Thursday, July 30, 2009

N. T. Wright on women in ministry

Many evangelical Christians think very highly of N. T. Wright, Bishop of Durham. In this clip he sets out a biblical argument for the full inclusion of women in the ministry of the church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaVVXleoAdU&eurl

Here is a paper he presented on the subject:
http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Women_Service_Church.htm

2 comments:

  1. B. Banner - part 1

    Complimentarinism - Egalitarianism. Hmmm?
    Do you ever wonder; Is that the only two options?
    What if there is another option?

    What is popular is not always truth.
    What is truth is not always popular.

    N. T. Wright. Hmmm?
    Does he really believe the Bible?
    Or has the traditions of men
    made the word of God of non effect?
    Could he really think that women can be leaders in the church?
    Where in the NT does it say that men are leaders in the church?
    Where in the NT does it say “The Church of God”
    is a building, an organization, an institution,
    a denomintion, a business or a corporation.

    If you’re in a denominational system; is there male and female?
    If you’re in Christ; is there male and female? Hmmm?

    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free,
    there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
    Galations 3:28

    For as the body is one, and hath many members,
    and all the members of that one body, being many,
    are one body: so also is Christ.
    1 Corinthians 12:12

    That they all may be one; as thou, Father,
    art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:
    that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
    John 17:21

    If you’re in Christ; is there male and female?
    Or is there one?

    AsOnetarianism? Hmmm?

    I wonder; If women seek to be ordained;
    are they really looking for equality?
    Or are women looking for power, profit, prestige and prominence?
    Are women looking for honor from men and from women?
    Why not look for equality with Jesus?
    Isn’t Jesus to be our example?

    Didn’t Jesus make himself of no reputation,
    and take upon himself the form of a servant
    and humble himself? Php 2:7

    Are their eyes on man and how man has gained a reputation
    and not on Jesus?
    (What is Humble?) (Can you have a title and be humble?)

    When women are ordained by humans and receive,
    papers and titles, such as, reverend and pastor,
    are they receiving honor from man?
    Are women creating a reputation for themselves?
    Are women now no longer looking for Jesus to be their example?
    Are women now looking to man to be their example?

    Jesus Himself refused honor from men.
    Jesus declared in John 5:41; “I receive not honour from men.”
    He goes on to say, “ How can ye believe,
    which receive honour one of another,
    and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?”

    Jesus also declares,
    “If I honour myself, my honour is nothing...” John 8:54

    When women greet each other with the use of titles
    are they receiving honour one of another?
    If that title is engraved on a business card or a door sign;
    are they honoring themselves and thus their honour is nothing?
    Doesn’t the Bible call graven images idols?
    Could a title be an idol?

    Doesn’t a title, with it’s power, profit, prestige and prominence,
    appeal to; “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
    and the pride of life, which is not of the Father, but is of the world?”

    If women take a title are they looking for their own glory?
    Jesus said, “I seek not mine own glory...” John 8:50
    “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory...” John 7:18

    If women take a title are they looking for the praise of men
    more than the praise of God?

    John 12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also
    many believed on him;
    but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him,
    lest they should be put out of the synagogue: (congregation)
    For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

    “The chief rulers” loved the praise of men
    more than the praise of God. Hmmm?
    Are there any women “chief rulers” around today?
    Are they looking for the praise of men?
    Are you a women wanting to be a leader?

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  2. part - 2

    Why do women not believe Jesus when he said to His disciples in Mt 23,
    Neither be ye called masters: (leader) for one is your Master, (leader) even Christ.

    The Interlinear Bible - Nor be called leaders,
    for one is your leader the Christ.

    Phillips Modern English - You must not let people call you leaders,
    you have only one leader, Christ.

    Today's English Version - nor should you be called leader.
    your one and only leader is the Messiah.

    The Amplified - you must not be called masters (leaders)
    for you have one master (leader) the Christ.

    Jesus says, “if any man serve me, let him follow me.” John 12:26
    Paul also says, “to serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:24
    Paul ( Romans 1:1), Jude ( Jude 1:1), Peter, ( 2 Peter 1:1 ), James ( James 1:1 ),
    They all call themselves - servants of Jesus Christ.

    None call themselves “leaders,” only servants. None? None.
    None call themselves “servant-leaders,” only servants. None? None.

    If Jesus told His disciples not to be called master/leader
    and a women calls herself a leader or thinks she is a leader;
    is that women a disciple of Christ?
    Or a disciple of an Institutional Church?

    When those are your choices, leader or disciple, which one do you choose?

    And Jesus said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men;
    (Is servant-leader a justification before men? Is servant-leader in the Bible?)
    but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men
    is abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15

    Have you ever wondered; What is highly esteemed among men?
    Have you ever wondered; What is highly esteemed among women?
    Could it be, power, profit, prestige and prominence?
    Could it be, “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,
    which is not of the Father, but is of the world?” 1John 2:16

    My apologies to the women who read this.
    I apologize for all the men who have done foolish things in the name of God.

    Jesus trusted at least five women to deliver the greatest message ever.
    He Is Risen.
    And Jesus upbraided His men disciples for their doubt and unbelief.

    Now, if you think that gives women the right to be called pastor,
    if the Bible is your standard, ask yourself these questions;

    How many people in the Bible are called pastor?
    How many people in the Bible have the title pastor?
    How many people in the Bible are ordained a pastor?
    How many congregations in the Bible are led by a pastor?

    In the defense of men - It’s not really our fault.
    The Bible says when God operated on Adam,
    “He caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam,”
    It never says He woke him up again.

    Please forgive us.

    Titles become idols and
    pastors become masters.

    Be blessed in your search for truth.

    In His Service. By His Grace.

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