David Gushee Challenges Complementarians to Keep True to Scripture

David Gushee, professor of Christian ethics at Mercer University, recently offered four questions as a challenge to keep complementarians true to Scripture.  While Dr. Gushee holds an egalitarian view, his article is presented with a commendable spirit of grace and kindness.  For example, he presents his questions "with respect for your view and a shared commitment to seeing it lived out in a way that upholds the dignity of women. I also do so knowing that egalitarian communities are also flawed and do not always live out the full meaning of their commitments." 

As a complementarian, I share Dr. Gushee's commitment to upholding the honor and dignity of women created in the image of God and appreciate his humble assessment of flaws in egalitarian communities.  But we talked about specks in another's eyes without checking for our own logs first.  We need to take to heart the helpful counsel written by David Powlison:

Fair-minded criticism is one of life's best pleasures, an acquired taste well worth the acquiring.  Someone who will take you seriously, understand you accurately, treat you charitably, and who then will lay it on the line is a messenger from God for your welfare (whether or not you end up completely agreeing).  There is nothing quite like being disagreed with intelligently, lovingly, and openly: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6).

There is always a temptation to dismiss a critical article out of hand, but before we make that mistake and set aside Gushee's editorial, Powlison would encourage us to ask, "Does this shoe fit?  Does this fit us in our lives and local churches in any way?"

So, for the benefit of complementarians and the good of the body of Christ, I encourage close consideration along the lines of Gushee's four questions, which are reprinted here in their entirety:

1. Are you successfully communicating to young men the conviction that a complementarian perspective must elevate rather than diminish the dignity of women, and therefore inculcating a moral commitment on their part to act accordingly?

2. Are you absolutely clear on which positions of Christian service (you believe) are barred to women?

3. Once you have determined what positions of Christian service are barred to women, you have therefore also determined which positions are permitted. Are you active in encouraging women to pursue the positions that are permitted?

4. When women occupy positions of church leadership that parallel those of men, are their positions named equally and are the individuals involved treated equally?

All men and women who hold to a complementarian position should be encouraged to careful self-examination with these questions.  First, if we understand from Genesis 1:27 that women are equal in value and dignity, do we teach that to young men?  Do we demonstrate that belief in our actions and words?  Is it evident in the life of our churches?

Second, do we have clear conviction from Scripture and wisdom about what positions in the church are reserved for men?  Do we fall into the temptation to hold women back from ministry positions not specifically addressed in the Word of God?  (Look to the upcoming Spring issue of JBMW for an article entitled "Women in Ministry" designed to help churches adopt and clearly communicate a biblical position on how women can serve.)

Third and Fourth, do we recognize that God is giving amazing gifts to the church through women and men, and are we encouraging all believers to biblically serve the body of Christ?  Are we making sure that women are represented in all ministries and public positions that are not reserved for men?  If not, we risk sending an unbiblical message to the world.

Finally, I believe a fifth question might be added to sum up most of these concerns:   Why do you believe men and women are equal in value and dignity but distinct in roles and function?  In other words, why do you hold a complementarian position?  Is it a habit based on your upbringing?  Is it part of your cultural heritage?  Does it just feel right, like broken-in running shoes?  Is it a selfish and sinful desire to dominate others?  Or is it your understanding from Scripture that this is God's loving design for His creation?

Only a biblically-based conviction will lead to a complementarian position that will stand up to Gushee's helpful questions.  We must understand that a woman's worth ultimately comes from bearing the image of her Creator, otherwise we will not consistently teach young men to respect women.  We will only teach husbands to love their wives if we are convicted that the marriage relationships reflects the love of Christ for the church.

I realize that complementarians are in a process of sanctification that will never be completed in this life, and it makes me long for heaven more and more.  Nevertheless, considering these questions can help us grow in obedience so that the truth of God's Word and the beauty of God's design can still be displayed in our homes and local churches.