Women and Homosexuals in Christian Ministry

In recent news, but an old dispute, there has been talk of schism and separation within the Anglican Communion centered on the growing liberality of many parishes and dioceses in the Episcopal Church, USA. Many Episcopalians, over what they see as an unacceptable liberalization of their parishes and the Episcopal branch as a whole, have left their churches to form their own, join others, depart entirely, or re-join the parent Anglican Communion. One must understand that the Episcopal Church sees itself in a largely progressive light while the Anglican Church leans more towards tradition. There are two basic arguments behind these moves by individual and collective Episcopalians.

The stronger and more recent point of contention is the ordination of openly gay priests, first brought into view with the elevation of a gay priest to the rank of Bishop in the 1980’s. The Anglican Communion does not openly endorse this, but has refused to definitively call such actions apostate and heretical, preferring, apparently, to view this liberalization as an embarrassing behavior by younger family members. Many throughout the worldwide Communion, including other Episcopal bishoprics and dioceses, particularly in Africa and Asia, however, have called for renunciation and separation of the Episcopal Church, USA from the Anglican Communion.

The lesser argument preceded the one which now threatens to divide the Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church, USA, in seeking to modernize and be progressive began ordaining women several decades ago. It was thought at the time, and proven true hence, that the ordination of women would lead to the apostasy currently practiced within the Episcopal branch. Specifically, when the first women were ordained, many traditionalists felt certain that this would lead to a broadening tolerance for other unscriptural acts, such as the ordination of the gay, which would inevitably lead to dissent and division. The traditionalists were proven right.

Churches which have wisely resisted reforms along these lines of liberality have done so with the same arguments presented here. The arguments come from Scripture Itself.

Homosexuality
Regarding the acceptance of homosexuals within the Church, the long tradition of not doing so is firmly rooted in Scripture, both old and new testaments. In the Old Testament, death is the certain reward for the discovered homosexual, “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” Leviticus 20:13. The New Testament posits that the kingdom of God does not await the homosexual, ”Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men.” I Corinthians6:9 Paul affirms the OT prohibition and Christ teaches nothing contrary to this law. As illustrated in Jesus’ saving of the sinful woman from the mob, salvation, forgiveness and grace can be granted to one who practices evil, but the act must be renounced and ended. In Christ’s own words, “Go, and sin no more.” Practicing homosexuals, like practicing prostitutes, are not welcome in Christ’s church.

Women in Ministry
Both the letter of scripture and the precedent of it refute the idea of women ministering as men do. Regardless of whether one sees the Bible as ideological metaphor or wholly accurate inspired Word of God, man is presented as the creation of God for God, while woman is the creation of God for man. In the Law of Moses, women are prohibited from the temple when menstruating, and during other similarly “female” conditions. Women are not viewed in the Old Testament as possessing the same right of relationship with God as men hold.. Nothing in Christ’s teachings suggest a change to the uneven ministerial ground of women. Jesus differentiated the ministry of women from that of men. Jesus did not use women in ministry in the same ways that He used men. Although the role of women in Christ’s ministry was significant, it was entirely different from the role of men. Christ upheld the OT prohibition against women acting as teachers or intercessory ministers for men. Jesus did not allow His culture to dictate that women were used in ministry. Modern culture is liberating women to the extent that no distinctions between men and women are tolerated in terms of their ministry and function. In the church one must obey the orders of God, regardless of what popular culture might have to say. Women are forbidden in Scripture to teach or to lead men (1 Tim. 2:11-12), and the church must obey, regardless of the demands of culture and women. Any church that permits the ordination of women is apostate and guilty of heresy, if that church likewise claims, and most do, to teach and believe the Living Word.

This analysis is not presented to expound upon the homophobic or chauvinist ideas of the writer, but shows how many, if not most, Christians in the US fail to read and understand their primary reference, the Bible. Most Christian denominations and individuals claim that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God and that its words and tenets are divinely inspired. At the same time, much like our current Administration and its relationship with the law, most choose to selectively apply the Word and ignore the parts that they find uncomfortable or disagreeable. Having said that, it now becomes obvious how a gang of criminals willfully disregarding the law could maintain itself in a country of heretics willfully defying the Word. This writer is not Christian, and yet can see the amazing parallels.