#10 Anthropology: Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism, Pt. 1

ANTHROPOLOGY: COMPLEMENTARIANISM VS. EGALITARIANISM Key Texts Gen 1:27 Prov 31 1 Cor 11:2-16 - covered head 1 Cor 14:34-36 - "let your women keep silent in the churches" Gal 3:28 - "neither male nor female...one in Christ" Eph 5:22-33/Col 3:18 - husbands & wives 1 Tim 2:8-15 - "learn in silence" 1 Tim 3:11 - translation of γυναῖκας Image of God: Gen 1:27 Both men and women are imagers of God, meaning we all have equality of purpose, value, worth. Definitions Egalitarianism - Key Verse: Gal 3:28 * "A major Christian view on gender roles that holds that women and men properly have equal and interchangeable roles in the home, church, and wider society" (LBD, "Egalitarianism"). * Equality in every way, including functions, roles, responsibilities, etc. * Men and women can hold the same roles in church leadership (e.g. pastors & deacons). * Men and women hold equal authority in a marriage. * Men and women can hold the same roles in society (e.g. government offices). Complementarianism: * "A major Christian view on gender roles that holds that women and men are spiritually equal but have distinct and complementary roles in the home, church, and wider society" (LBD, "Complementarianism"). * The husband is the head of the home, and the wife's role is that of submission. * Men are to serve as church leadership (elders, deacons). * Some complementarians teach that only men should hold positions of leadership in society. Questions A helpful way to frame the discussion of complementarianism vs. egalitarianism looks at the three primary spheres in which women and men would interrelate. Wives in the Home * Historical: Gen 3:16 As a result of the Fall, it seems woman would from then on desire to rule over their husbands. * Context: Eph 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of God" - Mutual submission is a result of being filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18). * Command: Eph 5:22/Col 3:18 Submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. * Extent: Eph 5:22/Col 3:18 "Your own husbands" - The command does not say all women are subject to all men. * Reason: As Christ is the Head of the Church, so the husband is the head of the wife. * 1 Cor 11:2-16 Head coverings were a way in which Corinthian Christian women were to demonstrate their submission to their own husband. * *Note to husbands: It is not our job to demand submission. Rarely (if ever) should you even mention your wife's need to submit to you (Mt 7:3-5). Instead, serve her in love as Christ served us. If we love her the way we ought to, her submission will be much easier. She needs to trust Christ in us. * What about to an unbelieving spouse? 1 Cor 7:12-16 Remain with him if he is willing, and God can use you to "sanctify him." 1 Pet 3:1 says that through your submission, your husband "without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste [respectful/pure] conduct accompanied by fear." Women in the Church * 1 Cor 14:34-36 Women should "keep silent" in church. Contrast 1 Cor 11:5 that assumes women will be praying and prophesying. Notice the context includes three commands for various parties to "be silent." (1) 1 Cor 14:28 One speaking in tongues must be silent if there is no interpreter. (2) 1 Cor 14:30 When weighing/evaluating those prophesying, two or three prophets should speak, and if another receives a revelation, the others should keep silent. (3) 1 Cor 14:34 In this context of dealing with the revelatory gifts of speaking in tongues and prophesy, Paul commands that women also should keep silent and are not permitted to speak. Notice that λαλέω is used through the passage exclusively of speaking in tongues and in prophesy (see purple highlights in ESV). Reason: 1 Cor 14:26, 33, 40 God is not a God of confusion. All things should be orderly and for edification. * 1 Tim 2:8-15 o Men should pray (1 Tim 2:8). o Women should adorn themselves with good works (1 Tim 2:9-10). o Women should learn quietly (1 Tim 2:11). What does this mean? 1 Tim 2:12 defines the sphere of quietness: teaching and exercising authority. According to verse 12, "to remain quiet" means not to teach or exercise authority over a man. o Reason: (1) Order of Creation, Adam was formed first; (2) Circumstances of the Fall, Eve was deceived into sin; Adam was not deceived. * 1 Tim 3:11 Translation of "women/wives." Some interpret it as "deaconesses." Women in Society * Government Offices: o Is 3:4, 12 Due to Israel's sin, Isaiah prophesied that there would be a dearth of leaders, resulting in children as leaders and women ruling over God's people. Women in office was seen in Isaiah as God's judgment on His people. o Judg 4-5 Deborah was an outstanding judge over Israel. * Workplace o 1 Tim 5:14 Young widows should remarry, have children, and manage their household. o Tit 2:3-5 Older women should teach younger women to love their husbands and children, homemakers/working at home (οἰκουργός). o Pr 31:10-31 The excellent wife is industrious. She provides for her family and manages her household. But she purchases a field and starts a business (vineyard) (Pr 31:16). She is importing her her food (Pr 31:14). Frequently Asked Questions * Hats in Church: https://www.gotquestions.org/hats-in-church.html * Head Coverings: https://www.gotquestions.org/head-coverings.html * Can Women Speak in Church?: https://www.gotquestions.org/women-silent-church.html * Can Women Serve in Government?: https://www.gotquestions.org/woman-president.html