Writing about the issue of women in ministry is something I have been reluctant to do. And my reluctance is because of something said by the editor of the book
Two Views on Women in Ministry. James R. Beck says at the conclusion of this book:
Deciding this one issue responsibly requires vast knowledge of a great many subjects. As we have seen in this volume, one needs to know a great deal about both Testaments and about sound principles of interpreting the Scriptures. It is helpful to know about the cultures surrounding ancient Israel and the church. Since so many of the questions that emerge while deciding this issue revolve around grammar and the meaning of words, we need linguistic experts to help us make good, balanced decisions. And the list of helpful skills goes on and on.
This is a complicated issue. Despite notions to the contrary, this isn't a "what verse tells me the answer?" question. I recognize my lack of expertise in these areas, and I realize that to understand it fully, I need to invest some time reading and thinking. The only reason I'm doing this now is because I have chosen this topic for term paper I am writing for a class this semester. This is the first volume I have read as I begin my research.
In this Counterpoints Series volume, four scholars present their views: two from the egalitarian view and two from the complementarian side. After each essay, each scholar submits his/her evaluation of that argument. The contributors are all well-educated in their fields, and have proven their scholarship. They aren't the only voices to hear, but they are a good place to start.
Linda Belleville and Craig Keener write from the egalitarian perspective. I appreciated both of their contributions. They both take a great interest in the cultural background of the Scripture passages involved. In the past, when I have read complementarian articles this has not always been the case. Keener, especially is great with this; it is his area of specialty.
Craig Blomberg and Tom Schreiner bring the complementarian views. I was especially appreciative of Craig Blomberg's essay because he was very good about acknowledging areas where he agreed with the other scholars. He was willing to acknowledge when 100% certainty was not possible. Schreiner is a great New Testament scholar, and I have benefitted from his writing in other venues, but I did not find his essay as convincing as Blomberg's, and there were times when came across as simply dismissing something without explanation or serious thought.
This book was a learning experience, and I took away some very helpful things:
- There is more agreement between the two sides than you may think.
- Egalitarians do take Scripture seriously. And they do take the Gospel seriously. It simply isn't true that every egalitarian lacks respect for Scripture.
- Complementarian men are not all harsh and overbearing. Craig Blomberg wrote very sensitively, and while I didn't always agree with Schreiner, he did express a concern to support the equality of gifting between men and women.
- Sometimes complementarians downplay the cultural setting of Pauline letters.
- Sometimes, egalitarians make too much of the cultural setting.
- Sometimes, both sides extrapolate too much on what the text doesn't say.
- We must resist the temptation to hinge our views on one specific verse. In our contemporary culture, we look for easy, explicit answers, and that simply may not be possible.
- This is a complex issue. Because it is complex, those with influence who would speak publicly on the matter should do their homework.
A number of months ago, a friend on Facebook had a graphic posted on her timeline. It showed a piece of paper with a phrase across the top: "Verses in the Bible That Say a Woman Can be Pastor." The joke was of course that the paper was blank. At the time, when I saw it, I thought, "I think it's more complicated than that." And it is. But it's a serious issue, and one worth pondering.
I highly recommend anyone who is interested in this issue pick up a copy of this book. If all you get out of it is the ability to see scholars debate with grace and civility, it's worth the price.