I don’t know who David Gushee is, but he is an egalitarian who has done complentarians a service. He has written an article [1] in which, as he says, he wants to “ask you some questions aimed to help you keep the application of your approach as biblical as possible.” Before I read the article, I was afraid he would caricature the position and then try to force us to extremes. He doesn’t, not at all. He seems to really understand the position and with charity reminds us of some of the abuses and pitfalls we face. Here’s a summary of his questions:
- Are you successfully communicating to young men the conviction that a complementarian perspective must elevate rather than diminish the dignity of women, and therefore inculcating a moral commitment on their part to act accordingly?
- Are you absolutely clear on which positions of Christian service (you believe) are barred to women?
- Once you have determined what positions of Christian service are barred to women, you have therefore also determined which positions are permitted. Are you active in encouraging women to pursue the positions that are permitted?
- When women occupy positions of church leadership that parallel those of men, are their positions named equally and are the individuals involved treated equally?
Again, he isn’t attacking with these questions, he’s really helping us make sure we don’t misuse (intentionally or otherwise) the position. I might add a fifth point, not a question:
5. Ensure you know the bounds of the Biblical restrictions. Complentarianism doesn’t extend to the work place or public office.
[HT: Paulo [2]]