Members of Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) say every Christian can function as an equal part of the body of Christ, regardless of gender. But surprisingly to some, they don’t consider themselves feminists — just part of a reform movement.
“The Spirit is calling us to read the [biblical] text anew,” said Mimi Haddad, CBE president. “It’s the Spirit of God who is drawing people all over the world to the same conclusion [about women leaders in the church]. Sometimes He uses CBE and sometimes He doesn’t.”
CBE held its biannual conference Aug. 7–10 to promote ministry that is “rooted in God’s gifting, rather than gender, class or race.” Roughly 350 people attended the eighth international conference, which focused on women ministering across the world.
Haddad said leadership by Christian women differs from that of secular feminists.
“The church is too easily frightened by what appears to be feminist culture because we have seen some of the devastation from secular feminism,” she said. “There are problems with secular feminism, but don’t let it stop you [from affirming women].”
In a keynote address, author and speaker Lee Grady gave several biblical examples of women God used as tools to kill the enemies of God’s people. Grady said present-day women have the same ability to be used of God for a greater good.
“We’ve got to have a whole paradigm shift of courage in this day and age,” he said. “Women are not excused anymore. The Bible says the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
The conference featured workshop leaders and speakers from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America to promote a theme of Christians working together as an international community.
Alabama Baptist Lydia Barrow-Hankins taught one workshop about her life in Japan working with her husband as Southern Baptist missionaries.
“I stand with many women colleagues in Japan who are serving as pastors,” said Barrow-Hankins, who has lived in Japan for more than 20 years. “The church is 70 percent women, and there’s a real shortage of pastors, so when women come forward [to serve] everyone is thrilled.”
The Hankinses recently were fired by the International Mission Board because they would not sign an affirmation of the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, the revised faith statement of the Southern Baptist Convention. Now Japanese officials at the university where Barrow-Hankins works have hired her as a regular staff member. “The tables have turned, and now my Japanese colleagues are taking care of me,” Barrow-Hankins said. “I have been awed and humbled by their willingness to take us on. As a woman in ministry this is a wonderful thing.”
While CBE draws its membership mostly from evangelical Christians, many evangelicals hold a different view of the role of women. Some critics question CBE’s “egalitarian” stance, saying instead that men and women have “complementary” roles in the church.
The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, for instance, argues that men and women have equal but different roles in life. “Our organization agrees [with CBE] that, according to Genesis 1, men and women are equal in the sight of God,” said Randy Stinson, executive director for the council. “Prior to the [biblical] fall, there were clear role differences between Adam and Eve, and this involved authority and submission. The fall distorted that.”
The fact that Eve came from Adam’s side demonstrates her equality, Stinson said, but the fact that Adam named her demonstrates his authority. He said if you take the overall teachings of the Bible, it’s difficult to find a place without the clearly defined relationship between men and women.
Groups such as CBE cite Galatians 3:28 as an important verse proving no distinction between male and female roles. Stinson, however, said the passage demonstrates “the inheritance received in Christ is the same between men and women,” not the roles.
Haddad disagreed. “When you have subjection [of women to men], you no longer have equality,” she said. “You can’t have it both ways.” Hierarchical language undermines the call of love, she said.
The conference included a discussion on men and women in “global community” and an awards banquet honoring those who work toward gender equality in their field. (ABP)
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