People of the Book
Pastor Dave Monreal, Lead Pastor
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason – for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves-I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.”
Martin Luther April 1521 at the Diet of Worms
We are people of the book. I was reminded of that over and over again as I attended General Council of the Christian and Missionary Alliance this past week. The Alliance is wrestling with several weighty theological issues such as how we define sanctification, if we want to remain premillennial, and if women can be ordained and carry the title of “pastor.” These are all very significant issues with serious ramifications regardless of which side the denomination eventually lands. Of the various issues that people were discussion, the roles of men and women in the church was by far the most talked about among the groups that I interacted with.
What has been most disconcerting in the discussions is that it has not started with a discussion of what the text of the Bible says, what it means, and how it applies. Over and over, I heard arguments based on circumstances or situations that women have faced because they are not ordained and do not carry the title of “pastor.” Historically, the Alliance has been complementarian. In other words, the position of the Alliance has been that all pastors are elders and that the terms are different ways of describing the same office along with the third term, overseer. The pastors/elders/overseers are the highest servant leaders in the church. (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5) Finally, that this office or role has been sovereignly ordained by God as the responsibility of men. Complementarians believe that the Bible teaches that God has given different roles to men and women in the church and in the family. That everyone is in their essence equal, but they have different functions and different roles.
Within the church, this means that only men can be pastors/elders and are given the responsibility of authoritative preaching and teaching within the context of the local church. (1 Timothy 2:12) Most roles in the church are open to both men and women but the responsibility for a few tasks has been placed upon the shoulders of men in general and the elders in particular.
Here is my concern, if the position that I hold regarding the roles of men and women is wrong then I need someone to show me from the text of Scripture and I will gladly change my position to one that is more biblical. But in over a dozen conversations I had this past week on the topic, what I heard were stories and hypothetical situations that would be alleviated if we would only allow women to be pastors. I was told that we are hindering women from reaching their full potential if we do not change our position. Stories of very gifted and competent women were held up to show how women are just as gifted as men for ministry. I was clear that I was not questioning the giftedness of women (or men) but rather in what sphere and in what roles should those gifts be exercised.
I asked them to please show me their position from the Scriptures. How do you explain the interchangeable language that Paul uses for shepherd (pastor), elder, and overseer in Acts 20 and Titus 1 and as Peter does as well in 1 Peter 5:1-5 (the passage we studied together on Sunday morning May 30th)? I ask them to help me understand the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:12. Why does Paul tie it back to Adam and Eve rather than a local situation if that was not meant to be a universal command?
If I have erred in my understanding and interpretation of Scripture, I am open for correction and I will immediately change my position. No one has 100% perfect theology, and no one has arrived at a place where they no longer need to learn and grow. Until I am convinced by Scripture and evident reason, I will continue to hold my position regardless of how unpopular it may become. Wherever the Alliance finally lands on this and other issues, may it be because we have studied the Book and have become convinced that this is what the sacred text really says and how God is genuinely instructing us. Anecdotes and stories may illustrate the teaching of the Bible, but it must never be a replacement for the Bible or the basis on which we change our doctrinal positions.
