Sunday, September 24, 2006

Gender Wars and the Authority of the Bible

At the Denny Burk blog there is a discussion of the Evangelical Gender Wars and the Authority of the Bible. The argument about the proper role of women in church leadership is an old one and SDB views vary [see here, and here]. The central issue in this particular blog discussion is:
The bottom line is that Webb and other egalitarians relativize the teaching of Paul in certain texts (e.g., 1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:3) so as to make way for Paul’s teaching in egalitarian-friendly texts (e.g. Galatians 3:28). So folks like Webb (and apparently Stackhouse) admit that Paul forbids women to teach and exercise authority over men in the church. They just think Paul’s teaching is wrong for today’s church.

The net effect of this interpretive strategy is the elimination of the authority of scripture by marginalizing the teachings of the apostle Paul.
The comments carry on the argument.

I have never felt personal discomfort about serving under the authority of a woman - most of the principals I had when I was a teacher were women - but the Church is different than secular institutions. Women have served as pastors of Seventh Day Baptist churches for many years. Is there a compelling argument, based on Scriptural authority, for or against women pastors?

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