Introduction
Dr. James R. Beck has compiled four scholarly articles that present the egalitarian and complementarian/hierarchical views concerning women in ministry with balanced counterpoints added to fully inform readers. The presentation of views seems to compare and contrast in a fair, balanced way that provides the reader with a good idea of the debate, with counter arguments presented at the end of each essay. However, the balanced approach to the presentation of both sides concerning women in ministry does not fully reveal God’s Truth; thus, the Two Views on Women in Ministry presents sincere but some flawed arguments with some conflict to the inerrant Word of God, possibly on both sides of the debate.[1] These differing opinions require Christians to sort through the issues with care, and compare and contrast the issues of both sides with a solid analysis that is dependent upon foundational, inerrant Scripture if the Truth of God is to be known fully.
Summarization of Belleville’s Essay Supporting an Egalitarian Perspective
Dr. Linda Belleville[2] addresses the role of women as equal to men in Christian leadership potential that should be given authority to assume pastoral duties and church leadership positions on an equal footing with male Christian leaders. Belleville seems to take a feminist, no hierarchy in principle/no hierarchy in practice spectrum[3] in her egalitarian position by setting the stage in identifying the problem as the backwards, traditional, hierarchical view that God created men to lead and women to follow. This argument, often prevalent amongst liberal, egalitarian feminists, formulates the beginning debate upon modern social advancement rather than solid Scripture exegesis with a repudiation that traditionalists’ views based solidly upon inerrant Scripture is actually the main issue.[4] Rather, she begins her argument with the supporting statement that it is now general agreement that women have the same spiritual gifts as men, but often denied leadership positions, based upon social issues that are prevalent in our society today.[5]
Belleville is a careful scholar; once the foundation of socially progressive egalitarianism vs. backwards, socially repressive, hierarchical traditionalism is laid, she then begins to carefully build her position with Scripture support. Thus, in her worldview, Genesis 1 and 2 affirms equality of man and woman, with the obligation to split subjugation duties of God’s creation on practical considerations as spiritual, personal, and social equals.[6] She conveniently disavows the definition of woman as helper to mean the inflammatory words of “submissive assistant” that probably is not often a traditional scholar’s choice of words. The traditional argument for man’s purpose to rule supported by Genesis 3:16 is elevated to shared partnership with co-dominion, with personal commentary that mocks traditional belief as a “sad state of affairs” when gender hierarchy is claimed.
Belleville presents the usual arguments and defense of women in Scripture that has risen to prophetic and teaching roles; however, these points are not at the crux of disagreement. While several Scripture, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (women commanded to be silent in church), 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (women are not permitted to have authority over man), and 1 Corinthian 11:2-16 (different roles) are presented as important points in Belleville’s defense, 1 Timothy 2:11-15 is the defining biblical text that directs attention back to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1-3. It is these two Scripture issues (the hierarchy of male and female roles and the authority of women in church) that must be argued effectively if change to the complementarian view can begin.
Critique of Belleville’s Defense of Egalitarianism Perspective
Belleville’s defense of the lack of hierarchy in God’s creation of man and woman does not argue well from her modern views of desirable social norms. If her arguments were based upon Genesis 1-3 fully, without reference to modern relationships between the sexes today, her ideas would be more intriguing; however, her modern foundation clouds her points and develops suspicion of feminist agenda that bends Scripture to form liberal interpretation of Scripture.
Additionally, her arguments of the non-existence of established hierarchy are untruthful; Genesis 1-3 clearly shows an ordered creation, with traditional belief that this also emulates the subordinate role of Son of God to Father,[7] with husband as head and wife as helpmate that establishes a hierarchical role between men and women. Either God has developed a more equalized role for men and women throughout His relationship with mankind, or He has not. Belleville’s essay does not offer proof that hierarchal order of male and female has been increased to equal and shared order. There can be no middle-ground interpretation choice given by God in this matter; either a hierarchical order exists, or it does not. Any belief concerning women’s role in church leadership must address the hierarchy issue, with strong Scripture reference, that shows change from creation status, before traditional belief can be advanced. An increased development of the male and female order must be shown from the starting point of the Creation account that progresses as God’s will is revealed to man, or Genesis 1-3 must remain the standard of hierarchal order. Denial of established hierarchal order recorded in the creation account denies the inerrant Word of God.
However, she does approach 1 Timothy 2:11-15 more critically, and admits to the difficult understanding the Greek expression oude authentein andros that is commonly translated “nor to dominate (nor to exercise authority) over a man” found in verse 12. She convincingly argues that these Greek words, with considerable reference to extrabiblical text, have specific translated meaning “to domineer” that shows Paul is prohibiting teaching by the Ephesus women that are seeking the upper hand through extemporaneously teaching false things against God. But then, her conclusion returns to the sociological and psychological impact of a traditional view of women in leadership roles that undermine the Word of God, and cancel out any trust in her position that might have been gained in her numerous scholarly arguments.
Summarization of Blomberg’s Essay Supporting a Complementarian Perspective
Dr. Craig L Blomberg[8] defends the traditional Christian position that supports the complementarian/hierarchical view that differentiates ministry roles by gender and often forbids appointment of women to leadership roles in Christianity.[9] He makes an important point that often women trump biblical evidence by declaring the personal call of God to the ministry that places profound dilemma upon conservative leadership determination in churches today.[10]
Like Belleville, Blomberg discusses the examples of women in Old and New Testament times, including Intertestamental Period. Once again, this information is accepted on both sides of the argument, and irrelevant to the conflict. He identifies four key Scriptures that are often controversial between the different views; Galatians 3:28 (there is no male or female), 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (headgear with praying), 1 Corinthians 14:33-38 (silence of women in church), and 1 Timothy 2:8-15 (the Ephesus women). Blomberg agrees with Belleville concerning the connection to false teaching with the Ephesians women. He challenges the word definition hesychia that commonly does not mean silence in Acts 22:2 or 2 Thessalonians 3:12.
Critique of Blomberg’s Defense of Complementarian Perspective
Blomberg’s defense is weak on Genesis 1-3 and agreeable with the egalitarian perspective concerning 1 Timothy 2:8-15. It should not be surprising that Blomberg supports the hierarchal order and the woman in the role as helper to man initially; however, it soon goes awry. Blomberg fairly addresses this issue as occurring during the perfect love period of Adam and Eve before they chose disobedience to God that shatters their harmony forever; thus, the idea of love is transformed into domination after distortion due to sin.[11] But, Blomberg falls short of Scripture support by declaring that there are just “hints” of divinely intended male headship found in Genesis 1-3 and he discounts the reference quickly.[12] Once again, it seems as if a conservative scholar has found it necessary to present politically correct evaluation, and ignore the strong position of God that expresses and ordered hierarchy between male and female found in Genesis 1-3. Blomberg makes a common mistake by interpreting the Old Testament with New Testament ideas of women’s roles[13] and civil rights of modern day.[14] Egalitarians are in the winning position when modern-day views are considered, and Traditionalists often bend to accommodate this popular position rather than provide a biblically and theologically compelling alternative.[15]
Blomberg analyzes verse 1 Timothy 2:12 by debating the odd Greek verb authenteo chosen to translate into “exercise authority,”[16] and declares the only thing Paul is prohibiting women from doing is occupying the office of overseer or elder, with all other leadership offices are open to women Christian leadership.[17] He resolves the debate by declaring male headship timeless, but, only the highest office of eldership is prohibited to women.[18] This view assumes a great deal of Scripture support for an obscure, complex idea that is less visible than is the strong hierarchical order in Genesis 1-3 that he declares merely a hint; this tendency of modern-day civil awareness complicates even the conservative complementarian positions.
Once again, the inerrant Word of God must be examined in balance, without bias, and fully open to discovery of the Truth of God. Both Blomberg and Belleville fail to fully comprehend the full teachings of God because they fail to measure their position completely upon the inerrant Word of God.
Conclusion
Dr. Beck has developed a scholarly work that balances both principle views concerning women in Christian leadership positions. In his revision, he includes Dr. Craig S. Keener’s perspective on the egalitarian view and Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner’s views on the complementarian perspective. The four essays, with the defense or objections of these authors upon each other’s works, give a good deal of knowledge of the actual debate that helps reflect opposing sides. Most importantly, it gives direction to those seeking Scripture support, and defines the arguments to narrow the reader to specific places of exegetical inquiry.
Through the limited examination of just two of the essays, the need for strong Scriptural support is glaringly evident. This complex issue cannot be fully resolved without the Word of God providing foundation to the discussion. Both liberal and conservative Christians should read the essays in Two Views on Women in Ministry in their entirety with attention to each detailed presentation, without bias, and consider the balanced points, with a Bible close at hand. Both sides have a great deal to learn, and Beck’s collection of articles informs the reader about this complex issue.
It is imperative that all Christians, especially those in male and female leadership roles, recognize that the position taken concerning this divisive issue might well subvert the Holy Spirit, or deny the will of God from advancing, or corrupt the theological system that His providence has established, should the wrong position be taken that conflicts with Scripture. While both positions do not reach the level of soul-robbing false teachings, leadership works by both males and females must be clearly represented by Scriptural support, or the entire system accomplishing the works of the Lord can be compromised and remove opportunity from those intended to receive the things of God through the hands of His selected leaders.
Bibliography
Beck, James R. Two Views on Women in Ministry. Revised Kindle ed., Edited by James R. Beck. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.
Burk, Denny. “Younger Evangelicals and Women in Ministry: A Sketch of the Spectrum of Opinion.” Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 12, no. 2 (2007).
Carlson-Thies, Christiane. “Man and Woman at Creation: A Critique of Complementarian Interpretations.” Priscilla Papers 18, no. 4 (2004).
Cowan, Steven. “The Metaphysics of Supordination: A Response to Rebecca Merrill Groothuis.” Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 14, no. 1 (2009).
Dever, Mark. “Young Vs. Old Complementarians.” Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 13, no. 1 (2008).
Grenz, Stanley J. “Anticipating God’s New Community: Theological Foundations for Women in Ministry.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 38, no. 4 (1995).
Moore, Russell D. “After Patriarchy, What? Why Egalitarians Are Winning the Gender Debate.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 49, no. 3 (2006).
Footnotes
[1] James R. Beck, Two Views on Women in Ministry, ed. James R. Beck, Revised Kindle ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), Kindle Location 179 of 6852. Though Beck acknowledges the concord of presenters that either position can obtain orthodox support with inerrancy, this seems unlikely. Careful exegesis of Scripture can only reveal one absolute Truth of God in this matter; it cannot be both ways nor based upon doctrinal worldview, regardless of sincerity of belief.
[2] Dr. Linda Belleville, (Ph. D., St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto) is a Professor of New Testament at Bethel College, Indiana. She has taught religion, theology, and biblical studies for North Park College and Theological Seminary and is also a translator for Tyndale House’s The New Living Translation, and the author of several commentaries and books.
[3] Denny Burk, “Younger Evangelicals and Women in Ministry: A Sketch of the Spectrum of Opinion,” Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 12, no. 2 (2007): 35.
[4] Beck, Kindle Location 220 of 6852.
[5] Ibid., Kindle Location 258 of 6852.
[6] Ibid., Kindle Location 279-302 of 6852.
[7] Stanley J. Grenz, “Anticipating God’s New Community: Theological Foundations for Women in Ministry,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 38, no. 4 (1995): 598.
[8] Dr. Craig L. Blomberg is a distinguished professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary and past research fellow in Cambridge, England with Tyndale House. He has authored and edited 15 books, including The Historical Reliability of the Gospels, Interpreting the Parables, and other theological works.
[9] Steven Cowan, “The Metaphysics of Supordination: A Response to Rebecca Merrill Groothuis,” Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 14, no. 1 (2009): 42.
[10] Beck, Kindle Location 2380-6852.
[11] Ibid., Kindle Location 2459 of 6852.
[12] Ibid., Kindle Location 2459-6852.
[13] Christiane Carlson-Thies, “Man and Woman at Creation: A Critique of Complementarian Interpretations,” Priscilla Papers 18, no. 4 (2004): 3.
[14] Mark Dever, “Young Vs. Old Complementarians,” Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 13, no. 1 (2008): 20.
[15] Russell D. Moore, “After Patriarchy, What? Why Egalitarians Are Winning the Gender Debate,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 49, no. 3 (2006): 568.
[16] Beck, Kindle Location 3000 of 6852.
[17] Ibid., Kindle Location 2044 of 6852.
[18] ibid., Kindle Location 3222 of 6852.
