"According to Calvin’s argument, and sadly, some modern authors, God used a woman because there were no men who stepped up and took responsibility and leadership. If only men were stronger, more responsible, and more willing to follow God in leadership in their design."
I grew up on the mission field with men who said something along those lines.. However, the majority of the single missionaries coming down were women. I observed this frequently and it bothered me as a child.
I couldn't understand why the men would say things like, "Oh, women aren't supposed to teach" but then they would allow their single female counterparts to preach if there was "an emergency" and there were no other men to do it. Were we not in the greatest emergency ever? Did the world not need the saving knowledge of Jesus? Who cared who was preaching?
First off I have to say I’m sorry Rachel. While not to you directly, I was one of those people who thought that. Little did I realize the biases and blind spots I was living in. Little did I realize the ripple effect or consequences of such teachings. How demoralizing and confusing it must have been to hear such things.
It is amusing to me now to think how often it has been, and is, taught that men are the initiators and leaders. Women are the nurturers and supporters. And yet, like you say, most missionaries are women! They are initiating. And then once the church is established then we come in and say, “Well the leaders need to be men.” 🤦♂️
And you are so right. The world needs the beautiful and freeing love of Jesus. Who cares who brings it.
I love Paul in Philippians 1:15-18. Some are preaching out of selfish motives and his response is, “Who cares. Jesus is preached. Period.” (My paraphrase 😬) What a heart!
Tim, thanks so much for saying that. There's so much that I've unraveled as I've grown older and sometimes it's hard to forgive the men who taught me back at the beginning of all the knots. Sometimes it's hard to read those older church fathers, too. Hearing someone apologize for it (even it's just virtual) is very healing and very kind. Thank you.
I completely agree about women initiating! In my experience, both genders have such capacity for both leading and nurturing. And it is incredible to watch a man or woman grow into both. When we restrict each other to these "roles", I think we are often sadly restricting the work the Spirit might do through us, too.
Thanks for writing this! I think I might put that Pauline paraphrase on a notecard.
"According to Calvin’s argument, and sadly, some modern authors, God used a woman because there were no men who stepped up and took responsibility and leadership. If only men were stronger, more responsible, and more willing to follow God in leadership in their design."
I grew up on the mission field with men who said something along those lines.. However, the majority of the single missionaries coming down were women. I observed this frequently and it bothered me as a child.
I couldn't understand why the men would say things like, "Oh, women aren't supposed to teach" but then they would allow their single female counterparts to preach if there was "an emergency" and there were no other men to do it. Were we not in the greatest emergency ever? Did the world not need the saving knowledge of Jesus? Who cared who was preaching?
First off I have to say I’m sorry Rachel. While not to you directly, I was one of those people who thought that. Little did I realize the biases and blind spots I was living in. Little did I realize the ripple effect or consequences of such teachings. How demoralizing and confusing it must have been to hear such things.
It is amusing to me now to think how often it has been, and is, taught that men are the initiators and leaders. Women are the nurturers and supporters. And yet, like you say, most missionaries are women! They are initiating. And then once the church is established then we come in and say, “Well the leaders need to be men.” 🤦♂️
And you are so right. The world needs the beautiful and freeing love of Jesus. Who cares who brings it.
I love Paul in Philippians 1:15-18. Some are preaching out of selfish motives and his response is, “Who cares. Jesus is preached. Period.” (My paraphrase 😬) What a heart!
Tim, thanks so much for saying that. There's so much that I've unraveled as I've grown older and sometimes it's hard to forgive the men who taught me back at the beginning of all the knots. Sometimes it's hard to read those older church fathers, too. Hearing someone apologize for it (even it's just virtual) is very healing and very kind. Thank you.
I completely agree about women initiating! In my experience, both genders have such capacity for both leading and nurturing. And it is incredible to watch a man or woman grow into both. When we restrict each other to these "roles", I think we are often sadly restricting the work the Spirit might do through us, too.
Thanks for writing this! I think I might put that Pauline paraphrase on a notecard.