I have had a lot of conversations lately regarding Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Because of this, I thought I would post the Danvers statement, which I firmly stand behind. I realize some of you will agree, some will disagree and some just won’t care, but I believe this topic plays a major role in the future of the Church. You can find more information here. www.cbmw.orgAffirmations
Based on our understanding of Biblical teachings, we affirm the following:
1. Both Adam and Eve were created in God's image, equal before God as persons and distinct in their manhood and womanhood (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18).
2. Distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God as part of the created order, and should find an echo in every human heart (Gen 2:18, 21-24; 1 Cor 11:7-9; 1 Tim 2:12-14).
3. Adam's headship in marriage was established by God before the Fall, and was not a result of sin (Gen 2:16-18, 21-24, 3:1-13; 1 Cor 11:7-9).
4. The Fall introduced distortions into the relationships between men and women (Gen 3:1-7, 12, 16).
In the home, the husband's loving, humble headship tends to be replaced by domination or passivity; the wife's intelligent,
willing submission tends to be replaced by usurpation or servility.
In the church, sin inclines men toward a worldly love of power or an abdication of spiritual responsibility, and inclines
women to resist limitations on their roles or to neglect the use of their gifts in appropriate ministries.
5. The Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, manifests the equally high value and dignity which God attached to the
roles of both men and women (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18; Gal 3:28). Both Old and New Testaments also affirm the principle of
male headship in the family and in the covenant community (Gen 2:18; Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Tim 2:11-15).
6. Redemption in Christ aims at removing the distortions introduced by the curse.
In the family, husbands should forsake harsh or selfish leadership and grow in love and care for their wives; wives should
forsake resistance to their husbands' authority and grow in willing, joyful submission to their husbands' leadership (Eph
5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; Tit 2:3-5; 1 Pet 3:1-7).
In the church, redemption in Christ gives men and women an equal share in the blessings of salvation; nevertheless, some
governing and teaching roles within the church are restricted to men (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 11:2-16; 1 Tim 2:11-15).
7. In all of life Christ is the supreme authority and guide for men and women, so that no earthly submission-domestic, religious, or civil-ever implies a mandate to follow a human authority into sin (Dan 3:10-18; Acts 4:19-20, 5:27-29; 1 Pet 3:1-2).
8. In both men and women a heartfelt sense of call to ministry should never be used to set aside Biblical criteria for particular ministries (1 Tim 2:11-15, 3:1-13; Tit 1:5-9). Rather, Biblical teaching should remain the authority for testing our subjective discernment of God's will.
9. With half the world's population outside the reach of indigenous evangelism; with countless other lost people in those societies that have heard the gospel; with the stresses and miseries of sickness, malnutrition, homelessness, illiteracy, ignorance, aging, addiction, crime, incarceration, neuroses, and loneliness, no man or woman who feels a passion from God to make His grace known in word and deed need ever live without a fulfilling ministry for the glory of Christ and the good of this fallen world (1 Cor 12:7-21).
10. We are convinced that a denial or neglect of these principles will lead to increasingly destructive consequences in our families, our churches, and the culture at large.
Based on our understanding of Biblical teachings, we affirm the following:
1. Both Adam and Eve were created in God's image, equal before God as persons and distinct in their manhood and womanhood (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18).
2. Distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God as part of the created order, and should find an echo in every human heart (Gen 2:18, 21-24; 1 Cor 11:7-9; 1 Tim 2:12-14).
3. Adam's headship in marriage was established by God before the Fall, and was not a result of sin (Gen 2:16-18, 21-24, 3:1-13; 1 Cor 11:7-9).
4. The Fall introduced distortions into the relationships between men and women (Gen 3:1-7, 12, 16).
In the home, the husband's loving, humble headship tends to be replaced by domination or passivity; the wife's intelligent,
willing submission tends to be replaced by usurpation or servility.
In the church, sin inclines men toward a worldly love of power or an abdication of spiritual responsibility, and inclines
women to resist limitations on their roles or to neglect the use of their gifts in appropriate ministries.
5. The Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, manifests the equally high value and dignity which God attached to the
roles of both men and women (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18; Gal 3:28). Both Old and New Testaments also affirm the principle of
male headship in the family and in the covenant community (Gen 2:18; Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Tim 2:11-15).
6. Redemption in Christ aims at removing the distortions introduced by the curse.
In the family, husbands should forsake harsh or selfish leadership and grow in love and care for their wives; wives should
forsake resistance to their husbands' authority and grow in willing, joyful submission to their husbands' leadership (Eph
5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; Tit 2:3-5; 1 Pet 3:1-7).
In the church, redemption in Christ gives men and women an equal share in the blessings of salvation; nevertheless, some
governing and teaching roles within the church are restricted to men (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 11:2-16; 1 Tim 2:11-15).
7. In all of life Christ is the supreme authority and guide for men and women, so that no earthly submission-domestic, religious, or civil-ever implies a mandate to follow a human authority into sin (Dan 3:10-18; Acts 4:19-20, 5:27-29; 1 Pet 3:1-2).
8. In both men and women a heartfelt sense of call to ministry should never be used to set aside Biblical criteria for particular ministries (1 Tim 2:11-15, 3:1-13; Tit 1:5-9). Rather, Biblical teaching should remain the authority for testing our subjective discernment of God's will.
9. With half the world's population outside the reach of indigenous evangelism; with countless other lost people in those societies that have heard the gospel; with the stresses and miseries of sickness, malnutrition, homelessness, illiteracy, ignorance, aging, addiction, crime, incarceration, neuroses, and loneliness, no man or woman who feels a passion from God to make His grace known in word and deed need ever live without a fulfilling ministry for the glory of Christ and the good of this fallen world (1 Cor 12:7-21).
10. We are convinced that a denial or neglect of these principles will lead to increasingly destructive consequences in our families, our churches, and the culture at large.
6 comments:
I'd actually like to hear or rather see your thoughts on all this rather than reading other's thoughts of this topic :-)
I'll comment on that instead.
Mark-
As you know, I usually like to write my own thoughts on different topics. However, in this case I believe any attempt on my part to redefine the Danvers statement would only do injustice to the original. Because of this, I would rather say that I completely stand behind the statement and fully support what the "The Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood" are trying to accomplish.
My guess is then this isn't an internalized understanding but merely a regurgation that in real life is hard to define for you. Just my guess though. So, if you can't "put into your own words" as they used to say in english class at school, then what's the point of posting such a thing? I wasn't asking you to "redefine", i was merely asking your thoughts on the topic, which means to say, what do you think about the topic even if it's someone else's topic...I'd love to read your thoughts on the 10 points Danvers came up with. I'm glad whoever wrote this had their thoughts, maybe you could expound on them and tell how it affects you and your world everyday and what not. This whole thing doesn't seem like it "button's up" any debate but rather leaves some areas rather ambiguous. So, if you have time or care, i'd love to hear it or read it and i'm sure i'm not the only one.
His Peace, to you my friend :)
Mark-
I think you have miss analyzed my understanding and reason for posting this. As much as I would love to go though and rework every point in my own words I simply do not have the time, which is why I posted it as is. What specific things do you find ambiguous? Do you disagree with the statement? If so, what things do you disagree with?
I guess the ambiguous part for me is seeing how these points work out for you in your life, whether personal, ministry or work related. The post says a lot of things but i'm wondering how does it apply to you or anyone really...that's what i'd like to know about your thoughts on. To say you agree with something without a way to see how it applies leaves it a bit ambiguous. For example: "women to resist limitations on their roles or to neglect the use of their gifts in appropriate ministries"
The "roles" are never addressed on either side. And on point 6 I think they also left out the part about mutual submission.
Don't get me wrong, men and women are equal in the Father's eyes. I do believe that we are different not only in plumbing, but also in internal make-up. These points tell us to stick to our roles or the fall of civilization will follow but it fails to mention what those are and how they play themselves out within the life of actual people. This is where I was hoping to get your viewpoint and possible clearity on where you stand on the issue. Because it seems to me that inorder to answer someone's question, since you've "had a lot of conversations lately", you would want to answer it on a more personal level where these ideas and your daily life connect, and if that's too personal at least where these points and anyone's life would intersect. That's what i'm getting at. I could agree with these points but you don't know how far that goes in my own life without me clarifying, ya know? Anyway hope that helps and if nothing else at least you and i are discussing this even if no one else wants to jump in. I love to post these things because i know there are those who want to ask, but don't and this way it helps flesh this stuff out. :-) Thanks for understanding and knowing this isn't an attack by any means! Love you hommie! His Peace to you and all who dare to read and maybe even respond!
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
Post a Comment