This is kind of a long footnote to what I wrote the other day about the supposed novelty of complementarianism. In some respects, you could sum up my response as “it’s more complicated than that.” More complicated than the claim by some (not all) egalitarians that complementarianism is the novel usurper. It isn’t for the… Continue reading Complementarianism, Egalitarianism and the messiness of arguing from history/tradition
Tag: Egalitarianism
Is Complementarianism novel?
This question crops up from time to time on my social media feed. It’s there at the moment I presume because the Southern Baptist Convention is meeting and in the light of developments at Saddleback Church where it’s former pastor, Rick Warren has now reversed his position and apologised to women, the topic is a… Continue reading Is Complementarianism novel?
Women and church leadership
I wanted to say a little bit more here about church leadership and my previous comments about churches needing both mums and dads. I’m a complementarian which means that I believe men and women are created equally in God’s image and are co-heirs in Christ. It also means that they bring different perspectives, gifts, roles… Continue reading Women and church leadership
Perhaps we all could listen a little better – a response to Aimee Byrd
Aimee Byrd has written this article, essentially arguing that Complementarians need to listen to people including herself who have been challenging their theology and culture but essentially giving up on us (I identify as a Complementarian) arguing that we are beyond hope. We are simply unable to listen. When Aimee’s book first came out, I… Continue reading Perhaps we all could listen a little better – a response to Aimee Byrd
How did complementarianism end up becoming a boundary marker?
This was a question asked the other day on twitter. It was expressed I believe as a lament as much as a question. There are Christians who stand foursquare with other evangelicals. They believe the Bible to be God’s inspired word, without error. They confess that Jesus died on the cross to bear the penalty… Continue reading How did complementarianism end up becoming a boundary marker?
Complementarianism – provision, protection and life before The Fall
I’ve argued that headship is not meant to be about power and hierarchy but rather, authority is about being authorised to do what we are responsible for. In the case of husbands and fathers (as well as elders -spiritually in the church) this is about provision and protection. I take this from Genesis 2:18 15 The Lord God… Continue reading Complementarianism – provision, protection and life before The Fall
Complementarianism and Egalitarianism -the practical overlap and the real difference
There’s been another flurry of conversation about complementarianism on social media recently. I think this has been prompted a little by this article in Premier Christianity. As a side note, I think that the article doesn’t do a bad job of trying to reflect the different views and provide balance. However, I am not convinced… Continue reading Complementarianism and Egalitarianism -the practical overlap and the real difference
Headship and love – What Ephesians 5 says about the cost of living crisis
I often return to the question of how we understand and apply Ephesians 5:21ff to marriage today. I’ve a particular interest in this area having written my MTh dissertation on the passage. So I have an academic interest but my concern is that this should be helpfully practical. One of the conclusions I’ve come to… Continue reading Headship and love – What Ephesians 5 says about the cost of living crisis
Not under compulsion: Is submission voluntary?
One of the key tenants of complementarianism is that submission, especially the wife’s submission to the husband is voluntary. In other words, she is not under compulsion to submit to her husband but rather, she may willingly choose to do so. Primarily when making the point, complementarians are seeking to address two groups of people.… Continue reading Not under compulsion: Is submission voluntary?
Headship – what are husbands meant to do?
I mentioned the other day a friend who was asking challenging questions about headship, submission, complementarianism and headship. Here’s another of their questions. If the core characteristic of male headship in marriage is love not leadership, why do we focus on submission to a husband’s leadership instead of his love? They are thinking primarily of… Continue reading Headship – what are husbands meant to do?
Faithroots 