Comments on: Gender as a Weapon

By: Doug Groothuis

Doug Groothuis — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 22:21:55 +0000

Gender is irrelevant to how well someone teaches the Word of God. The authority is in the Word as it comes through a yielded and wise soul, made so by the Holy Spirit.

By: Rev. Jean H. Throckmorton

Rev. Jean H. Throckmorton — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 22:20:54 +0000

I have to disagree with Rev. Philip A. Badolato:
September 15th, 2006 that “This is a problem that dates back to the Middle Ages and will continue as long as the organized denominations control Christendom.” It started before that, and not all organized denominations subscribe to inequality. Some non- and interdenominational churches do. The problem, as I see it, is bypassing God’s prescription for solving problems, fear of losing control, unwillingness or inability to read the scriptures contextually, and willingness to take the path of least resistance when a problem occurs. I cannot speak to the specific condition of either party in this as I do not know either of them. However, I believe equality and leadership issues will continue until we all submit completely to Jesus Christ, the head (source and leader) of the church.

By: Christian Anible

Christian Anible — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 14:38:14 +0000

That the leadership of this church used Lambert’s gender as its means of dismissing her, thereby avoiding legal entanglements, is unquestionably reprehensible. I, too, have encountered insecure pastors who resort to shameful power plays in order to consolidate power, and it can be devastating.

But I have also encountered parishioners whose resistance to change was exercised in irresponsible and manipulative ways, resulting in upheaval in the congregation and distress for the pastor. We know little about the details of this situation.

While we are justified in renouncing the gender-based abuse perpetrated by leadership in this congregation and what appears to be a heavy-handed use of power (both ecclesiastical and sexual), we would do well to be cautious about canonizing Lambert, about whom we know so little.

By: Judy Kugel

Judy Kugel — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:35:20 +0000

When I heard the story on our local tv station, I was sad that the pastor had not dug deep enough into the scriptures to see that Jesus came to set the captive free. Yes, that includes women. We are free because Jesus died and rose again. Why do some pastors cling to the oral law which is not inspired as the word of God. The oral law was made up of what the rabbis thought the Torah meant. Come on pastors teach and practice the whole truth.

By: Nancy Anderberg

Nancy Anderberg — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 14:56:17 +0000

That Pastor evidently skipped 20 centuries of change. Let me see now, from that same verse in scripture I wonder if Pastors wife, sister, daughter or mom wear gold rings, necklaces or earrings or do they wear pearls around their necks or in their ears or on their hands, or do they, heaven forbid, maybe wear French Braids or pull the sides of their hair up in a braided fashion? Back in the 1st century, women were not allowed in to learn from the Torah so how could they teach anyone? Thank you Jesus for moving us up!

By: Bruce Fleming

Bruce Fleming — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 20:45:39 +0000

I heard her story with great sadness. I wish someone could put a copy of chapter 3 from “Leadership” Heresies into her hands, and into the hands of those who acted out this heretical belief!

By: Jeanine Moss

Jeanine Moss — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:02:17 +0000

The bottom line is a man who is so insecure he feels threatened by partnering with a woman in teaching, being taught, leadership, etc.

I go to Deborah and Barak as my example. I suggested to one of my church leaders that rather than being a wimp as typically protrayed, he was actually secure enough in his own skin to partner with Deborah. And he said, “Well, I certainly never heard it explained that way before.” And I said, “I bet you haven’t either.”

And Barak got listed in the faith chapter, Heb. 11.

By: Rev. Philip A. Badolato

Rev. Philip A. Badolato — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 05:32:09 +0000

This is a problem that dates back to the Middle Ages and will continue as long as the organized denominations control Christendom. This is only one example of why there are so many Christians in the world that are displaced and desperately seeking other avenues of worship. One only has to look as far as to the burgeoning size of the non and interdenominational churches.

By: Jeannette Cochran

Jeannette Cochran — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 01:27:23 +0000

It’s a shame that Christians can’t be honest with each other and work out their disputes within the church, not in the media. But the greater shame is that Christians would choose to heresy and the curse of the enemy to remove this woman instead of Matthew 18, as instituted by Jesus. I continue to find it utterly astonishing that Christians today are believing the heresy of inequality between the genders. It’s a sad commentary on the state of the church when so many believers have missed the heart of the gospel because they do not see how heirarchy and inequality go directly against the gospel and everything that Jesus ever did or taught. Praise God that there are a growing number of humble-hearted Christians whose eyes are open to view the “whole” of God’s story and see that our Creator created us to be free and died to redeem us so we could once again be one in Christ.