Cheryl Schatz

Mark,
I have just been reading through some of the past comments and I would like to make one important comment for the benefit of my readers. I think it would be wise to see those who comment here as sincere Christians who have come to their point of view honestly and with integrity in reading the Scriptures. I understand where they differ in their interpretations from what you believe, but I think it wise not to call their position a half-truth as if they are lying about the facts. I do agree that if someone is deliberately altering the facts and lying about it, it is good to expose that, but I don’t think that anyone is doing that here. I believe we should give people the benefit of the doubt about their motives as being honest and sincere and argue our own position from that stand point.

As far as Grudem goes he appears to know the historical evidence but for one reason or another he has chosen to give the evidence in such a way that his honesty appears in question. That bothers me a great deal.

It is the same thing with Bruce Ware who teaches on the eternal subordination of the Son, so insistent on putting women in their place that he has lowered Jesus so that He is no longer deserving of the highest praise, the highest honor, or equal authority with the Father so that it is not allowed for us to pray to Him. I have discussed this with Bruce Ware through emails and frankly it didn’t leave a good taste in my mouth. I feel the same way about what Grudem is doing. But Ware and Grudem are not posting on my blog. If they were, I would have to be very frank and tell them that what they are doing is wrong. It is possible to be a complementarian without downgrading Jesus. I embrace my complementarian brothers and sisters in Christ, but I am not so happy with those who deliberately lower Jesus when the Scripture is clear that He is to have equal honor with the Father.

Mark, I also know what it is like to be especially busy. I hope that you are able to continue to work on answering the questions here as it can be very helpful for us to understand a complementarian mindset.