Comments on: PCA and Its Complementarian Practices http://www.christianegalitarians.org/archives/93 Christians for Gender Equality Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:04:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1.3 by: Steve http://www.christianegalitarians.org/archives/93#comment-40576 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:56:11 +0000 http://www.christianegalitarians.org/archives/93#comment-40576 Well, my sense is that complimentarianism is actually growing or becoming more entrenched in the PCA, a development I personally applaud. This is partly due, if I may be so bold to suggest, to the inability of egalitarians to make their case biblically. Believe me. I know a good many egalitarians are well meaning folks, and I appreciate their commitment to the Lord. Even so, for their position to succeed they are going to have to deal with the many biblical texts that support a complimentarian perspective. I don’t see that happening. Indeed, I am not certain that it can ever happen given the clear meaning of Scriptures on the matter. Well, my sense is that complimentarianism is actually growing or becoming more entrenched in the PCA, a development I personally applaud. This is partly due, if I may be so bold to suggest, to the inability of egalitarians to make their case biblically. Believe me. I know a good many egalitarians are well meaning folks, and I appreciate their commitment to the Lord. Even so, for their position to succeed they are going to have to deal with the many biblical texts that support a complimentarian perspective. I don’t see that happening. Indeed, I am not certain that it can ever happen given the clear meaning of Scriptures on the matter.

]]> by: Brandon Withrow http://www.christianegalitarians.org/archives/93#comment-258 Mon, 20 Feb 2006 20:43:39 +0000 http://www.christianegalitarians.org/archives/93#comment-258 The Baylyblog has continued to publish posts on James. Actually, most of the time they seem to publish posts attacking egalitarians, often blaming us for every ill in the world. You should read through their their sections on feminism. Egalitarians really are their worst enemies. I'm an associate member of the PCA (and a member of CBE) and I'm wondering just how much this discussion will affect the unity of the denomination itself. Of course, my hope is that they will become egalitarian someday, or at least, tolerate churches that are. I do believe or hope they will eventually come close though. With the likes of the Baylys, I cannot see this happening without plenty of trouble in the future. One thing worth noting though, several PCA ministers are willing to go as far as saying that women may do anything in the church that unordained men are allowed to do. This would include reading Scripture, passing the offering, being deaconesses (appointed not ordained, although some want to just use the term deacon instead), etc. Many congregations have been resistant and I'm fairly certain this would not include teaching men in Sunday morning classes. However, women do sometimes team teach with their husbands. I guess that is more palatable. When you consider the vitriolic attitudes of men like the Baylys against James, those that are willing to go this far in the denomination are really taking a stand (even though we would love to see them go further). I appreciate women like James, who are willing to push for reforms, knowing full well that she will be up against antagonists like this. And I know several pastors that support her mission and are optimistic. Change doesn't occur over night, but with dedicated people, it can occur. The Baylyblog has continued to publish posts on James. Actually, most of the time they seem to publish posts attacking egalitarians, often blaming us for every ill in the world. You should read through their their sections on feminism. Egalitarians really are their worst enemies.

I’m an associate member of the PCA (and a member of CBE) and I’m wondering just how much this discussion will affect the unity of the denomination itself. Of course, my hope is that they will become egalitarian someday, or at least, tolerate churches that are. I do believe or hope they will eventually come close though. With the likes of the Baylys, I cannot see this happening without plenty of trouble in the future.

One thing worth noting though, several PCA ministers are willing to go as far as saying that women may do anything in the church that unordained men are allowed to do. This would include reading Scripture, passing the offering, being deaconesses (appointed not ordained, although some want to just use the term deacon instead), etc. Many congregations have been resistant and I’m fairly certain this would not include teaching men in Sunday morning classes. However, women do sometimes team teach with their husbands. I guess that is more palatable. When you consider the vitriolic attitudes of men like the Baylys against James, those that are willing to go this far in the denomination are really taking a stand (even though we would love to see them go further).

I appreciate women like James, who are willing to push for reforms, knowing full well that she will be up against antagonists like this. And I know several pastors that support her mission and are optimistic. Change doesn’t occur over night, but with dedicated people, it can occur.

]]>