Repeat: Read Sumner...

This is a repeat blog post- many of you are coming here looking for the latest discussion on Driscoll. I want to encourage you, whatever your position on women in leadership is- read Sarah Sumner's book. It has something in it for everyone :)

Scot McKnight is blogging Sarah Sumner's Men and Women in the Church

You really should read this book...

But start here with Scot's discussion (89 comments so far!!). And here.

Sumner's book (along with Webb) was instrumental in the discussion our elders had during the first year of evergreen's existence on the issue of women in leadership in the church (I know some of you reading this don't understand why this would be an issue... I'm sorry- I don't have time to explain it all right now, but it's NOT because the church is backwards and hates women... though that description does fit a good number of institutions). It really helped us to solidify our position.

So...Here's the deal- even if you think you have your position on women's roles in the churches all figured out and don't feel the need to do any reading on the subject, can I suggest that you read Sumner? A couple of reasons...

1. You probably never read a book on women's roles that was written by a woman who is at least twice as smart as you.
2. You probably never read a book on complementarianism/egalitarianism that took both to the woodshed
3. You don't have it nearly as figured out as you think you do...

So- read Sumner's book. If it doesn't change you at least you will be much, much more knowledgeable on the subject, and you'll understand where communities like evergreen are coming from when we say we really aren't either complementarian or egalitarian.

And if you won't read the book, at least read this post

Comments

[Rachel]

Bob, I am interested in how you define the middle path between complementarianism and egalitarianism. That is not a position I've heard articulated before.

As I see it, complementarians and egalitarians have in these things in common:
- both base their stance on their understanding of Scripture, which they view as authoritative
- both believe that men and women are equal in value before God
- both believe that men and women are different

However, complementarians believe that these differences mean that men and women should have specific prescribed gender roles and that women should not have authority in the church and home. Egalitarians believe that the differences between men and women mean that they should serve and lead side by side in the church and home, each contributing their unique strengths.

That is how I understand it anyhow. So how would you define this middle position? I know you are going to say read Dr. Sumner's book but could you summarize the middle position for me?

[lacey]

i too am curious to know where you stand, if you do not consider yourself one or the other. i tend to say that as well, but find myself unable to determine what the alternative is, other than just refusing a label, yet resonating with one more than the other.

[bob]

Yeah... I'm not ignoring these requests- just need to get some other stuff done. Check back tomorrow, if you would...

[starla]

I'll answer for you...

Rachel - Sumner's book is an easy read. I found the book quite fast. I don't really know if a summary will do it justice. She askes some really powerful questions that are quite humbling and have continued to make me think even now, nearly 2 years later.

If you email me your address off line, I'm more than happy to send the book to you. I just put it in deep storage to make room for legos.