Perspective

The Atlanta Journal/Constitution

Two of the past three weeks have brought discussions to the Forum section ostensibly aimed at the Christian Right, a.k.a. Fundamental or Evangelical Christians. Ordained ministers of Christian denominations argued both positions discussed within those pages. What has been disturbing about both is the dishonest manner in which the discussions were framed.

For example, the Reverend Perry Ginn frames his discussion around a question of allowing women, being called of God to serve and honor His church with their talents and gifts, the freedom to do so. This is a strawman of a question that would be answered in the affirmative by any Fundamental or Evangelical Christian. The real issue for the Rev. Ginn is not women serving God, but what he slips in later in his discussion; the role of women in ministerial leadership, i.e. women in the clergy.

Rev. Ginn is dishonest in proclaiming to take the Bible seriously, yet failing to discuss his issue of women in the clergy in an open manner and in light of 1 Timothy 2:9-15. While there is truly some danger in not giving a proper discussion to these verses, space will nevertheless not permit me that latitude. However, in support of them I would offer the results of the recent Re-Imaging Conference. Where Women's Divisions of several mainline denomination, as well as some women clerics, abandoned essential principles of Christianity, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, and the resurrection, for a feminist theology of goddess worship. Such an example is clearly a case of a social agenda driving the spiritual and theological discussion. Therein lies the root of an apostate church.

Glenn Jackson