Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Word According To Eve




The Word According To Eve: Women and the Bible in Ancient Times and Our Own by Cullen Murphy

Put this book on your "must read" list. If you need convincing, read the editorial and reader reviews at Amazon.com via the above link. Every good thing they say about this book is absolutely true.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A Quiz For Complementarians


Where "the rubber meets the road" when it comes to "Egalitarianism" and "Complementarianism" (aka "Male Hierarchism") is what females (versus males) are able or permitted to do or not do in the church as members of the Body of Christ.

Following is a list (primarily taken from Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12, and Romans 12) of roles or offices or operations or Spirit-given gifts that function in the church structure or meetings:
  1. Overseer/Bishop (ἐπίσκοπος)
  2. Elder (πρεσβύτερος)
  3. Deacon (διάκονος)
  4. Apostle (ἀπόστολος)
  5. Prophet (προφήτης)
  6. Evangelist (εὐαγγελιστής)
  7. Pastor (ποιμήν)
  8. Teacher (διδάσκαλος)
  9. Giver of Word of Wisdom (λόγος σοφίας)
  10. Giver of Word of Knowledge (λόγος γνώσεως)
  11. Exerciser of Faith (πίστις)
  12. Gifted Healer (χαρίσματα ἰαμάτων)
  13. Worker of Miracles (ἐνεργήματα δυνάμεων)
  14. Prophesier (προφητεία)
  15. Discerner of Spirits (διακρίσεις πνευμάτων)
  16. Glossolalist (ἑτέρῳ γένη γλωσσῶν)
  17. Interpreter of Glossolalia (ἑρμηνεία γλωσσῶν)
  18. Helper (ἀντίλημψις)
  19. Administrator (κυβέρνησις)
  20. Exhorter (παρακαλέω)
  21. Giver (μεταδίδωμι)
  22. Leader (προΐστημι)
  23. Mercy-showing (ἐλεάω)
I. Which of the above can be filled/held/done by either sex:
  • For any that can be filled/held/done by either sex, also list any required or necessary restriction(s) for females in those roles/operations (versus no such restriction(s) for males in that same role/operation), and the reasons for those restrictions.
  • For any that can be filled/held/done by either sex, also list any required or necessary restriction(s) for males in those roles/operations (versus no such restriction(s) for females in that same role/operation), and the reasons for those restrictions.
II. Which of the above can be filled/held/done only by males? Explain why they can only be done by males.

III. Which of the above can be filled/held/done only by females? Explain why they can only be done by females.
Again: Please be sure to give the "why" for any answer!