Christian egalitarianism: Difference between revisions
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The opposing view is [[Complementarianism]], a theological view held by some Christians that differing, non-overlapping roles between men and women, manifested in marriage, church leadership, and elsewhere, is biblically required. |
The opposing view is [[Complementarianism]], a theological view held by some Christians that differing, non-overlapping roles between men and women, manifested in marriage, church leadership, and elsewhere, is biblically required. |
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== History == |
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{{POV-section|date=February 2008}} |
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{{Original research|date=February 2008}} |
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Various interpretations of the Bible since the founding of Christianity have been used to justify unequal treatment of humans based on gender, race, religion, social status, and other distinctions. This has included human slavery, racial segregation, and the oppression of women both inside and outside of marriage."<ref>http://www.faithinamerica.info/newSite/ —Rev. R. Furman, D.D., Baptist, of South Carolina</ref> |
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From the founding of the US until the [[Emancipation Proclamation]], [[slavery]] was "justified" primarily on the basis of many passages in the Hebrew Scriptures ([[Old Testament]]), largely in the [[Pentateuch]] — its first five books. Many practicing Protestant and Catholic American slave owners either believed or rationalized that they were carrying out God's plan by buying and using slaves.<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_slav1.htm#bib Using the Bible to justify slavery. Slavery in the Bible and early Christianity<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> A prominent preacher in the 19th century said, "The right of holding slaves is clearly established in the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and example."<ref>http://www.faithinamerica.info/newSite/ —Rev. R. Furman, D.D., Baptist, of South Carolina</ref> As recently as [[1866]], the Holy Office of the Vatican issued a statement in support of slavery, stating that "Slavery itself…is not at all contrary to the natural and divine law…." In 1917, the Roman Catholic church's Canon Law expanded to declare that "selling a human being into slavery or for any other evil purpose" is a crime.<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_slav2.htm The final abolition of slavery in Christianity lands<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Methodism|Methodist]] and [[Baptist]] denominations were among those that split over the issue of slavery in the last half of the nineteenth century. It was 1995 before the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], the world's largest Protestant denomination, formally renounced its racist roots and apologized for its past defense of slavery.<ref>www.christiancentury.org/ ''Christian Century,'' July 5, 1995.</ref> |
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For the first 19 or 20 centuries after the [[Resurrection]] and [[Ascension of Christ]] (according to Christian belief), institutionalized Christianity has been unfavorable to women in several respects. It has prescribed a gender-based hierarchy that places woman under man's authority in the church (and often elsewhere). It has assigned leadership and control to the husband in [[Christian views of marriage|Christian marriage]]. Women have been commanded by pastors and priests to submit to men's authority in the church and in marriage. They have been excluded from church leadership that gives women any kind of authority over men. Some of the same logic that was used by the church to justify slavery and segregation on the basis of scripture is still being used today to justify discrimination against women, particularly in marriage and in the church. |
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While attempts to justify racial [[discrimination]] on the basis of scripture have largely vanished from Christianity, few church groups (other than the Quakers) extended egalitarianism to gender prior to the 1970s. Today the two major contrasting views are known as the [[Complementarian]] and '''Christian Egalitarian''' views of women and men. It is interesting that the centuries-old secular [[egalitarianism]] philosophical moral doctrine has ''roots'' in Christianity's historic belief: |
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:* that both women and men were created in the living image of God ([[Imago Dei]]) |
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:* that God loves all people equally, irrespective of their individual differences in gender, race, status, position, etc.<ref name="Stanford"> {{cite web|url=http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/egalitarianism/ |title=Egalitarianism |accessdate=2007-02-10 |last=Arneson |first=Richard |date=2002-08-16 |work=The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2003 Edition)}}</ref> |
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== Biblical foundations == |
== Biblical foundations == |
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Revision as of 20:49, 12 February 2008
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Christian Egalitarianism (derived from the French word égal, meaning equal or level), also known as biblical equality, is a recent adaptation of the historic moral doctrine of Egalitarianism which holds that people should be treated as equals. Ultimately, Egalitarianism holds that all human persons are equal in fundamental worth and moral status.
Christian Egalitarianism holds that all people are equal before God and in Christ. All have equal responsibility to use their gifts and obey their calling to the glory of God. God freely calls believers to roles and ministries without regard to class, gender, or race.[1]
According to Christian Egalitarianism, gender equality in Christian church leadership (including pastors) and in Christian marriage is biblically sound. Its theological foundations are interpretations of the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and other New Testament principles. It refers to the biblically-based belief that gender, in and of itself, neither privileges nor curtails a believer’s gifting or calling to any ministry in the church or home. It does not imply that women and men are identical or undifferentiated. Christian Egalitarianism affirms that God designed men and women to complement and benefit one another.[2]
The opposing view is Complementarianism, a theological view held by some Christians that differing, non-overlapping roles between men and women, manifested in marriage, church leadership, and elsewhere, is biblically required.
Biblical foundations
Christian Egalitarians' interpretation of scriptures and spiritual convictions bring them to the conclusion that the manner and teaching of Jesus abolished discrimination against racial minorities, slaves, and women, in both the church and marriage. That notion is believed to be affirmed by the Apostle Paul when he forbade such discrimination by the authority of Jesus Christ:[citation needed]
'There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus'
— Galatians 3:28
Jesus did not conform to a mentality unfavorable to women, but reacted against inequalities based on sexual differences.[3] By calling women to follow him he showed that he went beyond the customs and outlook of his environment.[4]
Illustrative of efforts to institutionalize this notion are these excerpts from the organizational Statement of Faith of a current Christian organization:
- We believe in the equality and essential dignity of men and women of all ethnicities, ages, and classes. We recognize that all persons are made in the image of God and are to reflect that image in the community of believers, in the home, and in society.
- We believe that men and women are to diligently develop and use their God-given gifts for the good of the home, church and society.[5]
Prominent Christian egalitarians
- Paul King Jewett, author of Man as Male and Female (1975) and The Ordination of Women (1980)
- William J. Webb, author of Slaves, Women and Homosexuals (2001)
- Stanley Grenz, author of Women in the Church (1995)
- Gordon Fee, contributing editor to Discovering Biblical Equality (2004)
- Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, co-editor of Discovering Biblical Equality (2004); author of Good News for Women (1996) and Women Caught in the Conflict (1997)
- Mary J. Evans, author of Woman in the Bible (1984) and co-editor of The IVP Women's Bible Commentary (2002)
- Catherine Clark Kroeger, co-founder of CBE; co-editor of The IVP Women's Bible Commentary (2002); co-author of Women, Abuse and the Bible (1996), I suffer not a Woman (1998)
- Gilbert Bilezikian, author of Beyond Sex Roles (1985)
- Ruth A. Tucker, co-author of Daughters of the Church (1987)
- Aida Besançon Spencer, author of Beyond the Curse - Women called to ministry (1985)
- Linda Belleville, author of Women Leaders and the Church (2000)
- Craig S. Keener, author of Paul, Women and Wives (1992)
References
- ^ Padgett, Alan G. "What Is Biblical Equality?" Priscilla Papers, Summer 2002: 16:3 Padgett is professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.
- ^ Groothuis, Rebecca Merrill. "The Bible and Gender Equality." [www.cbeinternational.org Christians for Biblical Equality Web site]
- ^ Stagg, Evelyn and Frank. Woman in the World of Jesus. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1978
- ^ Women and the Ministerial Priesthood
- ^ "Statement of Faith". Christians for Biblical Equality. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
See also:
- Complementarianism
- Christians for Biblical Equality an egalitarian organization
- Evangelical and Ecumenical Women’s Caucus
- Christian views about women
- Christian views of marriage