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Biblical Studies and the Gender Question in the Church

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Submitted By blisbell
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Bradley Isbell

Doctor James Strange

Life and Letters of Paul

5.6.2010

Biblical Studies and the Gender Question in the Church

The role of gender in the church is one of the toughest issues facing the church-body today. In fact, the role of women in all parts of society has come under scrutiny over the years. Concern and sharp disagreements across the globe are shedding light on the role women should play, do play, and are restricted from playing in the church. Many answers have emerged but no definitive conclusions have come to the surface. This is in part due to the apparent conflicting evidence that we see in biblical texts. It seems that everyone has an opinion on what it actually says.
While some churches whose traditions and practices are less rigidly tied to Biblical doctrines have begun placing women in leadership positions such as pastor or teachers, others that interpret the Bible more literally have been slow to adopt changes. The opposing egalitarian and complementarian views on gender illustrated by the following interpretations can be attributed to differing approaches to exegetical techniques, hermeneutical principles, outside authorities, and contrasting ideas on authenticity both literal and situation-specific in scripture. These ideas will be explored a bit later. To begin our discussion we need a general explanation of what is meant by an egalitarian or complementarian view. Egalitarianism is a moral code that holds that everyone should be treated equally. People are equal in fundamental worth and moral status within an egalitarian view. Christian egalitarianism holds that all are equal before God and Christ. We all have a responsibility and right to use our individual gifts for the glory of God. God calls all regardless of distinction. Complementarianism holds that “God has created men and women equal in their essential

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