The World Needs Women Priests

[Hmm]

No, I don't think so. If the result was for women's ordination, we'd see ongoing division (lots of people not accepting the result, as has happened with schisms in many denominations). If the result was against women's ordination, what becomes of those of us in orders? And the churches which we serve?

I would not accept such a vote as a legitimate undoing of my ordination.



I'm not sure. But the participation of laity would be very important.

I entirely agree that you can't undo women's ordination where it's already established. I was meaning only churches that don't allow it so far.

Do you think then that most denominations won't decide to accept a democratic result on this issue? Does scripture say anything
about using some form of democracy to resolve contentiousness issues? Sorry to plague you with questions btw! I'm going out now so this will be must last one (for now!)

 

[Albion]

Why.

Why should they?

 

[Sammy-San]

"Priestess" is not a term that has ever been used of Christian clergy. People who use that term now generally use both to associate women's ministry with Paganism, and to suggest that women's ministry is different from/inferior to that of men.

It's a slur and an insult.

Do you think the term being used in paganism hints it's base nature

 

[Sammy-San]

"Priestess" is not a term that has ever been used of Christian clergy. People who use that term now generally use both to associate women's ministry with Paganism, and to suggest that women's ministry is different from/inferior to that of men.

It's a slur and an insult.

Do you think that it's Bibical for men to read books like stormie omartin or for women to teach seminary or Christian lessons or have authoritative doctrine in Christian music?

 

[Paidiske]

Do you think then that most denominations won't decide to accept a democratic result on this issue? Does scripture say anything
about using some form of democracy to resolve contentiousness issues? Sorry to plague you with questions btw! I'm going out now so this will be must last one (for now!)

I don't know enough to venture a comment about whether "most" denominations have an even somewhat democratic form of governance. Certainly the bigger denominations which stand against women's ordination tend not to do so.

I am not aware of any directly applicable Scripture in this regard. We can see different ways of resolving contentious issues modelled in the New Testament.

 

[Sammy-San]

I don't know enough to venture a comment about whether "most" denominations have an even somewhat democratic form of governance. Certainly the bigger denominations which stand against women's ordination tend not to do so.

I am not aware of any directly applicable Scripture in this regard. We can see different ways of resolving contentious issues modelled in the New Testament.

I don't think women posting Christian blogs is Bibical because of the combination of doctrine and something being on written form is outside the disclaimer of a missionary answering questions or teaching women questions during a church service or a woman leading a youth group

 

[Paidiske]

Do you think the term being used in paganism hints it's base nature

I think the term is not a Christian one, and that is enough reason not to use it of Christian clergy.

Do you think that it's Bibical for men to read books like stormie omartin or for women to teach seminary or Christian lessons or have authoritative doctrine in Christian music?

Sam, I'm a priest. I belong to a denomination which accepts the ministry of women in every role and at every level. I believe that to be a fulfilment of the gospel and a matter of obedience to the Holy Spirit.

And oh yeah, I have a blog. Most of my blog posts are my sermon texts. Women don't need a disclaimer to exercise our gifts in service to the mission of God.

 

[Sammy-San]

I think the term is not a Christian one, and that is enough reason not to use it of Christian clergy.



Sam, I'm a priest. I belong to a denomination which accepts the ministry of women in every role and at every level. I believe that to be a fulfilment of the gospel and a matter of obedience to the Holy Spirit.

And oh yeah, I have a blog. Most of my blog posts are my sermon texts. Women don't need a disclaimer to exercise our gifts in service to the mission of God.

A disclaimer puts certain teaching into a different category

 

[Sammy-San]

I think the term is not a Christian one, and that is enough reason not to use it of Christian clergy.



Sam, I'm a priest. I belong to a denomination which accepts the ministry of women in every role and at every level. I believe that to be a fulfilment of the gospel and a matter of obedience to the Holy Spirit.

And oh yeah, I have a blog. Most of my blog posts are my sermon texts. Women don't need a disclaimer to exercise our gifts in service to the mission of God.

This reminds me of how the term witch is spooky but wizard or superhero or mysticism is not.

 

[Paidiske]

A disclaimer puts certain teaching into a different category

Which is completely unnecessary in this case.

 

[Albion]

I wonder if it's because on this issue it just feels right to so many people. Given that the Bible says we are a "priesthood of believers" could a case be made in principle that a good way to settle this issue would be by a ballot of all believers?

Would you argue for a ballot of all believers to decide every Christian doctrine, then?

If not, what makes the difference?

 

[Sammy-San]

Which is completely unnecessary in this case.

The term priestess sounds wierd and draws undue attention to gender.
Do you think pastor ess is pagan

 

[Paidiske]

The term priestess...draws undue attention to gender.

Well, I can agree with you there.

Do you think pastor ess is pagan

Not in the same way, since it isn't a term commonly used by Pagans. That said, I don't feel the need for a feminine form of the noun.

 

[Sammy-San]

Well, I can agree with you there.



Not in the same way, since it isn't a term commonly used by Pagans. That said, I don't feel the need for a feminine form of the noun.

Why.

 

[Sammy-San]

Well, I can agree with you there.



Not in the same way, since it isn't a term commonly used by Pagans. That said, I don't feel the need for a feminine form of the noun.

It hints at the wierd nature of paganism.
Do you think priest has connotations of going against the priesthood of all believers.

 

[Paidiske]

Why.

Why... don't I feel the need for feminine nouns for women in ministry? For all the reasons we've discussed. It tends to be used to diminish, dismiss and insult. It draws undue attention to gender.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with seeing nouns like "priest" or "minister" or "pastor" as gender-neutral, just like "doctor" or "judge" or - dare we hope? - "president."

 

[Paidiske]

Do you think priest has connotations of going against the priesthood of all believers.

No. We can distinguish between the priesthood of all believers, and the priesthood of ordained leaders (elders) within that community.

Disambiguation is a thing.

 

[Strong in Him]

I agree there will never be unanimity but if it was a majority decision, either way, would not that be a resolution at least for the time being? If the result went against women's ordination there will of course be calls for a second vote after a while but that's appropriate because the next generation may think differently.

If the vote went against women's ordination, what would happen to those women who are already ordained and whose role is accepted and respected? Would they be required to abandon their calling from God to obey the opinion of men?

 

[Hmm]

If the vote went against women's ordination, what would happen to those women who are already ordained and whose role is accepted and respected? Would they be required to abandon their calling from God to obey the opinion of men?

I did answer that in #301

 

[Strong in Him]

I don't think women posting Christian blogs is Bibical because of the combination of doctrine and something being on written form is outside the disclaimer of a missionary answering questions or teaching women questions during a church service or a woman leading a youth group

So Christian women can't write blogs?