Month: March 2018

In the wake of fourth-wave feminism, we come again to a question that has plagued womankind since the fall in Genesis: What is a woman’s role? Now hold your horses, folks, this is a much more nuanced issue than it first appears. It extends to the role of men and women in the church and in the home. (Let the record show that there is much more to this question than what is presented in this article, but here you’ll find a pretty good start.) The perspective that I intend to explore here is called complementarianism, which, simply put, means that women are not made to teach with authority or lead men spiritually. This excludes women from being pastors, elders, or spiritual decision makers for their homes.

I know this is tough, but please don’t stop reading just yet.

Why would any sane woman subscribe to such a seemingly limiting view on gender roles? Are we not just as capable as our male counterparts? What fresh misogyny is this?!?!

All good questions, ladies!!! As a self-proclaimed sane and capable woman (and a sinner saved by grace), let me offer some insight as to why this position on gender roles has persisted in the church for the last 2,000 years.   

To best understand the complementarian perspective in spite of my subconscious twenty-first-century biases, I have found it helpful to examine both what complementarianism is and what it isn’t.

Gender roles in ministry are not actually as archaic as you might think. The role of women in ministry has been hotly contested since the founding of the early church. It is incorrect to assume that now is the first time in history when women have been “empowered” enough to unveil a “better” interpretation of the scriptures on women’s role in the church. (see Daughters of the Church: Women and Ministry from New Testament Times to Present [1987]). In fact, gender roles as outlined by complementarianism are very full of biblical wisdom. That means, rather than an institute of blind tradition, gender roles are an institution set up by our eternal God.

While interpretations of passages dealing with gender roles abound, it is important to read these scriptures in context with their intended meaning intact. When we come to this scripture with humble hearts, the truth behind complementarianism becomes clear. Genesis 2 gives woman the purpose and designation of “helper” or ezer when she is first created. This Hebrew word ezer is the same one used for the Holy Spirit other places in scripture (e.g. Deut. 33:26, Psalm 33:20, Hosea 13:9). This position of the woman as a helper is therefore clearly a necessary one and an important one. “It is not good that man should be alone,” declares the Lord in Genesis 2:18, so what would have been the point of God creating another human with the same person as man separately from man? For this answer, we must continue digging in scripture.

Complementarianism also isn’t legalistic. The Bible is clear when it commands that we not add to or take away from scripture (Deut. 4:2, Deut. 12:32, Rev. 22:18), but many people claim that imposing restrictive roles on women in ministry does just that– it reads too much into the role assigned to women in the Bible. But within the appropriate interpretations of biblical gender roles, complementarianism is actually very liberating. The fall of Adam and Eve put a nasty kink in the desire of woman, that our desire would be for our husbands and they would rule over us (Gen. 3:16b). Since then we have been enslaved to a strange longing for control, whether that is being “the neck that turns the head” or “the one who wears the pants.” The complementarian perspective, along with any other renewed perspective we gain as we learn more about God through His Word, satisfies our longing for purpose in a way that is pleasing to God rather than a way which leads us to demean and reject our brothers in Christ. What on the outside might feel oppressive to women specifically (scriptures like 1 Timothy 2:11-15) actually stems from the oppression of sin on humanity, but give us hope for redemption in our God-given purpose of being uniquely created to complement our male counterparts as child-bearers, encouragers, and upright believers.

So finally, this idea isn’t anti-woman. Let me repeat it so that I am not misheard: COMPLEMENTARITY IS NOT A FORM OF OPPRESSION. Because of the oppression that women have faced throughout history (due in part to the curse of Eve in Genesis 3), it is often easy to overcorrect and attempt to throw out our God-given differences altogether. Many will argue that the place women are put in scripture is fundamentally less-than men and in fact contributes to the ubiquitous violence committed against women. But, sister, I am here to tell you: the Bible does anything but stifle women. In fact, it is very edifying to not just womankind, but humanity as a whole! There are numerous examples of strong women in scripture who hold positions in leadership (Judges 4:4, Esther 4:14, Exodus 15:20), business (Acts 16:14, Proverbs 31:18), church work (2 Kings 22:14, Romans 16:1), homemaking, and even combat (Judges 4:21, Exodus 38:8 if you want to get speculative) without compromising their role as ezer. And these are just a few examples, I could go on. Although the Bible does establish different roles for men and women in some aspects purpose, the personhood and equality of the genders is made clear throughout scripture (Genesis 1:27). We are all encouraged to use our gifts within the role we are given, being male or female.

Reading this may have hurt you. Sister, trust me, I feel your frustration. The thought that I need men to lead me in my church and in my future home is terrifying. But the burden is not mine and yours to bear alone; men need us to support them, counsel them, and mediate disputes. Man and woman comprise two halves of the whole of humanity which the Lord has created to bring glory to Himself. But zooming out, our deep and frightening need of each other becomes infinitesimally insignificant compared with the deep and raw need we have for Christ. Even more, our need for each other reminds us of our need for Him, and isn’t that the point of it all?

(Rooted and Redeemed wants to thank Shannon Mann for writing this thoughtful and insightful article for us)

The thoughts weren’t the problem. The words were the problem. I typed out word after word and nothing that I said had power. Sure, the ideas were okay – even good – but the actual words weren’t holding weight. I could not communicate the ideas well. What I wanted was to create an inspirational, truthful piece that would cause others to look at the cross. What I created instead was a mess that needed to be deleted.

This is what happens when I try to create out of nothing. I do not have that power. Even the words that come out of my mouth – or onto a page – are not only from me. God is not the same. He creates without needing words created by others. His thoughts are perfect. And they perfectly executed the beginning of the world.

God alone has the power to create something from nothing. This is evident in the Biblical account of how the world came to be. Genesis 1:3 describes not only what God created but how He created. It says “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” God did not need supplies to make the world. He didn’t have to run to Michael’s or Target to get the tools He needed to create light or animals or man. God simply spoke and it was so. He commands the universe and the universe declares His praise (Romans 1:20). This is a fact that we all know but often forget.

So what are the implications of being reminded of God’s power over creation? It’s a change in perspective and once we know it to be true– it changes the way we live our lives. If we live every second of every day knowing and contemplating the power of our God we would be more able to trust Him fully. After all, if this God that merely speaks and intricate beings are created, cares for us and is for us, what have we to fear? Romans 8:31b-32 lays this out beautifully: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” The Lord provides all things according to His will. We know that His will is to prosper us and not to harm us. Therefore

This is the mindset that I pray we live more of our lives in: That the God who creates effortlessly and has all authority on earth and is in heaven has plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). He is for us and not against (Romans 8:31). When we realize this truth and live fully in the knowledge of the Lord’s omnipotence (His unrestricted power), we free ourselves up to do the work He has for us.

When we truly believe that the Lord is all-powerful we are able to trust Him because when we are weak He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). When we accept Christ the Holy Spirit dwells within us, that means  God, fully powerful, is actively living and working inside of us! This doesn’t make us all-powerful, but it does allow us to do so much more than we could ever dream of accomplishing on our own.

The same powerful God who created the world helps us. We are promised help from Him and via that help, we are able to do so much more than we can on our own. Jen Wilkin describes it beautifully: “His thoughts never wander with fatigue. His arms never grow too weary to support and protect. Our heavenly Father is strong, and perpetually so.” It is a wonderful description of the verse that describes what God’s presence on our lives accomplishes: “When I am weak; then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10b). When we are weak on our own, He enables us to be strong. He provides for us with His never-ending power.

So when I can’t find my words, He provides. He gave me a wonderful friend that is willing to make comments and edit and share ideas with me. When I feel completely inept and powerless, He promises that He will use those weaknesses. The Lord works even though I am weak. His strength is not diminished by my inability to do something on my own. He equips and enables so that He may be glorified.

Soli Deo Gloria.

If you were more conscious of the Lord’s power, how would your life look different? How could you set yourself up to be more aware of the Lord’s power?