A call to renounce traditions in the church that are harmful to women.
What are these traditions?
- That only men may hold positions of leadership in the church.
- That only men may teach the spiritual truths found in the Bible.
- That men have a position of “authority” over women in marriage.
Why renounce them?
- They are an example of injustice. They give power to one group of people and withhold it from another, all on the basis of their sex at birth.
- They foster abuse. The greatest predictor of male violence against women is an environment that teaches men to exert control and authority over female behavior.[i]
- They have no part in the Christian faith. Despite Jesus’ example of treating women as equals to men,[ii] and despite overt statements in the New Testament that women and men are equal “in Christ,”[iii] traditions based on Greek philosophy and Roman law became the basis of a male-dominant authority structure in the institutional church. This authority structure then interpreted and in some cases translated the Bible with a systematic bias against women.[iv] It is time for this bias, rooted in human prejudice, to be forever disassociated from the life and message of Jesus Christ.
Will you publicly renounce these harmful traditions, while affirming your desire to trust and follow Jesus?
If so, please sign the petition.
Thank you.
[i] Edwards, H & Edwards, B. (2017). Addressing Domestic Violence in the Church, Charleston, SC: Createspace, p. 8.
[ii] In John’s gospel, Jesus first openly revealed that He was the Messiah to a Samaritan woman. He did this when it was against Jewish custom for men to speak in public with women who were not their wives or relatives, and when it was against the cultural norms of the day for a Jewish person to speak to a Samaritan. This woman then took the message that Jesus was the Messiah to her town, and many people came to faith in Christ (John 4:1-42). The first people Jesus entrusted with the news of His resurrection from the dead were women. He did this when the laws and customs of the day did not regard women as reliable witnesses (Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-10).
[iii] The New Testament book of Galatians tells us, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (3:28).
[iv] Edwards, H & Edwards, B. (2017). Addressing Domestic Violence in the Church, Charleston, SC: Createspace, pp. 10-14.
Updates
October 30, 2017
ive been reading through the stories people are sharing in the comments and it just shows how much this conversation is needed. it is tough stuff to read but it confirms that we are talking about real lives getting hurt by these old structures.
October 30, 2017
im honestly blown away by the response so far. seeing so many people agree that its time for change is giving me a ton of hope for what comes next.
Reached 100 supporters
October 30, 2017
37 Comments
I had to get a doctorate in theology before people took me seriously. I have worked as a pastor for 30 years- no salary! Why? Cos they think my husband is the bread winner. We serve an awesome God, He has blessed me beyond what man could do
Women have got God's calling,talents which can as well build the kingdom of God. Ones they are intimidated or limited to some level or position,seemingly the church loose part of the growth of the church. They should be allowed to witness holistically. Thanks
The bible has women's words, examples of women leaders, and it is wrong to claim otherwise. Reading scriptures out of context is abusing scriptures, which leads to abusing women and standing in the way of their fulfilling God's calling.
Jesus is our standard, and since Jesus did not commit women to husbands, or to males, and because Jesus did not deny women anything based on their being women, then we cannot in good stewardship of the gospel, do so either.
I have been of this issue for over 25 years, and I support this wholeheartedly. It has made things very difficult for us at times, as we won't support a church that restricts the gifts of women. I will gladly stand before God about this.
I praise Yahweh and thank you Bob Edwards for your thorough research on this topic that has bothered me since becoming born again 40 odd years ago!!! This information reflects the true heart of my Saviour - not the lies spewed by 'churchianity'!
Thank you for making this available.
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A call to renounce traditions in the church that are harmful to women.
What are these traditions?
- That only men may hold positions of leadership in the church.
- That only men may teach the spiritual truths found in the Bible.
- That men have a position of “authority” over women in marriage.
Why renounce them?
- They are an example of injustice. They give power to one group of people and withhold it from another, all on the basis of their sex at birth.
- They foster abuse. The greatest predictor of male violence against women is an environment that teaches men to exert control and authority over female behavior.[i]
- They have no part in the Christian faith. Despite Jesus’ example of treating women as equals to men,[ii] and despite overt statements in the New Testament that women and men are equal “in Christ,”[iii] traditions based on Greek philosophy and Roman law became the basis of a male-dominant authority structure in the institutional church. This authority structure then interpreted and in some cases translated the Bible with a systematic bias against women.[iv] It is time for this bias, rooted in human prejudice, to be forever disassociated from the life and message of Jesus Christ.
Will you publicly renounce these harmful traditions, while affirming your desire to trust and follow Jesus?
If so, please sign the petition.
Thank you.
[i] Edwards, H & Edwards, B. (2017). Addressing Domestic Violence in the Church, Charleston, SC: Createspace, p. 8.
[ii] In John’s gospel, Jesus first openly revealed that He was the Messiah to a Samaritan woman. He did this when it was against Jewish custom for men to speak in public with women who were not their wives or relatives, and when it was against the cultural norms of the day for a Jewish person to speak to a Samaritan. This woman then took the message that Jesus was the Messiah to her town, and many people came to faith in Christ (John 4:1-42). The first people Jesus entrusted with the news of His resurrection from the dead were women. He did this when the laws and customs of the day did not regard women as reliable witnesses (Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-10).
[iii] The New Testament book of Galatians tells us, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (3:28).
[iv] Edwards, H & Edwards, B. (2017). Addressing Domestic Violence in the Church, Charleston, SC: Createspace, pp. 10-14.
Updates
October 30, 2017
ive been reading through the stories people are sharing in the comments and it just shows how much this conversation is needed. it is tough stuff to read but it confirms that we are talking about real lives getting hurt by these old structures.
October 30, 2017
im honestly blown away by the response so far. seeing so many people agree that its time for change is giving me a ton of hope for what comes next.
Reached 100 supporters
October 30, 2017
37 Comments
My former church did nothing to help me when I found myself in a psychologically and emotionally abusive marriage with an unrepentant man. I speak with women daily who are suffering because of their church's ignorance in dealing with abuse in their congregations. It has to stop.
I had to get a doctorate in theology before people took me seriously. I have worked as a pastor for 30 years- no salary! Why? Cos they think my husband is the bread winner. We serve an awesome God, He has blessed me beyond what man could do
Women have got God's calling,talents which can as well build the kingdom of God. Ones they are intimidated or limited to some level or position,seemingly the church loose part of the growth of the church. They should be allowed to witness holistically. Thanks
The bible has women's words, examples of women leaders, and it is wrong to claim otherwise. Reading scriptures out of context is abusing scriptures, which leads to abusing women and standing in the way of their fulfilling God's calling.
Jesus is our standard, and since Jesus did not commit women to husbands, or to males, and because Jesus did not deny women anything based on their being women, then we cannot in good stewardship of the gospel, do so either.
I have been of this issue for over 25 years, and I support this wholeheartedly. It has made things very difficult for us at times, as we won't support a church that restricts the gifts of women. I will gladly stand before God about this.
I praise Yahweh and thank you Bob Edwards for your thorough research on this topic that has bothered me since becoming born again 40 odd years ago!!! This information reflects the true heart of my Saviour - not the lies spewed by 'churchianity'!
Thank you for making this available.
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My former church did nothing to help me when I found myself in a psychologically and emotionally abusive marriage with an unrepentant man. I speak with women daily who are suffering because of their church's ignorance in dealing with abuse in their congregations. It has to stop.