Pastoral and unpastoral pastors?

The Southern Baptist Convention has recently made waves by deciding to add to its rules that associating churches must not include women pastors on their staff. This links in part to the decision by Saddleback Church to appoint female pastors and Rick Warren’s change of mind on complementarianism.  However, the decision has caused consternation not… Continue reading Pastoral and unpastoral pastors?

First and second things

At the weekend, the Keswick Convention put out a statement on social media as follows.  It seems that the convention has been subject to a bit of a protest about their stance on women speakers. It’s not the first time that Christians have decided to protest Christian events. In fact, back when we attended Keswick,… Continue reading First and second things

The ideal wife?

Sometimes in discussions about the roles of men and women, especially with regards to the debate about complementarianism and egalitarianism, Proverbs 31 is cited as significant.   How relevant exactly is this passage to the debate? That will depend on the purpose of the passage. There are three options. Different commentators have made their case in… Continue reading The ideal wife?

Complementarianism, Egalitarianism and the messiness of arguing from history/tradition

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

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