Two Views on Women in Ministry

Two Views on Women in Ministry

Introduction

Women in the ministry have been a major concern in the Christian missionaries. Over the years it has remained a debatable issue that whether the religion of Christianity is in the favor of women ministry or against it. There are many arguments that support the view of Christian theologies where researchers believe that woman is not created to govern male. According to a thorough research in the context of Christian theology there are many arguments in support or against this opinion. It is important to know that these arguments are taken out purely from the details and interpretations of Bible. One of the most strong points in these arguments is the authentication of these arguments as they are conducted from the holy scripture of Christianity.

It is important to understand that many cultures, across the world, have undergone a series of dramatic shifts in the ways in which they viewed women, which caused a rift within the cultures and church. The traditional model of thinking has always remained somewhat oppressed about the role of women. However, the progressive approach on the other hand tends to minimize the difference that seems to exist between both men and women. James R. Beck further investigates the debate of women's leadership in ministry in his book - Two Views on Women in Ministry. He thoroughly discusses the issue and analyzes it under the guideline of history and religious scriptures. This paper aims to prepare a summary of Beck's aforementioned book and also include its critique to develop deeper understanding of the issue.

Summary

In this book, James R. Beck presents views of different scholars in support or against women's role in the ministry. Beck, in his book, includes four scholarly articles that focus on the Egalitarian and Complementarian perspectives in relation to women's involvement and their role in Christian ministries. The contribution of theological scholars in this book provides an in-depth research work addressing the most vital debate in today's churches to determine whether women should lead and serve as bishop or elder in ministry. The four contributing scholars are Linda L. Belleville, Craig L. Blomberg, Craig S. Keener, and Thomas R. Schreiner.

The Egalitarian perspective effectively encounters the traditional approach where people believe that God created man to act as leader and woman to follow every instruction from males. In this book, Belleville attempts to convince church circles that there should not be any gender discrimination in relation to church or ministerial duties. She further emphasizes that women should be given equal opportunity to lead ministries and authority to perform pastoral duties. In addition, Belleville believes that women and women are equal when it comes to lead church or ministry. In other words, it can be said that Belleville reflects a feminist approach where duties and hierarchies are not gender-specific.

In this book, Belleville claims that women have also been blessed with the similar spiritual attire and gifts as men. It is also important to know that she ...