I was frustrated we did not get anywhere at General Assembly about women in the church, but I think that has changed. Read along...
To: ByFaith Readers
From: Richard Doster, editor
Subject: Two articles in the current magazine
In June the PCA’s General Assembly rejected Overture Nine—to form a study committee investigating the issue of women deacons.
In his defense of this decision, Fred Greco, chairman of the Overtures Committee, urged more discussion at the local level. “There are,” Greco said, “venues for this discussion to take place in a less confrontational way.”
These discussions are underway—formally and informally—calmly and not so calmly. To encourage unity and civility, we’ve published two articles on the subject in the most recent issue of byFaith. They come from two of our most highly respected pastors, Ligon Duncan and Tim Keller. Both men know and love God’s Word. Both have unwavering allegiance to its authority. And, though they differ, each one respects the other.
As you approach these articles, we want you to be aware of these points of agreement:
* Both writers are firmly complementarian.
* They agree that no credible, biblical case can been made for the ordination of women to the teaching and ruling office in the church.
* They affirm that our polity and practice is to be informed by, and corrected by, Scripture alone.
* They urge us to engage the question with full respect for our fellow churchmen who hold different views.
* They urge us to focus on Scripture rather than to respond—either by reaction or adaptation—to the culture.
* And both agree, “The real question we ought to be asking is not should we have ordained female deacons or deaconesses but rather, what kind of deaconess, or female diaconal assistant, does the New Testament authorize?”
In publishing these articles, we hope to promote the peace and purity of the PCA.
For the sake of the kingdom,
Richard Doster
Editor
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