Today’s church gender debates must be re-centred on Christ
Matthew James Norris
Over the past year, the Church of England has spent considerable time engaging in cultural debates about sex and gender identity. Yet across these discussions, one question remains strikingly absent – as shown by the Living in Love and Faith process, and Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury: what do these debates have to do with Christ and His relationship to His church as the fulfilment of creation?
Most public arguments about women in ministry, church order, or gender identity, tend to revolve around three familiar questions: the interpretation of key Biblical texts, the role of historical-cultural context, and whether individuals possess the relevant gifts or capacities. Those are not trivial issues. But they are not where Paul begins.
Today’s church gender debates must be re-centred on Christ
Over the past year, the Church of England has spent considerable time engaging in cultural debates about sex and gender identity. Yet across these discussions, one question remains strikingly absent – as shown by the Living in Love and Faith process, and Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury: what do these debates have to do with Christ and His relationship to His church as the fulfilment of creation?
Most public arguments about women in ministry, church order, or gender identity, tend to revolve around three familiar questions: the interpretation of key Biblical texts, the role of historical-cultural context, and whether individuals possess the relevant gifts or capacities. Those are not trivial issues. But they are not where Paul begins.