Keeping Complementarians True to Scripture
David Gushee, professor of ethics at Mercer University, has offered a gentle challenge to complementarians with regard to how they live out their convictions in practical terms. To read the challenge, click here. In his own words:
Much like how the pacifist John Howard Yoder long ago wrote a book intended to keep just-war advocates true to the stated commitments of their own theory, as an egalitarian I want to render a similar service to complementarians. I want to ask you some questions aimed to help you keep the application of your approach as biblical as possible.
Here are his questions. Be sure to read the linked article for the rationale behind them.
1. Are you successfully communicating to young men the conviction that a complementarian perspective must elevate rather than diminish the dignity of women, and therefore inculcating a moral commitment on their part to act accordingly?
2. Are you absolutely clear on which positions of Christian service (you believe) are barred to women?
3. Once you have determined what positions of Christian service are barred to women, you have therefore also determined which positions are permitted. Are you active in encouraging women to pursue the positions that are permitted?
4. When women occupy positions of church leadership that parallel those of men, are their positions named equally and are the individuals involved treated equally?
What do you think?
