"This is what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent" (I Timothy 2:11-12). I believe in the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture, so I accept that verse to the core of my being as authoritative and true. I also celebrate that half of our upcoming summer teaching team will be women, and that half of our ministerial/pastoral staff are women, including campus directors, Meck Institute teachers and directors, and more. Women also play a prominent role on our board of Trustees. There are two primary views when it comes to women in ministry. The Egalitarian view that wants to see, in one form or another, equality--no distinctions, a level playing field. Then there is the Complementarian view that sees women as equal in God's sight as His children, but with differing roles. My views on the matter please neither side. But I am convinced (not belligerently, but humbly) that it is the biblical perspective, otherwise I wouldn't hold to it." -- James White
I must admit I am intrigued as he is correct that there are usually only two sides to this disunion. I am equally intrigued how he managed to ignore the key verses because you must do that to support women in authority over men.
"Let's return to Paul's admonition to his younger apprentice. There are four important considerations to keep in mind when reading his words:
1. In that day and culture, women had virtually no rights whatsoever. In fact, in the Jewish tradition there was a prayer where men thanked God they were not a slave, a Gentile or a woman. Christianity freed women from these sexist ideas, and taught that women were human beings who were not second-class citizens.
