Appendix B: Women in Ministry: The Genuine Debate

The Complementarian Position

The complementarian position holds that the New Testament restricts the office of elder/pastor to men while affirming the full equal dignity and spiritual gifting of women. Key texts:

• 1 Timothy 2:12-14 - "I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve." Complementarians read this as a timeless command rooted in creation order.
• 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 - "Women should remain silent in the churches." Interpreted as referring to authoritative teaching, not all speech.
• 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 - Elder/overseer qualifications refer to "the husband of one wife," taken as implying male leadership.
• Ephesians 5:22-33 - Husband/wife headship structure used as a model for church leadership structure.

Key advocates: John Piper, Wayne Grudem, Thomas Schreiner. Primary organization: The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (cbmw.org).

The Egalitarian Position

The egalitarian position holds that the gospel abolishes gender-based restrictions on ministry roles and that the restriction passages are culturally specific. Key texts:

• Galatians 3:28 - "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Egalitarians read this as abolishing role distinctions in the body of Christ.
• Romans 16:1-7 - Phoebe described as a deacon; Junia described as "outstanding among the apostles."
• Acts 18:26 - Priscilla (named first) teaches Apollos.
• Acts 21:9 - Philip's four daughters who prophesied.
• Joel 2:28-29 / Acts 2:17-18 - "Your sons and daughters will prophesy."

Key advocates: N.T. Wright, Gordon Fee, Scot McKnight. Primary organization: Christians for Biblical Equality (cbeinternational.org).

The Disciple's Posture

Both positions are held by serious biblical scholars who are committed to the full authority of Scripture. Neither position should be treated as outside the faith. The disciple holds their position with genuine conviction and genuine humility - knowing why they hold it, knowing the strongest arguments for the other position, and communicating to everyone in the conversation that their reading of Scripture is taken seriously. The stumbling block is not the position. It is the contempt for the other position that makes the conversation impossible.

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