I had a surreal moment this morning when I realized that sometimes as a conservative biblical egalitarian I feel like I have more in common with the Christian patriarchlists whose work I’ve been picking apart and publicly refuting for the past fifteen years than the Christian egalitarians I should be able to relate to.
Yes, really. Crazy to think about, isn’t it?
While I may vehemently disagree with the conclusions the Christian patriarchalists come to, they believe that the arguments regarding how women function in the church begin and end with the Scriptures.
As do I.
I can’t even follow the discussions of many “Christian” egalitarians any longer. Whenever I stop by Facebook groups or some websites to read, my head nearly explodes with the flat out heresy that is completely given a pass. In a misguided attempt to be compassionate and non-judgmental, all kinds of blatantly unbiblical discussion is allowed to go unchallenged. I finally had to stop going to such places because it is so distressing.
The sad part is that the Bible is not the final authority in matters of faith for many Christian egalitarians. It is about feminist ideology, social constructs, progressive politics, and psychology.
It’s not about what the Bible says when carefully interpreted according to the author’s original intent and the culture in which the recipients lived. It’s about being relevant in current cultural conversations and movements.
It’s the Bible + a lot of other things.
And it makes me profoundly sad.
For me, this question of women functioning in the body of Christ has always been about understanding the truth from Scriptures. What is going on in the culture can never answer that question. It is sobering to see so many people going completely off the rails. Instead of being Bereans and trusting God can adequately answer their questions through the Word, they look for anything and everything that will give them the answers they want to hear.
The Bible has the answers to the questions about how men and women should love and serve each other. It’s sad to see people think that it’s not enough.
Is There a Place for Conservative Biblical Egalitarians?
Your experience resonates with mine. Far too many egals are not committed to being biblical.
Thanks, Timothy, for taking the time to respond. I believe there are many of us who have similar experiences. We’re just not always sure how and where to voice our concerns. 🙂
This article totally resonates with me. While initially there were some items I have been in agreement with these ladies, especially when they discuss patriarchy or spiritual abuse in church, most of what they have verbalizing lately is horrifying to me. I can’t support the extreme social justice positions they take, plus their man-hating vitriol is just over the top. Glad to know others feel the same!
Hi Sue! Yes, the vitriol toward men is one of the reasons I do not embrace the term feminist, even Christian feminist. Feminism also often seeks to elevate the cause of women at the expense of men and as a Christian I cannot support that either. Thanks for the comment!
I feel much the same way. I like how you describe yourself as a conservative biblical egalitarian–that’s how I would characterize my own view as well. Yet I often find I have more in common with complementarians than with other egalitarians because of my view of Scripture and the authority of the Bible. It’s frustrating, honestly. Glad to have found you via Wade’s blog.
Hi Leigh!
Welcome! I’m glad to find another woman with similar views. I truly believe there are many of us out there. We just need to find each other! I also believe there are many more who would be in the same camp if they allowed themselves to really study to understand that the freedom offered outside of complementarianism is true.
Sallie
I agree completely!
Hah, I just invited you and now I see that you likely will not join. Believe me, I get it. I have been thinking that I would love to see a Facebook group that is for those who hold a Conservative Biblical Egalitarian position and just want to discuss Scripture, truth, how to live out our faith from that platform. I don’t want to simply argue about how the ‘other side’ is wrong incessantly. That has been helpful to me as I’ve worked through the questions that I have related to such ideas but (is egalitarian thinking biblical???) but now I just want to move on to how to live in this and spread life, light and the truth of Christ.
In that vein, I think it would be incredibly helpful to have a group that fits the above description. Would anyone here join?
Hi Danielle,
I did respond to your other comment, but I will here too. I quit Facebook a few months ago to quiet and simplify my life. I found Facebook too divisive and stressful on pretty much every front so I left. I am devoting my time to my main site (SallieBorrink.com) and this one as I am able.
I love to talk about these topics and welcome conversations on any of the posts. I decided to limit my discussion on these topics to my own site where I can keep very specific parameters since the big topic of egalitarianism seems to morph to include so many other topics that I don’t feel called to write about.
Sallie
I really appreciate and respect that reasoning. Thank you for your response and for all the posts you have put up.
I am a very recent convert to Egalitarian thinking and have been on a difficult journey to get here. Finding a conservative approach is a real blessing The Spirit has guided me all through the process but I have needed to do a great deal of discerning.
I have felt a call to write on these topics from a more moderate perspective but I am not quite there as yet. I am still learning and growing but have been collecting a great many thoughts along the way I will look forward to reading much of what you are sharing Thank you for your work and may the Lord richly bless you.
Hi Sallie!
I love how you describe yourself as a conservative biblical egalitarian! A friend of mine once remarked to me: “You’re too conservative to be an Egalitarian. For you, the buck stops with the Bible on everything!”
Get your head around that one..
Love your website by the way… glad I’m not the only ‘oxymoron’ out there! 😉
Regards,
Emma UK