Why We Do Not Allow Women Bloggers On RGM
As a pastor I love women’s ministry. It is an integral part of our church and an integral part of my life as a husband. However recently we posted an article pointing out the simple trajectory that The Gospel Coalition seems to have been featuring just as many women bloggers as male bloggers on their site. I think women’s ministry to women is a very important part of the Christian faith and of the life of any church; however this does not preclude the idea that we should have women blogging alongside of men on any array theological issues. I was reminded of why this issue is so important to me yet again, recently I was on desiringgod.org I noticed the same trajectory as TGC, that is, about 50% of the blogs on John Piper’s website on any given day can be written by women. If John Piper wants to have a women’s segment of his website that would be a very positive thing. However this is not at all what’s going on. In fact the women that are blogging on TGC and desiringgod.org are writing on subjects that have nothing to do with women’s ministry or women’s issues at all— straying away from Titus 2 style ministry. So once again I ask the simple question, is this a good direction for the church? As for John Piper’s ministry, this is certainly a new direction a direction that he had not taken before a direction which took a conscious decision to make and no doubt a conscious weighing of the pros and cons of such a change to public ministry. At redgracemedia.com we have decided not to follow in that direction. Again this is not because I don’t think that women can’t and should not blog (they should), but because I don’t think that women should be given a teaching platform through theological blogs that are not directed towards women’s issues or a women’s audience. I gave the rationale for this decision back when I commented on TGC; but the gist is this: everything that we do in terms of ministry should be done with an analogy to the local church. Just because we are not within the walls of the church does not mean that we are free to make our own ministry parameters so long as they suit our purpose. No, in fact we should always think of what impact this will have on the local church and whether or not we would allow something within the local church. Given that paradigm for thinking, ironically taken from one of Wayne Grudem’s books on the threat of feminism, I don’t think it would be in the best interest of the local church to begin to allow women to disseminate theological content to the entire church either through public teaching or public writing. Maybe I have not come into “the times” of what is now acceptable among many mainstream ministries; but I still cannot help but avoid blurring the lines on the teaching ministry of the church (cf. 1 Tim. 2.11-12).
These lines are being further blurred by the rise of women faculty at Christian colleges and seminaries. Christianity Today recently issued an article asking the question, “Should Christian Colleges Let Female Faculty Teach Men the Bible?” Several opinions were expressed by several voices on this important topic. Not surprising, Craig Blomberg seems to suggest that the a seminary is free to do away with all ecclesiastical restrictions as long as they are not within the walls of the church:
“A college is not a church. It does not baptize, exercise church discipline, have elders and deacons, and so on. Biblical restrictions refer only to office (usually elders) rather than function, and that view simply can’t be fairly transferred to a college or even a seminary.”
–Craig Blomberg, New Testament professor, Denver Seminary
Sadly, someone as respected as Philip Ryken, seems woefully inconsistent when he hopes students can learn from women lecturing in the academy as he himself has; but then stresses that only the church should answer doctrinal questions on oversight:
“I hope and expect our students to learn as much as I do from the lectures, publications, and personal ministry of female faculty members. The academy is not the church, and as a college we support the church best when we leave questions of doctrinal oversight to the authority of the local church.”
–Philip Ryken, president, Wheaton College
The problem with this of course is that, promoting students (including men) to be taught by women faculty is a doctrinal (egalitarian) issue with numerous implications. The simple fact remains that church-like activity should follow the pattern of, well, the church. Grudem also expressed his opinion on the question, “Should Christian Colleges Let Female Faculty Teach Men the Bible?”:
“Mixed-gender theology classes should be taught by men. It is illogical to say a woman should train men to be Bible teachers and pastors when she shouldn’t be one herself. If women shouldn’t be pastors or elders in churches, then they should also not have that role in other contexts.”
–Wayne Grudem, theology professor, Phoenix Seminary
“Mixed-gender theology classes should be taught by men”, now, that was not that hard to say but if someone does not say it more and more steps towards the cliff of full-blown egalitarianism will be slowly taken. If I do not allow women to blog theologically in church, theological blogs outside of church and towards mixed audiences should follow suit— as will be the case on RGM.
Sola Scriptura
Kristy
May 19, 2014 at 9:54 pmGreat article. This has been a very popular topic of debate lately. As a woman, I find it offensive & degrading when women, & men, claim that the role that God has created women for & gifted them for, is not enough. I am in the process of starting a blog/site that will focus on giving women a place to go for deeper theology by women rather than the sad state of emotional driven, "how to be a better wife/mom/friend" stuff that seems to be the major landscape of women's ministry books & studies these days. Anyway, great article & thanks for standing for what is Biblical.
Suzanne
May 20, 2014 at 4:09 amAgree!!!! I love to read blogs and other articles, but believe wholeheartedly that there is a proper place for a woman's ministry. That does not include sites where men (along with women) obviously go for teaching. Wish more folk would seek the Scripture on this matter.
Heathet
May 26, 2014 at 8:27 pmMr. Ramos, what exactly are "women's issues."
Emilio Ramos
May 27, 2014 at 7:35 amThank you so much for your question. When I speak of women's issues I am referring to everything that pertains to this category. Her femininity, role as a mother, wife, and mentor to younger women. It can be things that speak also of other areas of the Christian life but that are spoken for women and from a woman's perspective which is very much needed today. In fact, we need women to write and teach on a whole host of women's issues like biblical modesty, biblical submission and purity. I hope that helps.
Don
May 27, 2014 at 11:41 amGreat perspective. Though I would say we may not be able to legislate what people do on their blogs, I certainly agree that allowing private seminaries, rather than seminaries being a ministry of the church is a serious problem and why you have these men saying we have liberty to deviate from the Biblical principle. When you allow one error, it generally gives birth to more. The church needs to take control and oversight of the seminaries, and exercise stricter discipline in the presbyteries so we do not repeat the Machen situation where the majority of ministers have gone so liberal that the good men have to leave the church. I am glad there are intelligent omen who love to dialogue about theology, and doctrine. But I agree that is is unseemly for me to be on a site arguing some deep scriptural and hermeneutical issue with a woman, especially when they do not come from a place of humility saying, but here is how it looks to me, rather than raging, you idiot this is the truth... And when a woman is correcting a minister and telling what the truth should be, that is really abnormal. A godly woman would just not act that way to a pastor, even if he is wrong. The same respect to the office should be given online.
Melanie
July 16, 2014 at 5:40 amI struggle with this: I prepare for Sunday morning Bible Study using several commentaries as I read my Bible. I am under a male teacher in a mixed gender group. But....should I speak of what I have learned or keep quiet. Sometimes I feel I should, then again I feel I am teaching if I share. Thanks for your help.
Emilio Ramos
July 16, 2014 at 7:13 pmMelanie thank you so much for your inquiry, we here at RedGraceMedia are encouraged that there are some women that take the bible as seriously as you do in this specific area. When speaking of "learning in silence" we are speaking of in the context of official corporate worship. The main purpose of the beginning of 1 Timothy is about the Church assembly. The text in 1 Tim is explained in that context. So when you are in bible study you should feel free to ask questions as the bible study is for such rather than church service. However I leave you with one caveat. If your leadership does not hold to that position, meaning that you should remain silent even in bible study it would be best to remain obedient of their request and submit to that and hold your question until after. I hope this helps. God Bless!
Melanie
July 17, 2014 at 8:51 pmThank you. Always seeking to grow stronger in obedience and not be a stumbling block. I am blessed to be in a reformed southern baptist church with strong elder leadership. Thanks again for your reply.
Karla
September 15, 2014 at 7:04 amI think you should do an article about getting drunk,being mean/sharp tongues,gambling,coveting/jealousy, and gossip which are out of control in church yet barely ever get confronted. I notice that most people today seem to focus on gay marriage and/or abortion so they don't have to face their own sin. Bible says that all drunkards go to hell and yet people still get drunk like it's no big deal because it hardly gets confronted. The wine that Jesus made was from the fruit of the vine/new wine/diluted and the Bible says don't get drunk with/on strong wine so people who get drunk with wine are also wrong! It doesn't matter how spiritual people are if they aren't Biblical they are still lost/headed for hell. Preach against all sin before it's too late and many in the church hear Christ say depart from Me you are a worker of iniquity I never knew you! People today have no fear of the Lord. Many now say something mean and then laugh after like that makes it okay or they say "I was just joking" to try to cover it up. Many today seem to forget Jesus said many will say to Me Lord,Lord and not enter heaven!
Emilio Ramos
September 16, 2014 at 12:15 pmThe sins of abortion and homosexuality are what are in the public eye moreso than other sins. So for us to cover what is prevalent in the culture is good and right. We will certainly take into consideration your concern and try and deal with other sins but when the subjects of homosexuality are the main story of today and rampant in the church we cannot simply turn a blind eye and lump it in with everything else. As Romans 1 states over and over this particular sin seems to be something that God hands you over to, if you will the last straw...
Karla
September 16, 2014 at 1:24 pmI understand that abortion and gay marriage both need to be preached on but I'm just worried that these other sins are not getting talked about. Bible says drunkards go to hell and yet I meet person after person that still gets drunk because it hardly ever gets confronted. Thank you for your response.