Together for the Gospel Article XVI and My Opinion

Three Affirmations:
1. We affirm that Scripture reveals a pattern of complementary order between men and women, and that this order is itself a testimony to the Gospel even as it is a gift from our Creator and Redeemer.

Yes, Scripture does affirm complimentary order role distinctions that are a testimony to the Gospel. Just as the church should willingly submit to the headship of Christ, just as Christ DID willingly submit to the will of the Heavenly Father because the head of Christ is God, just as the head of every man is Christ, the head of every woman is man (her husband if married, her earthly father if single, the leading men of the church if a widow or single young woman without an earthly father),... do you see the submission pattern here? It is God's design since creation and thus should be adhered to for the glory of God out of willing obedience to His Word. It is my God-given responsibility to adhere to this design... God's design, for the sake of the Gospel. The testimony of the Gospel, of which Christ's example of willing submission to God's will, is my ultimate example as a woman to be in willing and joyful submission to my God-ordained role within the standards of Biblical womanhood.

2. We also affirm that all Christians are called into service within the body of Christ and that God has given to both men and women important and strategic roles within the home, the church, and the society.

I love this section. It refutes the erroneous justification of this being an oppressive view. Man and woman's roles are distinct, they are scripturally clear, they are BOTH important and BOTH strategic within the 3 areas that we are called to as God's children to minister to others ... home, church, society. This breif affirmation accurately communicates these roles as mutually dependent and are not based on opinion, or tradition, but God's orderly and perfect design. In John Piper's book, What's the Difference?, He has a huge list of ministry opportunities available to woman that maintain God's perfect design. Piper says not to "measure your potential by the few roles withheld, but by the countless roles offered."

3. We furthur affirm that the teaching office of the church is assigned only to those men who are called of God in fulfillment of the Biblical teachings and that men are to lead in their home as husbands and fathers who fear and love God.

There are alot of men and women that jump into leadership role ministries that they should not be in. Even in Biblically acceptable ministries, women have failed to seek the Lord and His wisdom before jumping into some sort of "ministry opportunity" where there truly is a great need. I have done it. I have failed to pray, I have failed to seek my husbands guidance and discernment, I have failed to measure it against the Word of God. And I do not think I need to go into details about the heart results. Except to say that sometimes the results appeared good, but the motive was not, nor were the means by which the ministry was pursued. The Egalitarians model fails to seek to measure church headship roles against the Word of God. They muddy Scripture and justify the muddying of what is clear by saying things like "all such role distinctions are clearly cultural and not for today." "Only to those men who are called" is key here when talking of leadership roles in the church where men are to teach and preach over mixed groups. Women are not called to be pastors and teachers over men. Something I have addressed already here and in several other posts that you can easily find in my archives. (see below for a Scripture based answer to the question, "How does this article bring men and women together for the Gospel")

Three denials:
1. We deny that the distinctions of roles between men and women revealed in the Bible is evidence of mere cultural condtioning or a manifestation of male oppression or prejudice against women.

I will begin by saying, I, as a woman that embraces Biblical womanhood though my flesh wars against it, find great freedom in this God-ordained role. The only time I do not rest in the freedom found in God's complimentary design is when I turn my eyes away from the mirror of God's Word and fail to renew my mind through out the day with His truth. Oppression and prejudice is man's failure and it is sin . When this is done, it grieves the Lord because it goes against His design. Go to THIS LINK to read a post I previously wrote that already addressed this issue.

2. We also deny that this Biblical distinction of roles excludes women from meaningful ministry in Christ's kingdom.

This actually goes along with the affirmation #2 above. Remember Piper's quote: Do not "measure your potential by the few roles withheld, but by the countless roles offered."

3. We furthur deny that any church can confuse these issues without damagaing its witness to the Gospel.

"Today, by the contoversy over manhood and womanhod, God is testing all of his people, all of His churches. The egalitarian alternative would be so easy to adopt in today's culture, and it can appear on the surface to make so little difference. But will we remain faithful to the Word of God?" (Grudem) That is it right there... it boils down to faithful obedience and submission to the will of God within His perfect design. This is not legalism. This is an opportunity to glorify God by joyfully submitting to His authority.

VALID QUESTION: Why is it necessary for the T4G statement to include an article that prohibts women from pulpit ministry?
Part of Article XVI states, "We further affirm that the teaching office of the church is assigned only to those men who are called of God in fulfillment of the biblical teachings."
How does this article bring Men and Women together for the Gospel?

SCRIPTURAL ANSWER: Article XVI is an essential issue. I agree that we CANNOT confuse or muddy this issue as a church for it will damage the witness of the Gospel. It matters greatly. For when we confuse such essentials, we open ourselves up to even more deception. Scripture alone must decide this issue, not experience. "Paul makes it very clear in 1 Corinthians 14:34 and 1 Timothy 2:12 that with regard to "speaking forth the Word of God" (i.e. prophesy), the women were to remain silent, not because of inferiority, but rather because of God's directives. As witnesses and ambassadors of Christ, every man and woman is called and free to pray for and speak forth the Word of God to others. The woman is not to assume a leadership role in this endeavor, but is to speak the truth of the gospel. However, when in the context of the corporate gathering of the church to worship, women are not to exceed the boundaries of God's revealed will and express a proper sense of honorable and biblical submission, remaining quiet in the churches (1 Corinthians 14:34), not teaching or exercising authority over the men (1 Timothy 2:12). In the context of the church gathered, women are free to teach the other women and children (1 Timothy 5:15l Titus 2:3-4). "---Ed Godfrey
What a great opportunity to come together to encourage one another on essential issues that call for simple obedience to the Word of God. "God has allowed this contoversy into the church to test our hearts. Will we be faithful to Him and obey His Word or not?" (Grudem)

The Together for the Gospel's full statement is at THIS LINK.

Go to this link for a faithful Berean-style post and comments called T4G Statement: In Essentials, Unity

Feel free to comment within the bounds of the 5 rules of engagement. Whether you agree or disagree, this will serve the purpose of helping me defend what I believe and why for the glory of God. If you feel my comments are weak, do not hesitate to give your input. I love constructive-criticism.