A Seat at the Table:(Wo)Man Flourishing

I recently invested hours reading theological arguments defining roles of women in the church (by Matt Chandler and his church) and listened to an interview with Gospel Coalition members Tim Keller, John Piper and Dale Carson. (Is that not what most stay-at-home moms do in their free time?)

Their stance on women in ministry is that women should not be in authoritative roles over men, and thereby are excluded from roles of elder, pastor, or even teacher over mixed gender groups.

Their conviction, based on their understanding of the Bible, is so strong that they asked men if they were willing to STAND UP for the truth even if they were being criticized as being against “women’s justice.” They made it clear that no Christian who believed in the authority of the Bible could question their understanding of the literal translation of Scripture.

I understand the desire to respect the authority of Scripture and to honor God for the flourishing of the church and the world. I do. But I increasingly feel the weight that it is actually women like me who must be brave enough to trust God’s call and voice even when the majority believe we’re willfully ignoring God’s word. And I’m increasingly certain that to question my understanding of the Bible doesn’t mean I’m diminishing the authority of God’s WORD, but of my human capacity to know for certain what was meant by a text written in a different language and culture and era.

I’m overwhelmed by rigid theology that creates toxic arguments, leaving little room for mystery or the possibility of humans missing God’s heart. I wonder, if wisdom is proved right by her actions, why we sometimes find ways to bend theology against wisdom. I’m weary of the weight of fighting for women because Christians see full freedom for women as contradicting God’s word, when I see God’s word as upholding our freedom.

And no matter where you stand on the issue, I’m discouraged by people acting as though “justice for women” is about placating some need a woman has to feel equal to men. Let me be very clear: I KNOW we are equal to men in God’s eyes. WE are brothers and sisters, children of God, one in Christ.

Yet women’s equality is not about KNOWING our identity in God, but walking in that identity alongside our brothers. Further, God’s full freedom for women is NOT simply to empower females or give them an ego boost. When women (and men) understand and walk in their FULL freedom in Christ, HUMANITY flourishes.

Equality for men and women means that BOTH voices need to be heard AND leveraged. When God said “It isn’t good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18) I don’t believe He was just referring to a marriage situation. I believe it is not good for man to be leading alone (without the input or voice of women) in life in general. The semantics of how this plays out may vary, but women NEED a voice and seat at the table of leadership for humanity, the church, and the family to flourish.

Did you know that women’s ability to vote in America reduced maternal mortality rates.

“During World War I, more American women died in childbirth than American men died in war. But from the 1920s to the 1940s in the United States, maternal mortality rates plunged- apparently because the same society that was giving women the right to vote also found the political will to direct resources to maternal health.”

From Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kistof and Sheryl Wudunn

Women see things from a different perspective, and carry a story and unique giftings to complement men. (Perhaps here, at least, we can agree.) It certainly isn’t that men don’t care about maternal mortality- but it wasn’t until women’s voice carried authoritative (backed by vote) weight that their perspective was not just tolerated but and leveraged to create LIFE IMPROVING change.

So why do we believe God meant to silence women’s voices from influencing the highest levels of leadership in the church? What if when God said that there is no male or female, slave or free, but all are one in Christ, He actually meant it? What if we stopped trying to explain away the powerful women in the Bible (the Deborahs [Judges 4-5] and Huldahs [2 Kings 22], Nymphas [Colossians 4:15] and Junias [Romans 16:7]) and instead embraced God’s Spirit in them?

If such sacred work as saving maternal lives could occur through women OUTSIDE the church being given a right to vote (speak and carry authority), can you imagine the kind of sacred work that could flourish INSIDE the church if women could do the same?

The fullest freedom possible for women is truly not a woman’s issue: it’s a human issue. Until we believe that elevating a woman’s voice and influence in the church is not simply charity for her benefit, we will ALL be impoverished. As my friend said recently, until women’s voices are included at the table, the whole body of Christ will be lead by half the body’s eyes and ears.

I will end with this: I know that many believe there is so much at stake if they open themselves up to questioning what they’ve always believed the Bible says about women in the church. But I will suggest that there is just as much at stake if you choose not to ask the questions.

I may not have all the answers, and you may not either. But even where answers are gray, may God lead us ever deeper into His heart, for His Kingdom, together.

Looking for more on this issue? If you’re a man or woman looking to hear from ANOTHER perspective, here’s a fascinating video from Ashley Mathews that helps explain what it’s like to be a woman with a calling from God that seems to defy the current. GENDER EQUALITY IN THE CHURCH WITH ASHLEY MATHEWS

If you want to chat more on this subject, please let me know! I truly desire to create dialogue and would love to hear your voice.