Reading to your kid is a blessing both to the parents and
the child. “Hop on Pop” is one of Caroline’s favorite books. She also loves,
“Snuggle Puppy,” “My Little Cupcake” and Dr. Seuss's“The Foot Book.” Some day, in due
time, the roles will reverse, and my sweet baby girl will be reading to me. She's already getting closer every day. I’m
getting misty just thinking about it. And, one day, when Caroline is maturing
and processing what she is actually reading, my princess will come across a
couple of passages in the Bible, look at me, and say, “Daddy! What does this mean?”
“A woman should learn in quietness and full
submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over
a man; she must be quiet.” – 1 Timothy 2:11-12
“Women should remain silent in the churches.
They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire
about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is
disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Kids take things literally.
Some adults take the Bible literally too.
For all I knew, within the first 20 years of my life, the
only thing women could do in a church was teach Sunday School, bake casseroles, play the piano or become a Children’s Director (The title, “Children's Pastor” was too much even though most women
pastor/ shepherd better than most men!) Women preachers were an oddity,
seemingly liberal and possibly sacrilegious. There are some churches today that still won’t give women
the title, “Pastor,” even though they have “pastoral” men on their staff who
royally suck at that role as pastor. I really didn't know there were other options for women in the church.
It wasn’t until my junior and senior years
in college where I began to seriously read the Bible in context. I’m still in
the process of understanding Scripture with care and respect and have learned a
great deal about hermeneutics, exegesis, eisegesis, Rabbinical midrash, and
filtered all of that through years of church history and modern day reasoning
with the Holy Spirit nudging me along the way. I’d love to say, “I’m right!” on a few theological issues,
but “I might be wrong!” on many
occasions (Keeps me somewhat humble!). Still, as I look back at where I was 5, 10 and 15 years ago, I wonder, “What was I thinking?”
That’s life, and that’s theology!
Everyone has a starting point. I consider myself an
evangelical Christian to some degree, but I have a few bones to pick within
this subculture. I think it’s time we WAKE UP! Don’t get me wrong. There are
essentials in the historic, Christian faith that must be upheld. I like to believe that I’m above average
when it comes to “agreeing to disagree” in love on other issues (and I feel as if I’m getting
better at this the further I grow in Christ), but I’ll be the first one to
admit that I’m pretty hard pressed on one specific “peripheral” issue.
You see… in the western church, we often talk often about
agreeing on the essentials, and not letting the peripheral theological
doctrines and variants divide the bride of Christ. Unity is so important. Christ died for our sins and brought us together as ONE people. So, to start, the cross is critical to being an essential. He
rose again. Check! He will return. Amen! The Trinity. Yup! Typically, the Apostles Creed and/or
Nicene Creed are vague enough for everyone to say, “Yeah! That’s great. We agree.” (Even though there are a plethora
of interpretations within those creedal statements that are fun to dissect.)
The peripherals, non essentials, are typically the following: baptism,
communion, predestination and free will, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and there’s
a growing number of evangelicals who will extend this peripheral circle to talk
about homosexuality, women in ministry, end times, heaven and hell.
I’m becoming increasingly eager every day to move the “women
in ministry” topic out of the peripheral sphere and into the “fundamental” core
of what it means to be a genuine follower of Jesus! Perhaps having a daughter has upped the ante in my book, but she's worth it! I can no longer be a "light" egalitarian voice. It's time to get more vocal and join other women who are in the trenches. So, c'mon gentlemen. You might think I’m crazy,
and I might be wrong, but this particular issue is a serious one that needs
to be addressed and seen in its full light in order for justice to roll like a river!
Bottom line: One’s anatomy should not factor in the equation
within the local church! Sadly, it still does among many tribes… and, to me;
this issue is legitimately worth the fight!
I heard a story of a woman who was asked to speak at a
convention for pastors back in the late 1920’s. All of the “irreverent
Reverends” stood up and turned their backs on her when she began speaking to
the crowd. George W. Truett went up to the pulpit and ripped into these men for
being disrespectful. I remember writing a paper about Truett at Baylor University.
The seminary at Baylor is named after George for a good reason. Truett was a
progressive radical in the Southern Baptist Church for his time, sitting as the
President of the SBC from 1927-1929. Truett was one of the most significant
Baptist preachers of his era, and I believe if he were preaching today, George
would be on the front lines across the evangelical spectrum and other
denominations leading the charge for progressive action regarding women in
ministry!
My favorite college professor, Dr. Beck (a woman) paved the
way in her generation and told us incredibly sad stories of women being
disrespected during her seminary days in Texas. Young, aspiring male pastors
would condescendingly ask her, “So, why
do you want this degree? Do you want to teach children?” Women are still disrespected today, but mainly in the church.
Heaven forbid women have breasts and a brain!
Heresy if a woman can preach the paint off the walls!
Did you know that we live in a time where women can actually
vote! That’s crazy, right?
Scandalous! I'd say the Bible is more progressively, forward thinking & scandalously brilliant.
But speaking of today, women are doctors, lawyers, successful business owners,
counselors, professors, politicians, etc., and someday say (5-15 years),
we will probably see a woman in the White House.
I am raising a young girl and empowering her to reach for
the brightest stars. Her mother is an amazing role model. If Caroline wants to be a
doctor… GREAT! If she wants to be a teacher, lawyer, stay-at-home mom, chef,
social activist or a rancher, GO FOR IT! And, if she wants to be a lead pastor,
bishop, the first female Pope or a Messianic Rabbi, preach on soul sista’! I’ll be her biggest fan, indeed.
I’m not only raising my own flesh and blood, daughter, but
I’m blessed and honored to raise a daughter of our good, heavenly Father (The
King of Kings over all creation!). It is my deep conviction and belief that
Caroline and every other woman can handle a pulpit on a Sunday morning if that
is her calling and giftedness.
It’s time that men got their penises out of the way and stop downplaying the role of women in ministry. It’s time we take the Bible
seriously, in full context. It’s time we look at the kingdom mission of Jesus who had female followers.
There’s nothing “complimentary” about telling women that
they cannot serve as lead pastors or elders in my opinion! It’s downright
offensive if you ask me.
The same men who won’t allow women to serve as elders in
their local churches (even though the early church had women elders), are
seemingly okay with women leading other men in the “secular” sphere, thus,
creating a dualistic worldview which is essentially hypocritical. How can one reconcile
that position if everything and every realm is spiritual? A woman can lead a well-established cooperation, but cannot lead
in a local church?
Ludicrous!
I’ll be elated on the day when Caroline is old enough to
critically think as a mature individual and asks me, “Daddy. What does this
mean?” regarding those New Testament passages. I’ll unabashedly speak about the
culture of Ephesus, and the Greek goddess Artemis, which influenced Paul’s
words to Timothy as he ministered to the newly, converted Christians! Many Christians are simply unaware that Ephesus was actually a major, thriving city in the 1st Century. I’ll
speak about the temple prostitutes in Corinth and why Paul had to write those
words to the Corinthian church. Paul wrote to a variety of crowds and gave them instructions according to their specific culture.
I’ll talk to her about the female heroes of our faith:
Deborah, Esther, Miriam, Hannah, Mary of Magdala, and many more. I’ll show her
passages of the first arrivers of the empty tomb, female prophets in the New
Testament, Junia the apostle (BIG role for an early church leader!!!), Mary who sat
at Jesus’ feet (SCANDALOUS for a 1st Century Rabbi!), and I’ll point out the passages where Paul speaks of equality for all humankind!
There is no oppression in Christ!
There is no favoritism in Christ!
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor
female under the banner of Jesus, our risen Liberator!
So, I appeal not only to the women out there who are rocking
the pulpits of America (You have done a great job in being patient with the male-driven church to “catch up” to speed!). I plead with the men of faith with the utmost passion and sincerity.
Men of faith, it’s time we
get our heads out of the freakin' sand. It's time we become a fundamentalist on this fundamental issue! It’s time we give respect where respect is due.
It’s time we make this issue of vital importance because people matter, all
people, not just those with a penis and testicles! Let’s raise daughters who will lead. Let’s build up strong
women of character who will lead us, as fathers and husbands too, into the next
era!
Read away and lead away....
All right, Caroline just got up from her nap. Time to read “HOP
ON POP” for the 1,000th time.
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