So it's
been a fascinating week or two since word went out about Naomi's Ministry in
Residence program with us starting in September. Many people have
been incredibly supportive of what we are doing. Others have been
critical but in civil, respectful ways. Others, well, there are ...
always others.
I'm going
to take one posting (I have many other interests to move on to) to deal with
what seems to me to be the sticking point for many people skeptical of gender
egalitarian views. They are convinced that Paul in both 1 Corinthians
11:1-16 and 1 Timothy 2:9-15 anchors women’s silence and submission in church
in creation.
But could it
be that Paul in the 1 Timothy text is a contesting a specific notion of
creation rather than making an argument from creation? In the shadow of the great Temple of Artemis
worshiped in Ephesus as the Mother Goddess, there were those in Ephesus, and
apparently in the church there as well, who believed that women were created
first (a more widespread belief in the ancient world than most suppose) and
that women had special insight. Paul
observes that the biblical creation account offers no support for such views. For more on this, perhaps you could check out http://gal328.org/resources/congregational-studies-and-statements-on-gender/ where you will find in my writings and others further
development of this point. There is also
an extensive bibliography on this same website that advances our understanding
in these matters.
As for 1 Corinthians 11, the first ten verses do make some
kind of argument from creation, though scholars differ widely in the
understanding of what headship in this text means, and in any case, this text
does not rule out women praying and prophesying. With verse 11, however, Paul makes an always
important transition, “In the Lord, however … ,” as he moves from a fallen
world to a world redeemed by trust and grace.
Could it
be that one day the "arguments from creation" will be seen in their contexts, in both
their spiritual and historical contexts?
Context always matters. Could it be that one day more and more people will align their thinking
and behavior with Jesus’ teachings that we are not to be concerned about
who is the greatest but we, as his followers, are to be servants of all?
This is very interesting. I admit (having not been with a church as it has this full study) that I had not heard the connection you mention in 1 Timothy. I will do further reading.
ReplyDeleteOverall, although I am sure you have received some hurtful email or phone calls, it has been great to see the response to Naomi's hiring. As you say, even those who have been critical, for the most part, have been civil and respectful.
Dale's blog posting seems to be most relevant to the belief in creationism. Is acceptance of creationism a common thread/belief in Churches of Christ?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like in order to use creationist thought to justify submission and subservience of women to men then you'd need to believe in the creationist view. But for those who have a different belief it seems this justification doesn't qualify.