Carolyn Mahaney's book Feminine Appeal is a classic. Here's the her teaching series on Titus 2, links included.
HT: Justin Taylor
Showing posts with label gender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gender. Show all posts
9.19.2008
Wisdom For Women
Carolyn Mahaney's book Feminine Appeal is a classic. Here's the her teaching series on Titus 2, links included.
9.16.2008
Palin, Feminism, & Hypocrisy
Justin Taylor has chronicled how Sarah Palin has been called a hypocrite for having her son, Trig, and, almost unbelievably, (and this by a professor of history and religious and the University of Chicago) for her
...pretense that she is a woman.
The conclusion: It seems that some of the liberal bent find homosexuality to be biologically determined but womanhood to be a matter of choice. Now I'm really confused.
7.15.2008
"Helping" "Transgender" Children
This is disgusting:
Dr. Norman Spack is the pediatric specialist behind the clinic for “transgender children,” and he is treating patients as young as 7-years-old. For younger patients who desire to be the opposite gender from that of biology, birth and Providence, Spack offers counseling and drugs that delay the onset of puberty. The drugs, he says, halt the natural flood of hormones that will make it difficult to have a sex alteration later in life, allowing children “more time to decide whether they want to make the change.”Paul McHugh, University Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins, is one such critic and he hints at transcendent truth in analyzing the potential harm of such dangerous therapy and injections: “Treating these children with hormones does considerable harm and it compounds their confusion,” McHugh told FOXNews.com. “Trying to delay puberty or change someone else’s gender is a rejection of the lawfulness of nature.” Further, McHugh said “gender reassignment” for children recalls the dark ages, “when choir boys were castrated to retain their high-pitched voices…It’s barbaric.”
I use quotes because I don't believe the above helps and I'm quite sure the two actual genders are fairly obvious.
6.17.2008
Hearing From Fatherless and Feminist
Joe Carter shares about his fatherlessness and the family resemblance for which he is aiming.
I don't know how to answer 50% of my medical history forms; I don't know if I have more brothers and sisters; I don't know what my last name should be (Carter is the surname of my brother's father.); I don't know if I'm half-Jewish, half-German, or half-Ukrainian...My hope is that someday I'll grow up to be like My Father. People will know what kind of person I am from seeing the family resemblance. Perhaps then instead of seeing me and thinking "Urkranian" they'll say, "You look like you're Christian."
Rebecca Walter, the daughter of a feminist leader (Alice Walter), remembers and rejects her mother's message.
How sad to be taught by your own mother that you enslave her and keep her from the good life...
You see, my mum taught me that children enslave women. I grew up believing that children are millstones around your neck, and the idea that motherhood can make you blissfully happy is a complete fairytale. ... As a little girl, I wasn't even allowed to play with dolls or stuffed toys in case they brought out a maternal instinct. It was drummed into me that being a mother, raising children and running a home were a form of slavery.Feminism has betrayed an entire generation of women into childlessness. It is devastating. But far from taking responsibility for any of this, the leaders of the women's movement close ranks against anyone who dares to question them -- as I have learned to my cost.
"Honor your father and mother" must also mean that we honor the role of father and mother.
4.29.2008
Gender on Capitol Hill
Here are links to Mark Dever's sermon series, "Male and Female He Created Them":
11.08.2007
"Weaker Partner"
Heather Koerner tells her story:
Many modern day feminists have tried to argue that they offer me honor while Christianity offers me chattel. But they've got it backwards. I only have to look around to see it. The hook-up culture, the abortion culture, the depiction of women in media — they're all proof. It wouldn't take me 10 seconds flipping the television to see that — though Ali is gracious enough to see the positives in our culture — there is plenty of chattel-like behavior towards women.As a seventh-grade girl, I was incensed that someone would treat me differently because I was a female. Now, though, I take comfort in the fact that God commands my Christian brothers to treat me differently. God's balance, of course, is perfect. He commands that I be respected, but also that I respect. He commands that I be honored, but also that I honor. He commands that I submit to authority, but also commands that authority to submit to Him.
He understands my heart. After all, He created it. He knows that it may be difficult for me to accept my husband's authority, so he reminds me in 1 Peter to do what is right and not to give way to fear.
In seventh grade, and probably for years later, I would have told you that all patriarchal societies were the same — their only goal to puff men up in their own power. But not anymore.
Yes, some societies live that way, and it's a shame. But that is not God's way. God has given my husband the right, and the responsibility, to lead our family. But simply because I submit to an authority — as, in fact, all of us have to do — God doesn't see me as inferior, as inadequate or unworthy. The true message of Christ is quite the opposite and it's a beautiful thing.
11.03.2007
6.29.2007
Holy Headship!
We need a definition for this elusive and yet essential biblical doctrine. Try this one on for size:
"Headship is a man's glorifying of Christ by embracing the primary responsibility of loving, sacrificial leadership that cultivates, protects, and teaches the family and church."
Thoughts?
"Headship is a man's glorifying of Christ by embracing the primary responsibility of loving, sacrificial leadership that cultivates, protects, and teaches the family and church."
Thoughts?
6.22.2007
The Lord's Prayer and Women in Office
This is a response to Bert den Boggende’s article, “The Lord’s Prayer and Women in Office” as printed in the last issue of The Banner.
Den Boggende’s first point is that textual exegesis, though “interesting”, misses the Reformed practice of “starting with a major biblical theme.” I will assume he means to speak against “isegesis” – the practice overemphasizing one or two texts over and against the message of Scripture as a whole. But I do hope we Reformers have not forgotten that it is textual exegesis that alerts us to biblical themes! Establishing biblical themes without textual exegesis leads to the power of personal opinion and, if left unchecked, heresy (though I certainly do NOT mean to assert that Den Boggende is a heretic!).
Den Boggende also asserts that the love found in the Kingdom of God means that women should be elders. I stand in full support of love in the Kingdom...but there could be another conclusion. For instance, if God’s Word says that only men should be elders because of certain gender and role distinctions (and in my mind 1 Timothy 2.12-15 is clear on that point), then would it not be loving for us to adhere to what God has commanded for His church? And also loving therefore to argue for such obedience?
I do think we could use some more textual exegesis when we are found trying to use Galatians 3.28 as evidence for the discussion of whether women should be elders or not (see post below). I'm not sure this text has much to do with authority in the local church, but rather has everything to do with our standing before God in Christ. Paul insists here that we are equally welcome in God’s sight through Christ, despite any human distinction.
And this equality is the central point of the conversation. Den Boggende insists that, because there is equality in the Kingdom of God, all offices should be open to women. I hear this in his thinking: “to be equal in value is to be identical in role.” Hmm. With such argumentation, could we not also say, “We should not have any ruling pastors at all. After all, we are equal in Christ!” Well, I don’t think so. Of course, we are equal in Christ and each believer has great worth and value in God’s sight. But equality can include role distinctions. For instance, as a pastor I share equal standing before God with any of my parishioners who trust in Jesus. And yet God has given me some authority in the church. Equal value with role distinction is a major biblical theme!
Consider this: Who is more “God,” the Father or the Son? The answer? They are equal in essence and value – both fully God. And yet 1 Corinthians 11.3 reads, “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” (ESV) What we see here is that equality with the distinctions of headship and submission are found in the infinite perfection of the Trinity. For another example, who is more “human”, a husband or a wife? Neither! They are equal in value and worth! And yet Ephesians 5.23-24 insists, “For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (ESV) This headship and submission (O, how this important word needs to be carefully defined! But I do not have time here.)
This is the powerful truth: God, in both the Trinity and the gospel (Christ and the church) is glorified as we live out our role distinctions within our equality!
I, with Bert den Boggende, am also praying for our families, churches, Synod, and denomination. And I am praying that God’s name will be hallowed as we honor the truth of His Word despite the demands of our culture and that His Kingdom will come as we obey those commands. But the Lord’s Prayer does not assert women as elders. It may, in fact demand the opposite. And so we plead to God for wisdom in handling His Word, and courage to obey it. For to Him be the glory, both now and forever.
Den Boggende’s first point is that textual exegesis, though “interesting”, misses the Reformed practice of “starting with a major biblical theme.” I will assume he means to speak against “isegesis” – the practice overemphasizing one or two texts over and against the message of Scripture as a whole. But I do hope we Reformers have not forgotten that it is textual exegesis that alerts us to biblical themes! Establishing biblical themes without textual exegesis leads to the power of personal opinion and, if left unchecked, heresy (though I certainly do NOT mean to assert that Den Boggende is a heretic!).
Den Boggende also asserts that the love found in the Kingdom of God means that women should be elders. I stand in full support of love in the Kingdom...but there could be another conclusion. For instance, if God’s Word says that only men should be elders because of certain gender and role distinctions (and in my mind 1 Timothy 2.12-15 is clear on that point), then would it not be loving for us to adhere to what God has commanded for His church? And also loving therefore to argue for such obedience?
I do think we could use some more textual exegesis when we are found trying to use Galatians 3.28 as evidence for the discussion of whether women should be elders or not (see post below). I'm not sure this text has much to do with authority in the local church, but rather has everything to do with our standing before God in Christ. Paul insists here that we are equally welcome in God’s sight through Christ, despite any human distinction.
And this equality is the central point of the conversation. Den Boggende insists that, because there is equality in the Kingdom of God, all offices should be open to women. I hear this in his thinking: “to be equal in value is to be identical in role.” Hmm. With such argumentation, could we not also say, “We should not have any ruling pastors at all. After all, we are equal in Christ!” Well, I don’t think so. Of course, we are equal in Christ and each believer has great worth and value in God’s sight. But equality can include role distinctions. For instance, as a pastor I share equal standing before God with any of my parishioners who trust in Jesus. And yet God has given me some authority in the church. Equal value with role distinction is a major biblical theme!
Consider this: Who is more “God,” the Father or the Son? The answer? They are equal in essence and value – both fully God. And yet 1 Corinthians 11.3 reads, “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” (ESV) What we see here is that equality with the distinctions of headship and submission are found in the infinite perfection of the Trinity. For another example, who is more “human”, a husband or a wife? Neither! They are equal in value and worth! And yet Ephesians 5.23-24 insists, “For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (ESV) This headship and submission (O, how this important word needs to be carefully defined! But I do not have time here.)
This is the powerful truth: God, in both the Trinity and the gospel (Christ and the church) is glorified as we live out our role distinctions within our equality!
I, with Bert den Boggende, am also praying for our families, churches, Synod, and denomination. And I am praying that God’s name will be hallowed as we honor the truth of His Word despite the demands of our culture and that His Kingdom will come as we obey those commands. But the Lord’s Prayer does not assert women as elders. It may, in fact demand the opposite. And so we plead to God for wisdom in handling His Word, and courage to obey it. For to Him be the glory, both now and forever.
6.10.2007
Does Equality Negate Authority?
A favorite verse for many is Galatians 3.28 which reads, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
I love this verse as well. It proclaims the absolute equality in value and worth before the Father that each believer owns in Jesus Christ. Christ’s righteousness is perfect, and if you are in Him, your standing before God cannot be improved upon! The law is fulfilled in Him! And this is deep reality is for anyone who believes, apart from any human distinction of race, economics, culture, or gender. Therefore we are to have a deep unity and oneness in Jesus.
What a glorious truth! But many want to use it as the guiding text for church leadership. So...what does this text say about church leadership? Well, it certainly has implications like, 1) the gospel is for everyone. And that 2) leaders should never be self-righteous or haughty about their position, but should glorify the perfection of Christ for all who believe.
And now for our big question. Many believe that this text opens the office of elder (and therefore pastor) to women. According to such thinking, the equality in Christ described by Galatians 3 negates role and authority distinctions in church leadership. So then, does Galatians 3.28 negate authority? Does equality negate authority?
Well, let's ask this: who is more valuable, a pastor or lay person? According to Gal. 3.28, neither is more valuable. In Christ we each have perfect righteousness. We are equal. And yet Hebrews 13:17 reads, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Pastor and layperson, though equal in Christ, have different roles and differing authority. Evidently there can and should be equality with distinction - equality and authority.
But here’s the kicker on the issue:
Who is more “God,” the Father or the Son? The answer? They are equal in essence and value – both fully God. And yet 1 Corinthians 11.3 reads, “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”
This is amazing - what we see here is that equality with the distinctions of headship and submission are found in the infinite perfection of the Trinity. The Father is the “head” of the Son and the Son joyfully submits to the Father. The Father has authority, and the Son submits to Him.
The Son, equally God, joyfully submits to the Father. He has done so from eternity past (Revelation 13.8), His incarnation (John 14.28), and will for eternity future (1 Corinthians 15.28).
This of course means that equality does not negate authority. As Jesus Christ exemplifies, it is not a dishonor to submit to headship. It is a glory. Equality does not negate authority. It enhances it.
Galatians 3.28, though affirming our equality in Christ, is not prescriptive of church leadership. We have the Apostle's thoughts on the matter in 1 Timothy 2-3 and other places. We ought to follow Scripture's teaching and both affirm and celebrate our differences within our equality. To the glory of God...
I love this verse as well. It proclaims the absolute equality in value and worth before the Father that each believer owns in Jesus Christ. Christ’s righteousness is perfect, and if you are in Him, your standing before God cannot be improved upon! The law is fulfilled in Him! And this is deep reality is for anyone who believes, apart from any human distinction of race, economics, culture, or gender. Therefore we are to have a deep unity and oneness in Jesus.
What a glorious truth! But many want to use it as the guiding text for church leadership. So...what does this text say about church leadership? Well, it certainly has implications like, 1) the gospel is for everyone. And that 2) leaders should never be self-righteous or haughty about their position, but should glorify the perfection of Christ for all who believe.
And now for our big question. Many believe that this text opens the office of elder (and therefore pastor) to women. According to such thinking, the equality in Christ described by Galatians 3 negates role and authority distinctions in church leadership. So then, does Galatians 3.28 negate authority? Does equality negate authority?
Well, let's ask this: who is more valuable, a pastor or lay person? According to Gal. 3.28, neither is more valuable. In Christ we each have perfect righteousness. We are equal. And yet Hebrews 13:17 reads, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Pastor and layperson, though equal in Christ, have different roles and differing authority. Evidently there can and should be equality with distinction - equality and authority.
But here’s the kicker on the issue:
Who is more “God,” the Father or the Son? The answer? They are equal in essence and value – both fully God. And yet 1 Corinthians 11.3 reads, “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”
This is amazing - what we see here is that equality with the distinctions of headship and submission are found in the infinite perfection of the Trinity. The Father is the “head” of the Son and the Son joyfully submits to the Father. The Father has authority, and the Son submits to Him.
The Son, equally God, joyfully submits to the Father. He has done so from eternity past (Revelation 13.8), His incarnation (John 14.28), and will for eternity future (1 Corinthians 15.28).
This of course means that equality does not negate authority. As Jesus Christ exemplifies, it is not a dishonor to submit to headship. It is a glory. Equality does not negate authority. It enhances it.
Galatians 3.28, though affirming our equality in Christ, is not prescriptive of church leadership. We have the Apostle's thoughts on the matter in 1 Timothy 2-3 and other places. We ought to follow Scripture's teaching and both affirm and celebrate our differences within our equality. To the glory of God...
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