Thesis:
There are several issues which I deal with on a daily basis. One of the issues I deal with is the role of husband and wife within a family and whether or not women are able to serve as Pastors. I am a complementarian, and have outlined my position on roles in marriage and ministry below.
Created Equal:
Complementarians affirm that men and
women are both created in the image of God. Men and women have equal value and
dignity before God. Nowhere in the Bible does it state that any gender is
created more in the image of God than the other, both are created equally in
the image of God. Genesis 1:27, 31 states, “Male and female he created them…and
behold it was very good.”[2]
Dr. Grudem writes, “If God thinks us to be equal in value, then that settles
forever the question of personal worth, for God’s evaluation is the true
standard of personal value for all eternity.”[3]
Paul writes in Galatians 3:26-29, “For you are all sons of God through faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is
neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Men and women
are both equally filled with the Holy Spirit at conversion, and men and women
are both given spiritual gifts which are useful for the edification of the
church. Complementarians treat women with respect because women are created
equally in the image of God.
Different roles in Marriage:
Men and women are both created equally
in the image of God; however, this equality involves different roles within the
marriage relationship. Men are responsible to lead, provide for, and protect
their family. Paul outlines the role of men in several places in the Bible including
Ephesians 5:25-33. Paul argues that men should exercise servant leadership in
their protection and provision of their families. Dr. John Piper writes, “at
the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to
lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man’s differing
relationships.”[4]
Adam was created first and exercised his headship over the animals by naming
each of the animals. Adam exercises his headship over the woman when He gives
her the name Eve. Dr. Grudem writes, “Genesis 1-2, the original readers would
have recognized that the person doing the naming of created things is always
the person who has authority over those things.”[5] Also,
God holds Adam responsible for Eve’s sin, showing that Adam had the
responsibility to lead and protect his wife. Adam was humanities representative
in the fall and he is our example of male headship which existed before the fall.
Women’s roles within marriage are
outlined by Paul in Ephesians 5:22-24. Paul argues for submission by the wife
to her husband. Paul also explains that respect and honor should be given by
the wife to her husband. Dr John Piper once again writes, “at the heart of
mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive, and nurture,
strength, and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman’s
differing relationship.”[6] Women
are not required to submit to every male member of society, rather, a woman’s
submission is strictly tied to her relationship with her husband or father.
Furthermore, a woman’s role within the family is directly tied to a man’s
ability to lead. If a husband does not lead his family than a woman is unable
to submit; and must step into a role she was never intended to fulfill. Male
leadership in the home is necessary for a woman to fulfill her God given role.
For a woman to submit and practice honoring and respecting her husband than a
husband must step up to the plate and lead his wife and children. There are
differing roles within the marriage relationship but these roles do not imply
inequality.
Distinct, but, Complementary:
The roles within a marriage
relationship are distinct but distinction does not imply inequality. Examples
of distinct but complementary roles are seen within the Trinity. Paul writes in
1 Corinthians 11:3, “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is
Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” Paul
is referring to the fact that a husband is head of his wife in the same manner
as God is head over Christ. The Trinity consists of three members, who are
equal in deity and attributes, but each fulfills different roles. The Trinity
is a picture of the relationship which exists within marriage. Men and women
are equal in personhood and worth but differ in the roles which have been given
to them by God. Dr Grudem writes, “(j)ust as the Father and Son are equal in
deity and equal in their attributes, but different in role, so husband and wife
are equal in personhood and value, but they are different in the roles God has
given them.”[7]
The idea of headship, submission, and complementary roles was not thought up
initially in Danvers, Massachusetts; rather, headship and submission have
always existed within the Trinity.
Roles in the Church:
The distinct roles within the
marriage relationship and the distinct roles found within the Trinity are
pictures of the distinct roles which exist within the church. One of the most
prominent texts in the Bible which deals with the role of women within a local
church is found in 1 Timothy 2:11-12. Paul writes, “Let a woman learn quietly
with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise
authority over a man; rather she is to remain quiet.” Paul definitively argues
for male eldership within a local church. Dr. Schreiner writes, “Women should
not teach men or exercise authority over them because this would violate God’s
intention in creation.”[8]
Adam was created first and then Eve, signifying Adam’s headship over Eve. In
the same manner as creation, a woman’s role of submission is pictured as she
submits to the male teaching in a local congregation. Paul’s teaching on
submission does not suppress women but allows women an opportunity to be taught
and learn. Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Paul is commanding that women be taught
in the church. That was a novel concept, since neither first-century Judaism
nor Greek culture held women in high esteem.”[9]
Women are not to be shut out of the learning process but rather are to be
taught and equipped in the local church.
In 1 Timothy 3:2-4 Paul gives the
qualifications for an overseer in the church. Paul writes that the overseer
must be the husband of one wife. If Paul intended for women as well as men to
serve as overseers he would have included something about women being the wife
of one husband. Dr Schreiner writes, “Paul says that an overseer must be the
husband of one wife and he must be able to rule his house will. These are both
roles that are specific to men.”[10] Paul
intends for men to lead and pastor a local congregation as opposed to women.
In the Old Testament, priests were
responsible for teaching the Israelites about God both who He is; as well as
what is expected of the Israelites in order to have a relationship with God. Malachi
2:6-7, “True instruction was in his mouth,
and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and
uprightness and he turned away many
from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge and people
should seek instruction from his mouth,
for he is the messenger of the LORD
of hosts.” Malachi 2:6-7 emphasizes the male leadership of the priests which was
found within the Old Testament. In the New Testament when Jesus chooses those
who will be His followers; and one day the leaders in the church, he chooses 12
men. Dr. Schreiner writes, “(i)f the church was supposed to have female
leadership, than Jesus would have chosen six males and six female apostles.”[11] Jesus’
choosing of 12 men emphasizes the role of men in leading, serving and teaching
in the local church.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, God created men and women equal. This equality involves different roles in the marriage relationship. Different roles do not imply inequality, and the distinct roles in marriage are pictures of distinct roles in the church.
[1] Wayne Grudem, “Danvers
Statement,” in Recovering Biblical
Manhood & Womanhood, ed. John Piper and Wayne Grudem (Wheaton:
Crossway, 1991), 470.
[2] All Bible references are taken
from the English Standard Version.
[3]
Wayne Grudem, Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth.
(Colorado Springs: Multnomah Publishers, 2004), 27.
[4] John Piper, “A Vision of
Biblical Complementary.” in Recovering
Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, ed. John Piper and Wayne Grudem (Wheaton:
Crossway, 1991), 37.
[5] Wayne Grudem, Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth.
(Colorado Springs: Multnomah Publishers, 2004), 31.
[6] John Piper, “A Vision of
Biblical Complementary.” in Recovering
Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, ed. John Piper and Wayne Grudem (Wheaton:
Crossway, 1991), 46.
[7] Wayne Grudem, Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth.
(Colorado Springs: Multnomah Publishers, 2004), 46.
[8] Thomas R. Schreiner, “Women in
Ministry.” In Two Views on Women in
Ministry, ed. James Beck and Craig Blomberg (Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
2001), 224.
[9] John MacArthur, “1 Timothy.” In The MacArthur Bible Commentary, ed. John
MacArthur (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), 1783.
[10] Thomas R. Schreiner, “Women in
Ministry.” In Two Views on Women in
Ministry, ed. James Beck and Craig Blomberg (Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
2001), 225.
[11] Ibid., 230.
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