Complementarianism
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Complementarianism is a largely theological view among some Christians that an unequal status of men and women, particularly in marriage and in church leadership, is biblically required. It differs from Christian egalitarianism or gender-equalism. The term, Complementarian, was coined in recent years and largely replaces today what previously was known as the Traditionalist or Hierarchical view of gender relationships.
The concept holds that women and men, by virtue of their gender-based differences and points of uniqueness, are to complement each other, mutually completing a pair or group by supplying each other's lack. Unlike former Traditionalist or Hierarchical views of gender relationships, Complementarianism holds that men and women were created equal by God at Creation. With respect to roles in the church and in marriage, gender-based differences determine or restrict the roles appropriate for each.
The complementarian position has clear implications for the ordination of women as well as for the Christian view of marriage.
Complementarians view women's roles in ministry, particularly in church settings, as limited to one extent or another. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men. Complementarians would not support placing women in any leadership roles that would imply or provide some authority over men. Which other specific ministry roles are open to women varies among complementarians.[1]
The Complementarian view of marriage maintains that gender-based roles and a husband-headship/wife-submission structure is biblically required in marriage. The husband is considered to have the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead “his” family. A wife is to submit herself to the leadership of her husband, respecting her husband and serving as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. This understanding has led to a religious stand against women working for pay and holding positions of authority in the secular, religious, and political world.[1]
Complementarianism teaches that a wife should be submissive to her husband in all things, the exception being she should never "follow her husband into sin."[2]
That Complementarianism is biblically required is strongly promoted by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Groups of churches that broadly support this position include Newfrontiers, Sovereign Grace Ministries, the Southern Baptist Convention[1], the Presbyterian Church of America and the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, among others.
Noted theologians and Christian thinkers who support the Complementarian position include Wayne Grudem, Albert Mohler, Mark Dever, Mark Driscoll, C. J. Mahaney, Joshua Harris, Ligon Duncan, Terry Virgo, and John Piper.
Recently it has been suggested that men and women can complement each other without any form of hierarchy. This view argues that men and women are both eligible for all positions and roles, though each may bring something different (and complementary) to those roles. This view further holds that one can subscribe both to complementarity and Christian egalitarianism. One academic book advocating this position is Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy.[3]
[edit] References and Notes
- ^ a b c http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, Southern Baptist Convention
- ^ Piper, John and Grudem, Wayne (eds.) Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1991, p. 57. Free download from http://www.cbmw.org/rbmw/
- ^ Ronald W. Pierce, Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, Gordon D. Fee (eds.), Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
