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Okay, let's talk about tradition. A legit concern. (this is the kind of thing Anglicans talk about and Baptist talk about less but they should talk about it more honestly, so let's do).
A thread.
A thread.
So to begin, let's look at a major argument *against* women serving as pastors/priests in the church in the tradition.
Let's roll the tape:
"Women are unstable, prone to error, and mean-spirited"- Epiphanius of Salamis, 4th c.
Let's roll the tape:
"Women are unstable, prone to error, and mean-spirited"- Epiphanius of Salamis, 4th c.
"Woman who was of small intelligence and who perhaps still lives more in accordance with the promptings of the inferior flesh..."Augustine (named my son after him) 5c.
"But woman is naturally of less...dignity than man." Aquinas 13c
This kind of thing is very, very widespread.
"But woman is naturally of less...dignity than man." Aquinas 13c
This kind of thing is very, very widespread.
The dominant reasoning behind the subjugation of women prior to the 19th century was the idea of the *ontological inferiority* of women--we are *less in the image of God,* more prone to sin, stupid, etc. So we can't be in persona Christi or lead others b/c we are inferior beings.
Okay so to be clear: This is NOT the dominant complementarian argument today. In fact, most would say very clearly that they affirm that women are *equal in worth* but differ in role. But, to also be clear, this is a *new* argument, not "traditional." **
So the *complementarian argument of today is NOT traditional* unless y'all want to argue that women are ontologically inferior, less in the image of God & incapable of rationality (this last one will be hard now that we have wide-spread education and turns out, women are smart).
But the other question we must ask is: Whose Tradition? (which rationality?-bonus points if you get this reference).
Because though this was a dominant & widespread argument, there was also *in the tradition* always counter-narratives. So let's talk about 'em:
Because though this was a dominant & widespread argument, there was also *in the tradition* always counter-narratives. So let's talk about 'em:
Until about the 11th c. (& the clerical reforms of Pope Gregory the 7th) women served in many ways we associate with priestly ministry--including teaching, preaching, & serving the table.
There are at least five documented women episcopae in the early medieval church.
There are at least five documented women episcopae in the early medieval church.
These women were quite explicitly charged with, at a minimum, oversight of churches, both the upkeep of the building and the doctrine/discipline of the clergy in the church.
Abbesses oversaw double monasteries—in charge of both male & female monks (& they took confessions!)
Abbesses oversaw double monasteries—in charge of both male & female monks (& they took confessions!)
We have historic evidence of Martia the presbyter (preacher/pastor) co-celebrating the Eucharist.
Hildegard of Bingen went on several preaching tours! ***
Hildegard of Bingen went on several preaching tours! ***
I could go on and on with historic examples. There is wide attestation to women--with literary & artifactual evidence- of women serving the church in leadership roles til 11c.
So there has long been a minority but not-wildly-rare witness of female leadership *in the tradition.*
So there has long been a minority but not-wildly-rare witness of female leadership *in the tradition.*
But this doesn't even get into the *tradition's* reverencing of *leadership* of the many women in scripture. Especially Mary Magdalene, who is said to have preached the gospel to the emperor in Rome before her death (& did miracles as part of the sermon...)
Or all the martyrdom accounts of women preaching & having visions like St. Thecla who preached to men, was an apostle, and preached the gospel to the the officials sentencing her to death. (shout out to Perpetua & Felicity)
So we do need to take the tradition seriously. But the tradition is *complicated.* Women have always been preaching & teaching & even--there's evidence--celebrating. And no one--complementarians included--are making the "traditional" anti-WO arguments.
We all know the gospel today in part because of the dogged and determined ministry of women. Thanks be to God!
** footnote: William Witt writes on this...Here is his great book! Buy it: amazon.com/Icons-Christ-B…]
***footnote: can read on this here: global.oup.com/academic/produ…
And here @bethallisonbarr's book: amazon.com/Making-Biblica…
And my essay on egalitarianism in @KSPrior & Josh Chatraw's book:
amazon.com/Cultural-Engag…)
And here @bethallisonbarr's book: amazon.com/Making-Biblica…
And my essay on egalitarianism in @KSPrior & Josh Chatraw's book:
amazon.com/Cultural-Engag…)
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