In Depth:  complementarianism

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Dear TGC-UK... sincerely, a critical friend

Dear TGC-UK... sincerely, a critical friend
Dave Williams
Dave Williams

Reports suggest that plans for a TGC-UK (The Gospel Coalition-UK) are moving forward at pace.

I’ve appreciated much about The Gospel Coalition, including the content provided online and the Themelios journal. I owe much to its founders, Don Carson and Tim Keller, in terms of my pastoral and theological formation. However, I have reservations and questions about the new venture.

Stop apologising for being a complementarian!

Stop apologising for being a complementarian!
Fran Kirby & Graham Nicholls
Fran Kirby & Graham Nicholls

"Egalitarian" and "complementarian" are broad categories. However, they do sum up a primary distinction between those who believe that leading and preaching in the church can be a role for either men or women (egalitarian) or those who, like us (Fran Kirby and Graham Nicholls), believe that the church should reflect the household by reserving particular leadership roles for men (complementarian).

We have noticed recently that some complementarians have a tendency to downplay their position – either that or they are inclined to apologise for it, to over-compensate for it, or to try and work around it by creating ministry titles and roles.

‘Battle of the Sexes’ – compelling or concerning?

‘Battle of the Sexes’ – compelling or concerning?
Luke Randall
Luke Randall

Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka and former men’s Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios have agreed to tennis’s latest iteration of the Battle of the Sexes.

The event, which will take place in late December in Dubai, will be the latest such contest to take place, following Billie Jean King’s high-profile victory over 55-year-old Bobby Riggs in 1973, which is widely considered a watershed moment for the women’s game in its bid to gain greater recognition and funding.

Stop saying sorry for complementarianism, EMA told

Stop saying sorry for complementarianism, EMA told
Iain Taylor
Iain Taylor

Evangelicals should stop apologising for being complementarian, the keynote speaker at the Evangelical Ministry Assembly (EMA) told the gathering.

Dr Jim Hamilton, Professor of Biblical Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, was being interviewed by Gwilym Davies of The Proclamation Trust, which arranges the three-day event in London.

Complementarian women prophecy focus

Complementarian women prophecy focus
Corinne Brixton

This year’s ‘Women in Ministry’ conference organised by the Proclamation Trust was focused on Old Testament prophecy.

Around 80 women gathered at The Hayes Centre in Swanwick to hear God’s word taught and to be equipped to serve God more faithfully. We listened to talks on Micah and Zephaniah (from Kirsten Guthrie and Jonathan Gemmell respectively) and worked together in small groups on other passages from Micah. The aim of the conference was not only to meet with the Lord Himself, but also to be better prepared for teaching this Biblical genre, whatever our context.

Is complementarian theology really abusive?

Is complementarian theology really abusive?
Karen Soole
Karen Soole

I recently found myself tagged in a lengthy Twitter discussion.

Megan Cornwell interviewed me for an article called ‘Is complementarian theology abusive’ for Premier Christianity. She posted a link, and the responses began. It was like watching a tennis match, a type of Twitter ping pong. Tweets passed backwards and forwards. The rallies were long. An accusation followed by a defence with a counterargument returned.

‘True complementarianism’ examined at meetings

‘True complementarianism’ examined at meetings
Church Society

Anglican evangelical organisation Church Society has partnered with Bishop Rod Thomas for a series of regional meetings in London, Bristol, Leicester and Manchester.

‘It was wonderful to be able to gather in person with ministers, women workers, and lay leaders at each of these events’, said one delegate who attended.

Evangelical Futures: What’s the future for C of E complementarians?

Evangelical Futures: What’s the future for C of E complementarians?
Ros Clarke
Ros Clarke

Is there a future for complementarianism in the Church of England?

Thirty years ago, when the first ordinations of women priests were beginning, the Church of England claimed to hold ‘two integrities’. Both those in favour of such ordinations and those opposed on grounds of theological conviction were held to represent valid Anglican orthodoxy. The balance changed with the consecration of women as bishops. At that point, the church declared that women should rightly be able to serve in any office in the Church of England. There is now only one integrity.

A ‘fierce’ book on complementarianism

A ‘fierce’ book on complementarianism
Sarah Allen

Book Review RECOVERING FROM BIBLICAL MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD: How the Church Needs to Rediscover Her Purpose

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Letter

Should women teach?
Stephen H. Levinsohn
Date posted: 1 May 2020

Dear Editor,

I would like to respond to a couple of the points in Andrew Bartlett’s article.

Letter

Should women teach?
Phillip Billson
Date posted: 1 Apr 2020

Dear Sir,

I am puzzled! I read en for its theological insight and its pastorally helpful articles. For example, in March’s issue there is Euan Dodd’s ‘Evangelical triangle’ and Linda Allcock’s article on pornography, to mention just two. (I also read en for vital news about the persecuted church, which so many Christians in the West forget about). Generally you seem to source your copy from people I would consider to be moderately Conservative Evangelical. Why then, when it comes to the issue of women preaching, do you choose a hardliner from the Southern Baptists – who relies on a single passage of Scripture for his argument? You further compound the injury by publishing a photo of Katharine Jefferts Schori – that bête noire of bishops for the vast majority of evangelicals. If you must source so much of your copy from the USA (where not only mainstream but also religious politics is so polarised) why not choose a more moderate source prepared to consider the wider counsel of Scripture? Graham Cole (Women teaching men the Bible: what’s the problem? www.cbe.org.au/ index.php/ministry/women-teaching-men) could hardly be possessed of a more illustrious evangelical provenance both in Australia and the USA. Might you be bold enough to publish a different view?

Should women teach? Another view

Should women teach? Another view
Andrew Bartlett

In a second article on the issue of women preaching in the local church, Andrew Bartlett responds to Tom Schreiner (en March 2020)

Kat spoke up in class at seminary. A male student shouted: ‘Just stop!’ He saw her participation as a danger. ‘I have one question for you,’ he said. ‘Why are you even here?’

Women at work
John Benton

The government believes it should be providing pre-school day care for most children.

But what are the issues involved in returning to the workplace for Christian women?

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