The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the writer do not necessarily reflect those of the Asbury Collegian or its staff members.
Which is higher, the infinite wisdom of God or fallible human reasoning? Far too often, we rely on our logic rather than the Word of God.
On Friday, Jan. 21, Dr. Beth Barr’s chapel message argued that complementarianism is oppressive toward women due to her stance on the ‘harmfulness’ of patriarchy.
Complementarianism believes that men and women are created equal but with different roles. Galatians 3:28 (ESV) says, “There is…no male and female, for you, are all one in Christ Jesus.” Both genders are equal in Christ, but according to complementarians, this does not mean that men and women have the same roles within the church and family.
Barr spent a large portion of her message discussing Christine de Pizan, a medieval writer who, although inspiring, has nothing to do with Barr’s argument against the biblicality of “biblical womanhood.”
The next portion of her message was on Genesis 16, in which Hagar flees to the desert after being mistreated by Sarai and has an encounter with God. Barr explained that this passage speaks against the abuse of women. God saw this mistreated servant and made her a promise concerning the son in her womb.
Indeed, I think every Christian would agree that abuse of women, or anyone, is evil. The New Testament makes this clear. God tells husbands to love their wives, even as Christ loved the church and sacrificed Himself for it in Ephesians 5:25. This is right after God tells wives to submit to their husbands, just as the church submits to Christ in that same chapter.
However, Barr missed some important points in the Genesis passage. She ignored Genesis 16:9, where the angel of the LORD commands Hagar to “return to your mistress and submit to her” and the fact that the “blessing” stated that Ishmael would be a wild donkey of a man with his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him (16:12).
Nonetheless, I believe she is accurate in her statements that God sympathizes with the plight of the unfortunate.
But here is where Barr stopped using the Bible and started relying exclusively on her own logic. She argued that the church has succumbed to the “sin of patriarchy” and become “complicit in the oppression of women” under the guise of “biblical womanhood” and complementarianism.
She said, “If men simply, because of their sex, have the potential to preach and exercise spiritual authority over the church congregation, but women, simply because of their sex, do not, then that gives all men power over all women.” Barr was using her reasoning and ignoring all the relevant Scripture.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 says, “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.” This passage is in the context of commands for orderly church worship. Some argue that this is directed toward the Corinthian church, but the preceding verse states, “as in all the churches of the saints.”
Furthermore, Paul makes no appeal in these verses to the social or cultural context but Scriptural law. This passage is a command from the Lord (14:37) and applies to formal worship services in all churches.
In 1 Timothy 2:11-14, Paul writes, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man but to be in silence, for Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived fell into transgression.” Again, Paul does not reference any cultural reason, but the created order and The Fall.
Barr believes that complementarians believe unequal roles refutes equal worth (leading to oppression). But are these roles inequal or simply different? 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 says that all roles in the church are of equal importance and worth. “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose…the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”
Barr’s argument that differing roles inevitably lead to oppression is untrue. A truly good leader will never abuse those beneath them. Additionally, the Bible repeatedly states that husbands are to love their wives. Love does not oppress.
In his sermon touching on 1 Cor. 14:26-40, Pastor Nathan Elliot of Mount Freedom Baptist Church said, “It is most important that we want to hear what God’s Word says rather than make God’s Word say what we want to hear.”
We should trust that God knows best and believe every passage of His Word rather than ignoring those that seem inconvenient.
