Somebody has to explain this in “plain English” and I have taken on that task. When biblical scholars start writing, only they know what they are saying and what it actually means. So let’s finish their 10 Concerns about how women are destroying families, government, sexuality, and religion. Please feel free to laugh out loud.
We can’t laugh too long, however, because Southern Baptist Convention seminaries and entities, and other religious organizations have signed on to this Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.
Their Concern #7: Say what? When you read their concern in their Statement, you will wonder who wrote this stuff. Find it on their website http://www.cbmw.org.
My response: This Concern is that some churches have begun ordaining women to roles in church leadership that men have always held – pastors, deacons, elders – and that somehow this will destroy the church.
The church is shrinking but it is not because of women being ordained. It is the status quo that is shrinking churches and a loss of spiritual vision. Ordaining women across all denominations would see a spiritual revival like has not been seen in recent memory.
Their Concern #8: Hermeneutical oddities to trap people.
My Response: What they are saying is that the plain English reading of certain scriptures give men headship and authority over women (you can be assured that they are not concerned about any other scriptures). However, the scriptures they quote that they say gives man headship, are not supported by the Jesus who is found in the Gospels. There is no scripture, or quote, or action by Jesus that would back up the belief that men have headship over women.
Their concern #9. They want “ordinary people” to understand the scriptures, but ordinary people can’t even understand their wording in their Concern.
My Response. So, I will help them out here and explain what Concern #9 means. This Concern reinforces their belief that women are inferior to males, and claims that to say differently is a threat to Biblical authority. It is notable, again, that Jesus gave no indication of male superiority over females.
Their Concern #10. “Winsone.” Who uses the word winsome? Well, they do and again it is unclear what they mean.
My Response: Again, the ailing culture, according to this Concern of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, is caused by women who desire to be equal. It appears to be important to bring back “the good ole days” and they call upon the Holy Spirit to put women in their place (to reform).
In this list of their 10 Concerns, the blame is placed on women who desire the equality given them by God and stolen from them by man. Women are painted as destroying churches, marriages, and the ideal culture, and therefore must be brought under control by the church and husbands. They have blamed women for every concern they list.
Next Blog: Their Affirmations
Shirley Taylor Books (available on Amazon in print and on Kindle)
The Biblical Marriage Myth: The Devil Comes Calling
The Power of a Book: The Street Evangelist
Raising the Hood: A Christian Look at Manhood and Womanhood
Women Equal – No Buts: Powered by the Same Source
Dethroning Male Headship: 2nd Edition
From Wife to Widow: What I Know Now
