Pat M.

I appreciate Cheryl’s dedication to providing a forum for respectful discussion of the gender issues that trouble the church. I appreciate Mike Seaver’s willingness to participate.

To me, much of the debate between complimentarians and egalitarians is like an unending dispute over the literal meaning of letters and words from just a few lines of scripture. I am neither complementarian nor egalitarian because after struggling with the “woman issue” in church myself, I now perceive the mixture of truth & error in both camps, but if I were pressed for a term like that, I would choose ‘unitarian’ to describe the understanding I now have.

I would like to share that an important thing to remember in this debate is anyone can read and study scripture in its external or literal sense and form assumptions for their own opinions but as we know, past what we can do ourselves, only the Lord can truly enlighten our understanding by His Spirit of truth. He does so through the internal sense of the Word in those who are willing to set aside their opinions and receive a love of the truth.

Especially in this discussion it is essential to understand how the Word of God is living and active and three-fold. There is in the Word an external sense (letter), an internal sense (spiritual) and an inmost sense (celestial); while they are in no way the same, they all make one by correspondences. The external sense contains within itself the other two, like the body contains a soul & spirit. If we cannot judge the heart of a man by his outward appearance, or judge a book by its cover or the flavor of an orange by only its peel, we also cannot judge what the Word of God says about gender related issues based on just the literal words.

The letter alone kills; but the Spirit gives life. The Lord did not give us just a few lines of scripture for a study of this matter but rather…..the sum of thy word is truth (Psa 119)

I agree with Mike Seaver that men and women are created equal as image bearers of God and that we have differing roles, not better or worse for males and females. I would only add to that, we are created reciprocal, not only for equality but beyond that for unity, like two halves that conjoin to form a whole. While I agree with Mike to this point, his emphasis on ‘male authority ’ or ‘ecclesiastical authority’ etc. is a contradiction to this understanding. I do not know of any OT law that prohibits women from teaching men or teaching the bible. That such law exists or was in effect and still is because Paul once mentions it in one of his letters is simply irrational assumption.

I do respect where Mike is in understanding and appreciate his sharing it. I also want to thank Cheryl for her zeal, courage and dedication in challenging the traditional practices and teachings that are harmful, not only for women, but for the church and all of God’s children.

Thanks for allowing me to share.
Pat M.