A call to clarity: understanding gender role views
by Dr. Pete Schemm Vol. XVII, No. 7, August 2004
Assistant Professor of Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
One of the most debated topics among evangelicals today is that of gender roles. There are two basic gender role views among evangelicals: the egalitarian view and the complementarian view. The purpose of this brief article is to point out the clear differences between these two views.
Egalitarian
The term egalitarian describes those who have as their goal the removal of all perceived inequities among men and women in both the home and the church. According to its own adherents, this view has also been identified as “biblical feminism” or “evangelical feminism.” It is a distinct form of feminism since no other form seeks to harmonize the authentic meaning of Scripture with its view. In short, an egalitarian is one who acknowledges the authority and truthfulness of Scripture and yet denies the God-ordained role distinctions of manhood and womanhood. Several examples illustrate the egalitarian denial of God’s unique design for men and women.
First, egalitarians rightly argue that both Adam and Eve were created equally in God’s image but they wrongly argue that Adam’s role as head (or leader) of the home is nothing more than the result of the Fall (Gen 2-3).
Second, egalitarians are right to promote the loving ideal of mutual reciprocity and partnership (humbly serving one another) between husband and wife, but they err in saying that this cannot be attained in an ordered relationship wherein the wife graciously submits herself to her husband’s servant leadership, care and protection (Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
Finally, egalitarians do well to emphasize that women, just like men, are gifted and empowered by God to minister, to teach, and to build up the body of Christ. However, their mistake is that they see no limitations given on a woman’s “calling”—limitations which are clearly given in Scripture (1 Tim 2:11-15). Ultimately then, this view must be rejected because it elevates a woman’s experience above the authority of the Word of God. Probably the organization that best represents the position of egalitarianism (or evangelical feminism) is Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE), formed in 1987.
Complementarian
The term complementarian describes those who understand manhood and womanhood as distinct and yet complementary roles that have been divinely appointed by God for both the home and the church. This view has also been identified as “traditionalist” or “hierarchicalist.” Even though the majority has held this view throughout church history, still the label “traditional” may not be the best choice since it communicates an unnecessary rigidity. Complementarian seems to be the better choice since “it suggests both equality and beneficial differences between men and women” (John Piper and Wayne Grudem, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, p. xiv). In short, both men and women equally bear God’s image, yet they have complementary roles. Several examples illustrate the complementarian affirmation of God’s good design for men and women.
First, complementarians argue that not only were both Adam and Eve created equally in God’s image but Adam’s role as head (or leader) of the home was established by God before the Fall, and was not a result of sin (Gen 2-3).
Second, complementarians heartily affirm mutual reciprocity and partnership (humbly serving one another) between husband and wife, but, unlike egalitarians, they claim that this partnership works best when it accords with God’s design for an ordered relationship wherein the wife graciously submits herself to her husband’s servant leadership, care and protection (Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
Finally, complementarians affirm that women, just like men, are gifted and empowered by God to minister, to teach, and to build up the body of Christ. However, complementarians take the biblical instruction regarding women in ministry at face value (1 Cor. 11:1-16; 1 Tim 2:11-15). Even though there are some qualifications for women in ministry, the many valuable ministries of women far outweigh the few limitations Scripture imposes. The organization that best represents the complementarian view is the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW), also formed in 1987.
[Reprinted from Newsline, a campus publication of Southeastern Seminary, March 3, 2003, issue, p.3. Originally part of “Was Article XVIII Really Necessary?” in Here I Stand: Essays in Honor of L. Paige Patterson, David A. Black, N. Allan Moseley, and Stephen R. Prescott, eds. (Davidson Press, 2000). Used by permission.]