The Gender Debate: Terms and Definitions

Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy, edited by Ronald W. Pierce, Rebecca Merrill Groothuis and Gordon Fee

progress: 151/507

I've been having a hard time deciding which words to use when writing about gender (did you know patriarchalism isn't listed in the Oxford Dictionary?), so I thought it might be worth defining a few terms here as one (final!) aside before we jump right into this meaty book.

Two Convictions
As a starting point, the book emphasizes the two convictions which are the foundation of the book: "That the Bible is the fully inspired and authoritative Word of God, and that it teaches gender equality in church, home and society." (11) The first conviction I agree with wholeheartedly, and this is what makes me willing to hear and consider the arguments for the second conviction. The authors go to great pains in the introduction to the book to point out that their convictions are primarily biblical, rather than cultural, personal or societal (17).

Two Definitions

The authors offer two definitions for their viewpoint:

1. "The essential message of biblical equality is simple and straightfoward: Gender, in and of itself, neither privileges nor curtails one's ability to be used to advance the kingdom or to glorify God in any dimension of ministry, mission, society or family." (13)

2. "Egalitarianism recognizes patterns of authority in the family, church and society - it is not anarchistic - but rejects the notion that any office, ministry or opportunity should be denied anyone on the grounds of gender alone." (13) This position is based on the fact that men and women are equally

• made in the image of God
• fallen to sin
• redeemable by Christ
• participants in the new-covenant community
• heirs of God
• able to be filled and empowered by Holy Spirit (13-14; see the book for Scripture passages, which will mentioned in detail later in the book)

Clarfifying Terms
There are also quite a few terms used to express the two views on gender in the Church:

Male leadership is also referred to as patriarchy, hierarchy, headship, authority and tradition. This view "restricts women from full participation in certain ministries and decision-making responsibilities. The emphasis is on male leadership rather than shared leadership in the church and home." (15)

Gender equality is also known as evangelical feminism, egalitarianism and biblical equality.

Further, the authors note that both views have employed the term "complementarity," with the difference being in the implications of complementarity between the sexes. Thus, this word can offer some amount of common ground as a starting point for dialogue.

A Final Word on the Debate
"The debate between those who promote male leadership and those who promote gender equality cannot be rightly settled by name calling, issuing propaganda or evading this divisive issue. It can be approached with integrity only through careful scholarly investigation of what the Bible teaches about the nature, gifts and callings of women and men. To that end this book is offered." (17-18)