CULTURAL CHANGES, THE BIBLE AND WOMEN The Adventist church is struggling to better understand how the Bible deals with the question of ministry of women in the church and a womens right to ordination. The following is a recent exchange between two men after a lengthy dialog involving them and others. DAVID SAID, ATHANS RESPONDS - D.- examples of women being the highest spiritual leaders in the nation ... A.- YES, it seems so. / D.- I dont see any biblical law against women being spiritual leaders at all in the Bible ... A.- YES, it seems so. / D.- Different roles are fine if that is based on skills. But, objectively, there are quite a few women with skills in speaking and organization as well as spiritual submission to Christ every bit as good as any man (two parts) ... A.- NO, should not always be determined based alone on functionary skills and YES women are as good. / D.- The Catholic position of tradition over scripture is heinously unbiblical and damaging. But, I dont think any protestants actually follow sola scriptura 100%. ... A.- YES, it seems so. / D.- Why do we allow women to speak and teach in church when he didnt (even though OT prophetesses were teachers of spiritual truth)? ... A.- GOD DETERMINED IT, of course there were and are cultural considerations in application of known divine perogatives. NOTE: I have laboriously put forth my position of recognition of equal skills and acceptance of women in ministry as preachers, teachers, organizers and administrators. I have acknowledged that the SDA church officialdom debate in America is largely won by those who favor women as ipso facto elders. I have further spoken of my personal comfort with women I know who serve as pastors. I have along the way also acknowledged a non qualified endorsement of women in all of secular life based alone on skills and qualities looked for in leadership. I HAVE MADE CLEAR MY SINGULAR GUIDING PRECEPT concerning the mystery of the complimentary relationship between men and women and Gods preferential appointment for males in the headship of family and church for reasons not always fully apparent. EXCEPTIONS are noted and expected. I am not an absolutist. > And finally you said, What biblical principles do we use to guide in deciding this? My answer is - Adventism is probably doing the best they/we can and must continue to pray and listen to one another without throwing out cheap shots or challenging the personal integrity of the noble opposition. Too often people in dialog simply suffer through the challenge so they can jump to the elequence of their rebuttal. WE MUST make every effort to assume the best of the other and really listen to what they say. NOTE: I believe there is a progressive leftist constituancy in the church that is pushing to make radical changes. Some of them have joined with more liberalizing but well intentioned forces to bring our church uptodate. There is also a cultic fundamentalist retrogressive group who also desire to coopt the majority (conservative traditionalists), who simply trust in Gods Word and belief in the Adventism they have known and come to love. The far left and right see the womans ordination question as a wedge to draw others from the great middle to either extreme. Unfortunately fear tactics have been employed by both extremes. How we interpret the Bible and respond to social/cultural issues in the process is what EGW calls THE SHAKING. In the practical ministry life of the church, general attitudes about women serving are not very different. Peace to you my friend and happy Sabbath as you seek to rest fully in Christ, the only One Who can save us. Blessed be His name!
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 19:58:05 +0000
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