Tag: Egalitarianism

Does egalitarianism lead to denominations supporting Same Sex Marriage

Last week, the Methodist Conference voted to change its position on marriage. The decision was that: The Methodist Church believes that marriage is given by God to be a particular channel of God’s grace, and that it is in accord with God’s purposes when a marriage is a life-long union in body, mind and spirit… Continue reading Does egalitarianism lead to denominations supporting Same Sex Marriage

Complementarianism and Singleness – in practice

This is my third article responding to the accusation that complementarianism discriminates against single people.  I want to look at how this works out in practice. I want to say at the start that this is not an attempt to claim that the churches I’ve been part of as a member or as a leader… Continue reading Complementarianism and Singleness – in practice

Complementarianism and Singleness -what does the Bible say?

The other week, I wrote about complementarianism and singleness in response to the claim that Complementarianism gives no space for single women in the church or society because women are required always to relate to God and others through the authority of a man. In that article I explained that this is a misunderstanding of… Continue reading Complementarianism and Singleness -what does the Bible say?

Christian Patriarchy may be following the wrong trajectory

Patriarchy seems to be a dominant word at the moment. It’s being used as a term of accusation and abuse against complementarians. For example, Beth Allison Barr whose book I reviewed recently identifies this as the big problem with conservative evangelicalism. It is also being used as a badge of honour by some who say… Continue reading Christian Patriarchy may be following the wrong trajectory

(Not Quite) The making of Biblical Womanhood

The most recent contribution to the conversation about the role of men and women in the church and in the home is The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr. Barr argues against complementarianism and claims that it is in fact a modern attempt to re-impose patriarchy. Furthermore she argues that complementarianism is a… Continue reading (Not Quite) The making of Biblical Womanhood

You are not meant to be autonomous.

Out of recent conversations about church culture in the light of recent abuse scandals we’ve seen a renewed debate about complementarianism.  It’s a little confusing as to how this has happened because in the cases primarily linked to complementarian leaning churches the victims of abuse tended to be young men whereas in at least one… Continue reading You are not meant to be autonomous.

In defence of complementarianism

One of the things I’ve seen coming up again and again is the suggestion that part of the problem with conservative evangelical culture that needs to change is complementarianism. Indeed, you will notice that the push is to argue that complementarianism is not only a risk factor for creating abusive cultures but furthermore is, in… Continue reading In defence of complementarianism

Let women learn

Alistair Chalmers has started a series of articles from a complementation perspective on allowing women’s voices to be heard in church. He gives the extreme example (extreme in logic sadly not necessarily in terms of commonality) of women attending women’s conferences and being taught by men on what it means to be a godly mother… Continue reading Let women learn

Women teaching men revisited – another look at 2 Timothy 2:12

One of the key verses in the debate about the role of men and women in the church, especially in relation to teaching, preaching and leadership is 2 Timothy 2:12 which says: “12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” There has… Continue reading Women teaching men revisited – another look at 2 Timothy 2:12