Molly Marshall on the Virgin Mary

[Stephen Fox]

A woman of "fierce faith"

http://www.ethicsdaily.com/like-mary-do ... -cms-19015

[Dave Roberts]

A very good article without hitting any of the extremes.

[Gene Scarborough]

[Stephen Fox]

The Magdalene. This came across my radar this morning coincidental to Mollys devotional

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archi ... magdalene/

[Tim Bonney]

[Gene Scarborough]

Stupid men wanting to rule women and make them do as they say and not as they do is a sufficient explaination for me.

Any man who does not recognize how many women do the real work in a given church should certainly have his turn at being the recipient of the committee assignment!

My exparience with men has been sitting on a "board" and making decisions (for the most part) so someone else has to do the work---be it preacher / women / lesser members who are new and want to make a place for themselves. Something about Jesus taking a towel and washing feet comes to mind for me in this area!!!

[Tim Bonney]

That is what is odd Gene. I don't think it is stupid men. I even know some women who have opposed women in ministry. I think we are more bound to our culture at times than we are bound to the Bible.

[Gene Scarborough]

True, Tim.

Our local UMC just had a 2-year assignment of an outstanding lady minister. Despite all she did to renew the fellowship and start some new things, some of them carried on over having a "woman preacher."

The "we have always done it this way" syndrome rules to this day!!!

[Ed Pettibone]

Gene your statement that "The 'we have always done it this way' syndrome rules to this day!!!" Is much to broad. While the "we have always done it this way" syndrome is prevalent in many places it does not rule. in all places. Thanks be to God that Central Seminary with Molly Marshal at the helm has made a number of changes but this piece is evidence that change does not require throwing the baby out with the bath water.

[Gene Scarborough]

Perhaps I should have said: "Ego preservation requires sticking with what you think you know."

One of the best words often cited in theology and biblical classes at SEBTS was "presupposition."

All of us have them. Many of them have no real logic. Times change and we are unwise to put all our trust in the past and run scared of the present and future.

I think it was well-said in the past by a wise observer: "Conservatives are my contemporary ancestors!"

[KeithE]

[Gene Scarborough]

Totally agreed, Keith!

[Dave Roberts]

One of my convictions is that many of us pay lip service to equality between men and women in churches, but we have given very few women the chance to fill the pulpits of our churches, preach for special events, and be the preachers for special emphases. It is easy to say we support women in ministry, but it takes effort to have women deliberately come and practice their preaching skills on our congregations. Also, how many women have we recommended to search committees in our Baptist family? Women deserve more visible support, not just proclaimed support.

[Gene Scarborough]

AGREED!!!!