May 21, 2011
The Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
In December, 1987, the newly-formed Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood met in Danvers, Massachusetts, to compose the Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Prior to the listing of the actual affirmations that comprise the Danvers Statement, we have included a section detailing contemporary developments that serve as the rationale for these affirmations. We offer this statement to the evangelical world, knowing that it will stimulate healthy discussion, hoping that it will gain widespread assent.
We have been moved in our purpose by the following contemporary developments which we observe with deep concern:
The widespread uncertainty and confusion in our culture regarding...Read More
by: Josh McPherson
| Categories: Gender Issues
May 20, 2011
Egalitarian Objection: You have left out the many and significant examples of female leadership in Israel, in the gospels, and in the early church. It simply is not correct to say that the Bible exhibits a uniform pattern of religious male leadership.
Complementarian Response: Yes, women do play significant religious, and at times leadership, roles throughout the Bible. But consider two things: ...Read More
by: Josh McPherson
| Categories: Gender Issues
May 19, 2011
Egalitarian Objection: This complementarian understanding is in reality a fully hierarchical view, with women subordinate to men, and as such it is intolerable and contrary to the freedom of the gospel. While it claims to uphold the essential equality of women with men, it in fact leads inevitably to seeing women as inferior, as second-class citizens, who are not as important to God and His purposes as are men.
Complementarian Response: Would you feel the same way...Read More
by: Josh McPherson
| Categories: Gender Issues
May 19, 2011
Egalitarian Objection: Your use of "male headship" and your reference to passages like 1 Cor. 11:3 and Eph. 5:23 where "head" (kephale) is used, does not recognize the meaning of this term as "source." Understood this way, the Bible does not envision man as authority over woman, but source of her, since Eve came from Adam.
Complementarian Response: For lexical and exegetical reasons, this understanding of kephale is completely unacceptable. The strongest lexical evidence suggests ...Read More
by: Josh McPherson
| Categories: Gender Issues
