John Piper created quite the internet firestorm when he said that women should not teach aspiring pastors in seminary.
In a recent blog, Piper says:
the attempt to distinguish the seminary teaching role from the pastoral teaching role in such a way that the biblical restriction to men does not apply to the seminary teaching results in a serious inconsistency. That’s my argument.
The inconsistency is this: the more one succeeds in distinguishing the seminary teacher from the pastor teacher, the more one fails to provide the kind of seminary education enriched by the modeling of experienced pastor-mentors. In other words, in seeking to justify women teacher-mentors for aspiring pastors, one will be hard put to stress that they’re not in the same category as pastors, and thus, as we believe, out of step with the Scriptures. …
Let me put it another way in the form of a question. If it is unbiblical to have women as pastors, how can it be biblical to have women who function in formal teaching and mentoring capacities to train and fit pastors for the very calling from which the mentors themselves are excluded? I don’t think that works. The issue is always that inconsistency. If you strive to carve up teaching in such a way that it’s suitable for women, it ceases to be suitable as seminary teaching.
Both men and women were outraged at the theologian’s commentary.
Legalism always begets more legalism. “Women can’t teach theology to men, but to boys.”
Ok, so when does a boy become a man? 13? 18? 25?
Bible doesn’t say, so go ahead @JohnPiper & friends; make up more nonsensical rules, then call it “biblical” to manipulate the masses.
— Jory Micah (@jorymicah) Jan. 22, 2018
At least John Piper is clear- women should not be teaching elders- in the church or the seminary. Such an improvished [sic] view of humanity, the church & the seminary. https://t.co/uqSVFeBx31
— Cheryl Bridges Johns (@cb_johns) Jan. 22, 2018
I’m a New Testament professor at Denver Seminary, and I feel deflated this morning. But in the classroom, my expertise and gifts get a chance to speak for themselves, and usually I see at least a few minds change. Fortunately, John Piper’s opinion doesn’t define my calling.
— Erin Heim (@Doctrixerinheim) Jan. 22, 2018
I spent 29 of my 30 years believing I mattered less to God because I’m a woman. Studying His Word has shown me this year the absolute PRIVILEGE it is to be a Daughter of God—so now I can handle these kinds of statements without feeling less than and worthless.
— Mackenzie Byersdorf (@mackbyersdorf) Jan. 22, 2018
Plz contact Priscilla and let her know that only AQUILLA should be teaching Apollos because ppl might wonder: If Apollos has a female mentor, why can’t his mentor also be a pastor?
— David Schell (@DavidMSchell) Jan. 22, 2018
I mean this in the utmost respect for both of us and also the dignity of my own call.
I don’t need John Piper’s approval. Neither do you.
Signed – Reverend Jes Kast, Ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament
— Jes Kast (@JesKast) Jan. 23, 2018
I understand why some folks choose to be complementarian. I really do. But to believe that men cannot or should not learn from women professors in seminary strikes me as fear-based and unjustifiable. What’s up with this @JohnPiper? https://t.co/PkLsYoLvGS
— Dorothy L. Greco (@DorothyGreco) Jan. 23, 2018
But Piper did have some supporters:
Who can teach in a seminary? Men, women, both? (I think @JohnPiper answered correctly.) https://t.co/zOHpP8MtAS pic.twitter.com/y5agbU5khe
— Denny Burk (@DennyBurk) Jan. 22, 2018
If your “calling” includes having a teaching authority over men, it isn’t from God. That isn’t men playing God. It’s what the Bible says. A :90 video https://t.co/GEUS0HOkTv
— Gabriel Hughes (@Pastor_Gabe) Jan. 22, 2018
What do you think? Sound off below!
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