Courtney, as someone who happened upon this in Notes and was previously involved in the SBC, thank you. You are correct in your critique and this is needed.
For a small bit of clarity, the male pronoun “he” in 1 Tim. 3 is only present in English. In Greek, it is simply “one” or “anyone.”
I love this perspective. We like to cherry pick the rules of the Bible and only focus on the ones that uphold certain power dynamics, which feels like the opposite of what Christ would do.
A short thought I'd like to add to this discussion: If there was more women leadership, I bet it would become a lot easier to weed out sexual abuse.
I am a 75 year old. A man. What you have shared, is powerful and insightful. Thank you. I will share with as many who will love and not understand as I can.
I clearly understand, appreciate and love you as a Christian, who loves me.
Make no mistake, I do not worship as a SB, but worship in a community of Church of Christ men and women who are as loving and prejudiced as any good Southern Baptist or Catholic.
Be encouraged,the Spirit is at work.
I will pray for you, and your children, and I will see you “in the sweet bye and bye.”
As a young church planter who grew up in the Korean branch of the SBC, I’ve been processing and discerning which denomination to plant through. Unfortunately due to the lack of ownership about the sexual abuse and racism found within the SBC, I have officially crossed out joining the denomination that raised me in my younger years.
Of course there will be young men who will still join the SBC. However, I am curious how many have already decided to cross them out of their potential denominations to join. The next generation is watching carefully to which church and denomination is authentic in both preaching the Word and the Gospel faithfully, while also loving it out in fullness.
Courtney, it takes boldness and confidence in who you are in Christ to publish this valuable perspective. Churches can be biblically faithful AND build up, equip, and protect the whole body of Christ (which includes women and children) for God’s glory and according to His stated purposes. I praise God for the local, autonomous churches and the denominations that do both, and pray for those who won’t. Appreciate you!
Yes! We can do both and it actually makes our defense of inerrancy more credible! And thank you for your encouragement. I wrote a version of this a few months ago and sat on it. Thought I would never post it, but then felt like it was time.
I’ve actually been reading Gavin Ortlund’s book Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage https://a.co/d/bxxmiQG
Phenomenal book on the exact issue you’re raising - how to sort thru the relative importance of various doctrines (theological triage), including comp/egal.
In the book he considers complementarianism vs egalitarianism as a second tier issue (as opposed to first, third, or fourth), meaning not essential to the gospel but important enough to divide over.
That’s not to disagree with your overall point about pastoral hypocrisy, or the need for men to listen to, protect the security of, and celebrate the many gifts of women, including the teaching gift. Nor is it to diminish the severity of sexual abuse.
Jesus would have no idea what she’s talking about? Probably not the best view of Jesus who is omniscient. Or is He not omniscient because he never used that word either?
Courtney, as someone who happened upon this in Notes and was previously involved in the SBC, thank you. You are correct in your critique and this is needed.
For a small bit of clarity, the male pronoun “he” in 1 Tim. 3 is only present in English. In Greek, it is simply “one” or “anyone.”
I appreciate your work here!
“The media isn’t our problem. We are our own problem.” No truer words have been said. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I love this perspective. We like to cherry pick the rules of the Bible and only focus on the ones that uphold certain power dynamics, which feels like the opposite of what Christ would do.
A short thought I'd like to add to this discussion: If there was more women leadership, I bet it would become a lot easier to weed out sexual abuse.
I am a 75 year old. A man. What you have shared, is powerful and insightful. Thank you. I will share with as many who will love and not understand as I can.
I clearly understand, appreciate and love you as a Christian, who loves me.
Make no mistake, I do not worship as a SB, but worship in a community of Church of Christ men and women who are as loving and prejudiced as any good Southern Baptist or Catholic.
Be encouraged,the Spirit is at work.
I will pray for you, and your children, and I will see you “in the sweet bye and bye.”
Thank you for this post. Much needed.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Sharon.
As a young church planter who grew up in the Korean branch of the SBC, I’ve been processing and discerning which denomination to plant through. Unfortunately due to the lack of ownership about the sexual abuse and racism found within the SBC, I have officially crossed out joining the denomination that raised me in my younger years.
Of course there will be young men who will still join the SBC. However, I am curious how many have already decided to cross them out of their potential denominations to join. The next generation is watching carefully to which church and denomination is authentic in both preaching the Word and the Gospel faithfully, while also loving it out in fullness.
I fear you’re right.
Yes! Thank for you writing this.
Another Amen!
Courtney, it takes boldness and confidence in who you are in Christ to publish this valuable perspective. Churches can be biblically faithful AND build up, equip, and protect the whole body of Christ (which includes women and children) for God’s glory and according to His stated purposes. I praise God for the local, autonomous churches and the denominations that do both, and pray for those who won’t. Appreciate you!
Yes! We can do both and it actually makes our defense of inerrancy more credible! And thank you for your encouragement. I wrote a version of this a few months ago and sat on it. Thought I would never post it, but then felt like it was time.
Agreed. I don’t get how this issue became the hill to die on.
I don’t either. Especially when there are bigger hills to die on.
I’ve actually been reading Gavin Ortlund’s book Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage https://a.co/d/bxxmiQG
Phenomenal book on the exact issue you’re raising - how to sort thru the relative importance of various doctrines (theological triage), including comp/egal.
In the book he considers complementarianism vs egalitarianism as a second tier issue (as opposed to first, third, or fourth), meaning not essential to the gospel but important enough to divide over.
That’s not to disagree with your overall point about pastoral hypocrisy, or the need for men to listen to, protect the security of, and celebrate the many gifts of women, including the teaching gift. Nor is it to diminish the severity of sexual abuse.
inerrancy- a nonBiblical term only arising since the 1900s . Jesus would have no idea what you are talking about.
Jesus would have no idea what she’s talking about? Probably not the best view of Jesus who is omniscient. Or is He not omniscient because he never used that word either?
Fantastic as always, Courtney. This is spot on.
Thanks, David!