness and then we are responsible for gently restoring an erring brother or sister in Christ. However to throw grenades at each other by labeling a godly Christian woman teaching correct Christian doctrine to men and women as a "sinner" merely by her using her God-given gifts, I believe this is hurting the heart of God and hurting to the body of Christ.
The problem I have, though, is that often these women are trying hard to judge me as being in sin when the bible says nothing about women who teach the bible to men as being in unrepentent sin. If we can agree to disagree that's fine. I don't say that they are in sin for following their belief and they can disagree with me, but can we not disagree without a charge of sin?
The Bible lists many areas of sin and each sin is attested to with at least one other witness. In which list would we put the "sin" of teaching the bible to men? Which one of the 10 commandments might this "sin" be found under? Why is this "sin" the only sin in the Bible to not have a second witness?
Months ago I spoke with a Pastor who is part complementarian. He said that he sees nothing scripturally wrong with women teaching the bible to men. He thinks that the only restriction on women is that they cannot be Pastors. However he says that he would never judge a woman who feels called of God to the Pastorate and he would never accuse her of sin. He says that this is going beyond scripture and to accuse one of sin when the bible doesn't say that is to unfairly judge our sisters in Christ. I fully agree with his statement about judgment. If the Bible says it is a sin there will always be a second witness and then we are responsible for gently restoring an erring brother or sister in Christ. However to throw grenades at each other by labeling a godly Christian woman teaching correct Christian doctrine to men and women as a "sinner" merely by her using her God-given gifts, I believe this is hurting the heart of God and hurting to the body of Christ.
posted by Cheryl Schatz at 9:34 PM
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