I have just read one of the best articles EVER!
A well-known evangelical Christian, Tony Campolo, has written an article for Beliefnet.com entitled "Let the Women Preach." Although many Christian denominations do indeed ordain women, many others still refuse. The fact that an evangelical male has made it a point to write this article makes me want to jump for joy! (Especially since I'm kind of sick of my evangelical friends quoting 1 Timothy at me.)
My favorite quote has got to be:
"If a man is so intimidated by a woman in a role of leadership, the man has a psychological problem that needs to be healed and cured. He needs counseling and he needs prayer. We can’t control women simply to cater to the insecurities of men who can’t handle this. If a guy is intimidated by a woman in leadership, he has real problems with his own concepts of masculinity. That’s a harsh statement, but I believe it to be true."
I think I love this guy.
A well-known evangelical Christian, Tony Campolo, has written an article for Beliefnet.com entitled "Let the Women Preach." Although many Christian denominations do indeed ordain women, many others still refuse. The fact that an evangelical male has made it a point to write this article makes me want to jump for joy! (Especially since I'm kind of sick of my evangelical friends quoting 1 Timothy at me.)
My favorite quote has got to be:
"If a man is so intimidated by a woman in a role of leadership, the man has a psychological problem that needs to be healed and cured. He needs counseling and he needs prayer. We can’t control women simply to cater to the insecurities of men who can’t handle this. If a guy is intimidated by a woman in leadership, he has real problems with his own concepts of masculinity. That’s a harsh statement, but I believe it to be true."
I think I love this guy.
Click here to see the article in its entirety (be sure to read both page one and two).
posted by Living Life With Exclamation Points! at
12:47 PM
9 Comments:
Yes, yes. That's very cute. You can be whatever you want to be.
Now calm down and get back to the kitchen.
And bring me a beer.
By
Anonymous, at January 29, 2007 at 2:49 PM
Now now Mr. Lutz. Let's not go back to the 60s-- we all know what type of screw-ups came out of THAT era....
By
Living Life With Exclamation Points!, at January 29, 2007 at 3:05 PM
Yeah, finally some proof to silence those who see 1 Timothy as a matter of convenience to make a weak point.
I think I'm sensing the leads to a good column for you maybe in this, given you can draw upon numerous actual cases of those who would like to persuade you away from your calling.
It's a thought at least... And if it really scares people, we have not only our main pastor, but the backup retired pastor up here is female, so it's time for people to get over their hangups and stereotypes.
By
Anonymous, at January 29, 2007 at 11:19 PM
Campolo makes a good point, however I think he simplifies the argument too much. Yes, 1 Timothy can be interpreted a myriad of ways, but we must remember that since that passage says what it does, those who interpret it literally are not standing on unsteady theological ground. They have not only the evidence of Scripture, but the vast weight of Christian history behind them. I say this not to discourage anyone from seeking the pulpit - if they are so called by God - but only to make the point that we can't just toss a key tenet of much of historical Christianity out the window because our modern gender politics finds it inconvenient.
Also, always remember Paul's speech about food sacrificed to idols. He was talking about much more than just a slab of roast beef. That example serves as a paradigm for many other instances of strong vs. weak faith. If one person interprets the verses literally out of a weak (read: strict) faith, and another falls to the egalitarian side out of strong faith, we must be careful not to judge the weaker brother, lest he stumble.
Keep in mind that I personally have no qualms with a woman behind the pulpit. I think that God can use anyone to perform his works...however, Campolo has a pretty long track record of simplifying arguments to make a point, when they indeed can not be simplified
By
Anonymous, at January 30, 2007 at 10:33 PM
I don't think Campolo is just "tossing a key tenet of much of historical Christianity out the window because our modern gender politics finds it inconvenient."
I would have to argue that the Apostle's letter to the Thessalonians was written for a specific time and purpose. Back then, women were indeed considered lower-class citizens who were only good for child-bearing and were supposed to stay silent.
Presently, women are allowed to do virtually any job that men can. Women are doctors, lawyers, and, in some denominations, pastors. In our current time, it is beneficial to remember that Scripture can indeed speak to us, although we must read it in the context of its time and interpret it so that it speaks to our own time. According to the passage many point out, women could never be CEOs, never be in the high-powered jobs they are in today.
The Bible is a "historical" document. By historical, I do not mean a literal account of what occurred-- I mean that, like every other writing, the Bible was written in a historical context. When we read Scriptured, we must therefore read through two lenses: how it was written for their time, and how it can speak to ours as well. Yes, it is a divinely-inspired document, but it was also written by humans who lived in a historical context. There are plenty of things in the Bible that we don't do anymore, that we chalk up to actions that were only for that time. And yet, people continue to read specific passages literally, such as 1 Timothy. My argument is that if you're going to read 1 Timothy literally, then you better also go cut animals in half as a sacrifice and sleep with concubines to continue your lineage.
I know many denominations/people do not agree with what I just said, and that is fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Personally, however, I believe that women, if God is calling them, can indeed be pastors.
By
Living Life With Exclamation Points!, at January 31, 2007 at 9:30 AM
Seriously, I think it says a lot about our modern culture that we let you girls have all these keen jobs. Doctorette, Lawyerette, Pastorette, Info-babe, Weather Gal - it's a new day in America and I for one am all for it!
Us guys (us *real* guys, that is) have finally figured out that it's easier to live with you if we let you pretend to be as good as men are. Just be sure to get home in time to cook dinner, that's all, and everything will be cool.
By
Anonymous, at January 31, 2007 at 3:11 PM
Hey I am so glad you found my blog! how is you semester going? Mine just started so I can't complain yet...
Have you seen revgalblogpals? you def have to check it out!
By
Kristen, at January 31, 2007 at 9:03 PM
About half of the leadership team at my Anglican church female, even though the church is semi- conservative. One is a curate (like a deacon) and there a bunch of others as various heads of ministries. Although our head pastor gives the sermon most of the time, various females in the leadership have as well.
Tony Campolo is pretty cool, although I haven't read that article. I just analysed his book on evangelical environmentalism "How To Rescue the Earth Without Rescuing Nature" for a paper. It's a great book (although I have some minor quibbles), and it's bizarre that what he was saying in 1992 is just coming into evangelical culture today. Sad more than bizarre, I guess though.
His stuff on social justice looks very good as well, although I haven't read it. Viva la activist Christianity!
By
Anonymous, at February 1, 2007 at 6:53 PM
"Shannon said...
About half of the leadership team at my Anglican church female..."
Wow. Really? A girl-church? Cool!
Sign me up - I am, like, SO there.
- lutz
By
Anonymous, at February 2, 2007 at 1:06 PM
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