Good stuff, Kenny! My reading ability (slight slisdexia) doesn't allow me to read quickly--I appreciate the recommendation of other to keep me from spending 300 pages in a book that's not worth it.
Thanks very much for your comment. It sounds like you've had some very negative experiences in the church. I'm very sorry to hear that. But is it really fair to lump every complementarian church under the all-encompassing heading of "conservative church" and assume that any church who maintains a distinction between male and female gender roles is engaged in neglect, oppression, abuse?
If we're simply comparing experiences, then >my< experience of complementarian churches has only involved the inclusion, respect, encouragement, and nurture of women and their gifts. To say that men and women play different roles in the church is not to play the superiority/inferiority game. If a man uses "biblical complementarianism" to harm or subjugate women, then he's sadly mistaken and ought to be held accountable.
At many times and in many ways, I have considered the possibility that my "indoctrination" has held me back in the ways you suggest. Only, I >began< as an egalitarian and arrived at the complementarian position through my study of Scripture and tradition. When I pastored an egalitarian-leaning church, I had ample opportunity (and encouragement!) to change my position. But, to echo Luther, I have not been convinced from Scripture or by reason that "the complimentarian [sic] belief is the opposite of hope and grace for ALL and is in no way biblical." If you asked any of the women in that church (or any other) about my ministry to them, I sincerely doubt words like neglect, oppression, subjugation, disrespect, etc. would enter the conversation.
Again, I appreciate your comments and experiences, and I am truly sorry that you've experienced mistreatment in the church. But I'd ask you to deal a bit more fairly with your opponents' own arguments and experiences. To assume I've mindlessly allowed myself to be indoctrinated into a system of oppression is quite the leap. And to suggest that I'm actively participating in oppression is neither true to my intent, experience, or action—nor that of any of the churches in which I've served.
Good stuff, Kenny! My reading ability (slight slisdexia) doesn't allow me to read quickly--I appreciate the recommendation of other to keep me from spending 300 pages in a book that's not worth it.
Kenda,
Thanks very much for your comment. It sounds like you've had some very negative experiences in the church. I'm very sorry to hear that. But is it really fair to lump every complementarian church under the all-encompassing heading of "conservative church" and assume that any church who maintains a distinction between male and female gender roles is engaged in neglect, oppression, abuse?
If we're simply comparing experiences, then >my< experience of complementarian churches has only involved the inclusion, respect, encouragement, and nurture of women and their gifts. To say that men and women play different roles in the church is not to play the superiority/inferiority game. If a man uses "biblical complementarianism" to harm or subjugate women, then he's sadly mistaken and ought to be held accountable.
At many times and in many ways, I have considered the possibility that my "indoctrination" has held me back in the ways you suggest. Only, I >began< as an egalitarian and arrived at the complementarian position through my study of Scripture and tradition. When I pastored an egalitarian-leaning church, I had ample opportunity (and encouragement!) to change my position. But, to echo Luther, I have not been convinced from Scripture or by reason that "the complimentarian [sic] belief is the opposite of hope and grace for ALL and is in no way biblical." If you asked any of the women in that church (or any other) about my ministry to them, I sincerely doubt words like neglect, oppression, subjugation, disrespect, etc. would enter the conversation.
Again, I appreciate your comments and experiences, and I am truly sorry that you've experienced mistreatment in the church. But I'd ask you to deal a bit more fairly with your opponents' own arguments and experiences. To assume I've mindlessly allowed myself to be indoctrinated into a system of oppression is quite the leap. And to suggest that I'm actively participating in oppression is neither true to my intent, experience, or action—nor that of any of the churches in which I've served.
Kenny