Two Views on Women in Ministry

Rating:
Summary: Great writing (for the most part), poor editing
Review: As with previous "Counterpoints" books, this book is very technical, and the authors make much use of the original Greek and Hebrew biblical texts. The good parts of this book are very good -- meriting 5 stars easily for their coverage of the subject. Specifically, the essays by Keener and Belleville (promoting equality of roles in the church) and Schreiner (promoting male authority) are very well-researched and well-written. Anyone wanting a current understanding of the debate on gender roles in the church would do well to read the book for these essays alone.

I only give this book 3 stars, though, for 3 main reasons:
(1) The 4th essay, by Ann Bowman, really doesn't fit with the format of the book. She writes very compellingly on how women are equal to men before God, how women are equally called to serve in ministry, and how women are equally gifted with the same spiritual gifts. What she does NOT cover, though, is the specific roles that the Bible deems appropriate for women (which is what I thought the book was supposed to be about). In short, she spends all but about 7 pages writing on what everybody else would agree on anyway. She does a good job of establishing the equal value of women in the church, but contributes almost nothing to the discussion of what leadership roles they should occupy.

(2) The format of the book is different from earlier Counterpoints volumes, in that the authors do not respond to each other's articles. The editors simply ask each of the writers a series of questions after each essay, and then comment on each position. Gone are what I thought were some of the most insightful portions of previous Counterpoints books -- seeing writers POINT OUT THE WEAKNESSES of the other writers' positions. To resolve the controversy on women in ministry leadership, both sides need to interact with each other, rather than just each side stating its case.

(3) The final appendix, by editor Craig Blomberg, was well-intentioned but inappropriately placed. He states that his goal is to point out a 3rd alternative that combines the strengths of the other 2 views. But what ensues is an essay that is largely traditionalist / hierarchicalist in nature, and only in the last few pages briefly describes what may be a mediating view. Since this essay is presented last, and without any subsequent comment or review, it appears to the reader as "the definitive word" on the subject. But Blomberg's ideas are far from definitive. He summarily promotes some heriarchicalist positions, and summarily dismisses other egalitarian positions without always adequately defending why. It is a well-written essay, but I think it belongs more in the center of the book (or as a 3rd alternative of a book titled "Three Views of Women in Ministry"), so that those who might not agree with him could respond and comment. The structure of the book, as it is now, suggests that Blomberg has listened to both sides of the evidence and come up with the "correct" position. But I found myself questioning his conclusions numerous times because he did not adequately defend them.

My recommendation: Buy this book if you're interested in the topic of women in minsitry, but read it through and either take notes on it or underline the significant parts. Then go back later and re-read your notes or underlined parts, in a different order than how they are presented. (i.e., read the appendix first, then ch.3-4, then ch.1-2). This will keep the structure of the book from influencing you as much, enabling you to evaluate your own position on the basis of the biblical evidence alone.

Rating:
Summary: Great writing (for the most part), poor editing
Review: As with previous "Counterpoints" books, this book is very technical, and the authors make much use of the original Greek and Hebrew biblical texts. The good parts of this book are very good -- meriting 5 stars easily for their coverage of the subject. Specifically, the essays by Keener and Belleville (promoting equality of roles in the church) and Schreiner (promoting male authority) are very well-researched and well-written. Anyone wanting a current understanding of the debate on gender roles in the church would do well to read the book for these essays alone.

I only give this book 3 stars, though, for 3 main reasons:
(1) The 4th essay, by Ann Bowman, really doesn't fit with the format of the book. She writes very compellingly on how women are equal to men before God, how women are equally called to serve in ministry, and how women are equally gifted with the same spiritual gifts. What she does NOT cover, though, is the specific roles that the Bible deems appropriate for women (which is what I thought the book was supposed to be about). In short, she spends all but about 7 pages writing on what everybody else would agree on anyway. She does a good job of establishing the equal value of women in the church, but contributes almost nothing to the discussion of what leadership roles they should occupy.

(2) The format of the book is different from earlier Counterpoints volumes, in that the authors do not respond to each other's articles. The editors simply ask each of the writers a series of questions after each essay, and then comment on each position. Gone are what I thought were some of the most insightful portions of previous Counterpoints books -- seeing writers POINT OUT THE WEAKNESSES of the other writers' positions. To resolve the controversy on women in ministry leadership, both sides need to interact with each other, rather than just each side stating its case.

(3) The final appendix, by editor Craig Blomberg, was well-intentioned but inappropriately placed. He states that his goal is to point out a 3rd alternative that combines the strengths of the other 2 views. But what ensues is an essay that is largely traditionalist / hierarchicalist in nature, and only in the last few pages briefly describes what may be a mediating view. Since this essay is presented last, and without any subsequent comment or review, it appears to the reader as "the definitive word" on the subject. But Blomberg's ideas are far from definitive. He summarily promotes some heriarchicalist positions, and summarily dismisses other egalitarian positions without always adequately defending why. It is a well-written essay, but I think it belongs more in the center of the book (or as a 3rd alternative of a book titled "Three Views of Women in Ministry"), so that those who might not agree with him could respond and comment. The structure of the book, as it is now, suggests that Blomberg has listened to both sides of the evidence and come up with the "correct" position. But I found myself questioning his conclusions numerous times because he did not adequately defend them.

My recommendation: Buy this book if you're interested in the topic of women in minsitry, but read it through and either take notes on it or underline the significant parts. Then go back later and re-read your notes or underlined parts, in a different order than how they are presented. (i.e., read the appendix first, then ch.3-4, then ch.1-2). This will keep the structure of the book from influencing you as much, enabling you to evaluate your own position on the basis of the biblical evidence alone.

Rating:
Summary: From Heresy to Honesty about Women in Ministry
Review: I applaud Beck and Blomberg and the four contributors to this well-researched, provocative, and honest discussion of the role of women in ministry. The high caliber scholarship combined with an irenic spirit on a volatile topic brings the discussion to a new level of openness and respect. The contributors help defuse the ugliness in the discussion that prevailed when this topic surfaced in earnest in the evangelical community. Neither view (egalitarian and complementarian) is "heretical" because scholars/pastors on both sides are seeking to honestly deal with the Scriptures, cultural realities, and contemporary applications. TWO VIEWS OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY presents the important and significant impact women have made in the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes. Yet, the central issue is whether the hotly debated texts from Paul (in 1 Corinthians 11 and 14, and 1 Timothy 2) are ad hoc directives, i.e., applicable only to the specific problems in Corinth and Ephesus at the time Paul wrote, or timeless directives that apply to all women in all cultures in all ages. I think this book compels the extremist proponents of each view to move to an honest, biblical middle where significant progress can be made. Zondervan is to be commended for this excellent presentation of a serious subject facing the evangelical community.

Rating:
Summary: Superb Work for Pastors and Teachers!
Review: I have read a few of the other reviews on this book, and I must respectfully disagree with the idea of it being biased against the complementarian view. On the contrary, I feel the main text is very balanced, with the large appendix by Blomberg (a complementarian) tipping the scales towards the complementarian position.

I doubt if this work will change anyone's mind who already has a firm grasp of where he stands on this issue. It does, however, provide a fair and accurate presentation of both viewpoints so that they can be thoroughly examined. There are actually a total of five essays here; two essays by egalitarians, two essays by complementarians, and one large appendix by Blomberg, which is somewhat of a hybrid between the two positions.

As a complementarian, I have developed an even greater appreciation for the role of women in ministry as a result of reading this work. The spirit of Ann Bowman's remark (as a complementarian) is particularly memorable for me: "Rather than focusing on what women should not be doing, I believe it's important to focus on what they should be doing."

This work is the third title I have read in the Counterpoints series. Although the scholarly tone may be rather heavy for some laymen, pastors and teachers will be greatly benefited and enlightened by the presentations found here. I recommend it highly as a good, concise summary of today's viewpoints on the issue of women in ministry.

Rating:
Summary: Superb Work for Pastors and Teachers!
Review: I have read a few of the other reviews on this book, and I must respectfully disagree with the idea of it being biased against the complementarian view. On the contrary, I feel the main text is very balanced, with the large appendix by Blomberg (a complementarian) tipping the scales towards the complementarian position.

I doubt if this work will change anyone's mind who already has a firm grasp of where he stands on this issue. It does, however, provide a fair and accurate presentation of both viewpoints so that they can be thoroughly examined. There are actually a total of five essays here; two essays by egalitarians, two essays by complementarians, and one large appendix by Blomberg, which is somewhat of a hybrid between the two positions.

As a complementarian, I have developed an even greater appreciation for the role of women in ministry as a result of reading this work. The spirit of Ann Bowman's remark (as a complementarian) is particularly memorable for me: "Rather than focusing on what women should not be doing, I believe it's important to focus on what they should be doing."

This work is the third title I have read in the Counterpoints series. Although the scholarly tone may be rather heavy for some laymen, pastors and teachers will be greatly benefited and enlightened by the presentations found here. I recommend it highly as a good, concise summary of today's viewpoints on the issue of women in ministry.

Rating:
Summary: Counterpoint Series
Review: I'm going to apply this commentary for the entire Counterpoint Series published by Zondervan Publishing Company. My compliments to that company for creating this series. I initially purchased "Four Views on the Book of Revelation" but soon realized it was only one in a series. I got so much out of that volume, that I decided to purchase the entire set to study and keep for reference. My spiritual growth has been remarkable as a result. Seminary students and professionals would probably enjoy this series, which seems geared for them. But this series is also excellent for those college-educated laypeople who feel inclined to enhance their understanding of Christian theology. That is, with one caveat: Buy a decent theological dictionary to refer to at first. It probably won't get used much after about the third book you choose to read, but initially you will be need it to be confident of some of the terms used among advanced theologians. Then, the Counterpoint series will give you a full understanding of many different concepts and concerns of the Christian faith which have been applicable from early on until the present. I've learned a lot, and the only way I think I could do better is if I were enrolled in Seminary. A list of all the titles I am aware of from this series is:

Are Miraculous Gifts for Today?
Five Views on Law and Gospel
Five Views on Sanctification
Four Views on Hell
Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World
Four Views on the Book of Revelation
Three Views on Creation and Evolution
Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond
Three Views on the Rapture
Two Views on Women in Ministry

Rating:
Summary: Book worth reading on the issue
Review: One of two essays supporting the authoritarian model was excellent in difussing the shallow objections that are commonly used but the arguments were not convincing to me. The essays in support of women pastors were also scholarly. Unfortunately, what was never addressed is how, if possible, you can promote freedom of conscience on this issue within a church. It seems to me that the two views, perhaps both credible, are not compatible with each other. If one feels that women are called to the pastoral ministry and that they should be welcomed and encouraged within the church, those who believe it is unbiblical must go against their conscience if they are a part of that church. When the positions are reversed the same dilema occurs. It is good food for thinking and discussion on this important matter.

Rating:
Summary: Poor Editing
Review: This book is one in Zondervan's "Counterpoints" series. Each book in this series deals with a discrete topic in theology with contributors from differing evangelical point of view. Although the book is certainly worth reading, it shares the poor editing that has plagued some of the other Counterpoints books.

The editors are both professors at Denver Seminary. Prof. Blomberg is an advocate of the "complementarian" approach to women in the ministry (against) and Prof. Beck advocates the "egalitarian" approach (in favor). This leads to my first complaint. It seems to me that people who are opposed to women in the ministry should be called "traditionalists" and those in favor "feminists." However, the editors tell us that these terms are "pejorative." Then they go on to refer to the traditionalist view as "hierarchalist." So much for not offending anyone. (Another Amazon reviewer noted this as well.)

Moving on to the substance of the book, the essays by Profs. Keener, Belleville and Schreiner are quite good. Most of the relevant biblical passages are discussed and the reader will get a good understand of why each side takes the position it does. The big disappointment is Prof. Ann Bowman's essay. Although she discusses the question of women in ministry, it is more focused on the concept of Christian ministry. In addition, it contains discussion of her days in seminary, her missionary work in Sierra Leone, her friend Londa, etc. Maybe the editors felt obligated to have a woman defend the "hierarchalist" approach, but this essay is a dud. (Moreover, she argues that women can be "pastors," just not "senior pastors," so how traditional she is is an open question.) Finally, we get to the closing essays (two by the editors) and one by Prof. Blomberg. These don't add much and it would have been better to follow the approach used in some of the other Counterpoints books - have the authors respond to each other's position. In addition, every effort is made to downplay the significance of the issue - it "is not one of orthodoxy versus liberalism . . . or truth versus heresy." And of course, the truth is somewhere in the middle, etc. Yet if women do not belong in the ministry, then the willingness of some churches to purport to ordain them is one of the biggest cave-ins to modern culture in recent memory.

Rating:
Summary: Too much overlap, needs some consolidation.
Review: This book talks about two positions within the Christian community relative to the view of women in ministry. The two positions are egalitarian (women can serve in any position within the church and are explicitly denied certain positions in only very rare culturally specific situations) and complimentarian (women can have certain roles in the church, but not all, including pastoral and elder positions).

I think this discussion boils down to your hermeneutic principle. If you tend to read the Bible as a God-inspired, infallible story that is written within the culture of its day and as such needs to be interpreted along such culturally specific guidelines, you will probably be egalitarian in your perspective. If you are a fundamentalist (also called a foundationalist) the position of complimentarian will no doubt make you more comfortable.

For me, I can not look at the God ordained institution of marriage and see anything less than complete equality. Yes, man is called out to be the "head" of the household. But let us be consistent in our understanding of the metaphor Paul is using - he uses the same metaphor when talking about the body of Christ. The head is not superior to the foot, it is different (here logically the complimentarian position has won the battle of terminology as they more closely associate their position with what position the egalitarians actually espouse).

God reaches man through three means of revelation: specific (the Bible), natural (the physical world around us), and general (the spark of knowledge of Him we each have). I find the egalitarian position most consistent across each of these three means of revelation: specific (I believe the Bible clearly supports the egalitarian position), natural (my wife is not inferior to me, she is different; only when men have denied the suffrage movement have we seen how badly men will pervert the supposedly natural order of men's strength and women's weakness in order to suppress women's freedom), and last general (I honestly can not see how having a woman's viewpoint does anything but make decisions better for families and men!). I do not believe this is an issue you deal with by logic, it is a position that has to do with your hermeneutic and world-view.

Rating:
Summary: Too much overlap, needs some consolidation.
Review: This book talks about two positions within the Christian community relative to the view of women in ministry. The two positions are egalitarian (women can serve in any position within the church and are explicitly denied certain positions in only very rare culturally specific situations) and complimentarian (women can have certain roles in the church, but not all, including pastoral and elder positions).

I think this discussion boils down to your hermeneutic principle. If you tend to read the Bible as a God-inspired, infallible story that is written within the culture of its day and as such needs to be interpreted along such culturally specific guidelines, you will probably be egalitarian in your perspective. If you are a fundamentalist (also called a foundationalist) the position of complimentarian will no doubt make you more comfortable.

For me, I can not look at the God ordained institution of marriage and see anything less than complete equality. Yes, man is called out to be the "head" of the household. But let us be consistent in our understanding of the metaphor Paul is using - he uses the same metaphor when talking about the body of Christ. The head is not superior to the foot, it is different (here logically the complimentarian position has won the battle of terminology as they more closely associate their position with what position the egalitarians actually espouse).

God reaches man through three means of revelation: specific (the Bible), natural (the physical world around us), and general (the spark of knowledge of Him we each have). I find the egalitarian position most consistent across each of these three means of revelation: specific (I believe the Bible clearly supports the egalitarian position), natural (my wife is not inferior to me, she is different; only when men have denied the suffrage movement have we seen how badly men will pervert the supposedly natural order of men's strength and women's weakness in order to suppress women's freedom), and last general (I honestly can not see how having a woman's viewpoint does anything but make decisions better for families and men!). I do not believe this is an issue you deal with by logic, it is a position that has to do with your hermeneutic and world-view.