Women in Leadership Discussion Paper

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Better Together: Equality in Christ

by Kevin Giles

Summary of STUDY ONE Introduction: Christians living in a revolutionary age

Women’s Liberation has been one of the most momentous social changes in the last 40 years. This has been enabled by: opportunity in education, change of nature in work, availability of the Pill. Women in the Western World have opportunity to be financially independent.

This change has been difficult to adjust to for women, men, churches & businesses alike.

The situation today in churches

Affirmative since inception: Australian Salvation Army

Affirmative: Uniting Church, many missionary agencies, Pentecostal, Baptist at state conference level, Anglican. However, still not exercised at congregational level: Pentecostal, Baptist

Equality with men & women, but not in leadership: Catholic Church

Divided amongst congregations: Lutheran

Against: Anglican Sydney evangelical diocese, Presbyterian, Eastern Orthodox Churches

Christians for many centuries in academic & congregational level have reflected the cultural and social norms of society. They have interpreted the bible to support these norms. The revolutionary social changes have forced the church to rethink what they interpreted the bible to teach.

Profound cultural change and the interpretation of the Bible

Social changes force Christians to rethink their theology. Social norms have influenced how theologians read & teach the bible. This rethinking does not reject biblical teaching, but consider it in light of previous cultural bias.

Western culture is patriarchal. It supports the subordination of women, and the Biblical interpretation until modern times has easily & conveniently echoed this sentiment.

Taking into consideration the cultural change of emancipation of women, following culture is not always evil. It may make believers feel uneasy, but does not mean they are rejecting biblical authority.

There are two broad schools of thought:

Complementarianism = Complementarians believe the historical interpretation of the Bible supporting the continued subordination of women. A pre-1960’s cultural view.

Egalitarianism = Egalitarians believe the Bible affirms gender equality. Originally starting in the 1860’s with evangelical advocates.

The Bible is the ultimate authority. Cultural change should NEVER ‘determine’ how the Bible is read and understood. The Egalitarian argument for women in leadership is based on the creation ideal (Genesis 1:26-28) not an ethical debate of their behaviour. The debate over homosexuality and the debate over women in leadership are two separate debates. The Bible never equates the two.

The post-1970s opposing interpretations of what the Bible says on the sexes.

Complementarian View

Verses relevant: 1 Timothy 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:3-16, 14:33-34; Ephesians 5:22-23

• Man is the ‘head’ of the woman. This is the creation given ideal i.e. prior to sin.
  (1 Timothy 2:11-14)
• The appointment of 12 male apostles is Jesus endorsing the ‘headship’ of man.
• Noted female leaders in the bible e.g. Deborah, Huldah, Priscilla, Junia, held a subordinate leadership below men.
• From the 1970’s the following 3 significant changes happened to strengthen this view:

1. Creation-given ‘headship’ was limited to the church & home

2. The terms ‘superior’ & ‘inferior’ were replaced with ‘different roles’ (which equates to ‘headship role’ & ‘subordinate role’ )

3. From the 1990’s the terms ‘complementarian position’ was given to be more palatable

Egalitarian View

Verses relevant: Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:281; Corinthians 11:3-16, 14:33-34; 1 Timothy 2:11-14

• God made man & woman alike in His image, gave them rule over creation & responsible for procreation.
• To argue women are subordinate because Eve was created second & her deception is incompatible with Genesis 1.
• Woman’s subordination is a consequence of The Fall (Genesis 3:16). It is a reflection of what is not ‘good’ & should be rejected by Christians
• Jesus did not support male ‘headship’
• In Christ there is a ‘new creation’ & equality of the sexes is a reflection of that.
• Paul regulates the ministry of women 3 times in exceptional circumstances (1 Cor 11:3-16; 14:33-34; 1 Tim 2:11-12)
• ‘differing roles’ is never used in the Bible

The two views do not call into question the authority of scripture, but how to interpret the Bible correctly. The consequence of this debate is not insignificant, but has the potential to release and empower half of all people around the world to serve and glorify God more fully.

Finally

Throughout this study be mindful to maintain humility and grace in any discussion relating to this topic. Always seek to hear God is saying through the scriptures, considering the cultural and historical context of the passages.