One of the more relentless students of the history of women in ministry among evangelicals, and especially of the history of how egalitarians and complementarians have framed their arguments and used their terms, is Kevin Giles of Australia. Because of the social and ecclesial force among conservative evangelicals on the side of so-called “complementarians,” one would have to say Giles has to go on the defensive often just to clear up the argument. His most recent study is called “The Genesis of Confusion: How ‘Complementarians’ Have Corrupted Communication,”
Thanks, Scot, for filling us in on this paper from "Priscilla Papers." Language matters. Whodda thunk?
Labels are helpful because we need them to avoid entire paragraphs. Thus, "conservative" and "liberal" and many, many other single-word descriptors stand in for more lengthy (and, usually, more nuanced) descriptions. One can think of many other political, theological, and social "labels" that are created to, in a single word, create an emotional response. I still rather like a mantra of sorts that a Boston diocese used, a couple of decades ago, to work at tearing down these attempts: "Labels are for jars." (Implied: not for people.)
In this case, goodness! What an interesting and informative bit of history. Thanks again!
Great post, because of the “squirm” factor. As soon as you think you have found a term/terminology you like - squirm - it really doesn’t sound like true justice, or true equality, it’s just another label! BUT, does the squirming necessitate movement, or does that make us too serpent like?! 😩
It also does what you do for us - inspire conversation. How do we deal with the need/hunger for power? (Squirm-time)
How does “The Trinity”(God) help or hinder this? (Squirm-time)
Be an “editerian.” (Better, yet: a Commentarian, such as Scot McKnight, who guides/inspires us down the path.) Okay, perhaps, “A “Jesus’-Justice-Conversationalist“Here’s what I am ...”. And then the conversation, which will be abused in many cases, can create better understanding and behavior?
WHAT DID/WOULD JESUS DO?
I’m only playing a game in the sense of having fun in the serious endeavor we call Life.
Thanks, Scot, for filling us in on this paper from "Priscilla Papers." Language matters. Whodda thunk?
Labels are helpful because we need them to avoid entire paragraphs. Thus, "conservative" and "liberal" and many, many other single-word descriptors stand in for more lengthy (and, usually, more nuanced) descriptions. One can think of many other political, theological, and social "labels" that are created to, in a single word, create an emotional response. I still rather like a mantra of sorts that a Boston diocese used, a couple of decades ago, to work at tearing down these attempts: "Labels are for jars." (Implied: not for people.)
In this case, goodness! What an interesting and informative bit of history. Thanks again!
Thanks Jim.
Great post, because of the “squirm” factor. As soon as you think you have found a term/terminology you like - squirm - it really doesn’t sound like true justice, or true equality, it’s just another label! BUT, does the squirming necessitate movement, or does that make us too serpent like?! 😩
It also does what you do for us - inspire conversation. How do we deal with the need/hunger for power? (Squirm-time)
How does “The Trinity”(God) help or hinder this? (Squirm-time)
Be an “editerian.” (Better, yet: a Commentarian, such as Scot McKnight, who guides/inspires us down the path.) Okay, perhaps, “A “Jesus’-Justice-Conversationalist“Here’s what I am ...”. And then the conversation, which will be abused in many cases, can create better understanding and behavior?
WHAT DID/WOULD JESUS DO?
I’m only playing a game in the sense of having fun in the serious endeavor we call Life.
Thank you, Scot! This is thought provoking!