Hermenuetics

Comments

In answer to the first statement in the last paragraph, I don't think he is making that comparison.

Posted By: alison | July 22, 2009 11:34 AM

I agree with alison- I don't see that Carter is making such an assertion. I would, however, argue that refusing to ordain women is at least near the foundation that justifies greater injustice. The solution in the US is a fairly simple one: go to another church. Unfortunately this won't work in countries where women are quite literally the property of men who would see them killed for not hiding under a cloth and accepting their utter inferiority in silence. Kudos to Carter for speaking out against doctrines of female subservience.

Posted By: tyaddow | July 22, 2009 12:28 PM

Carter is a conflicted thinker. He fails to see the contradictions in the things he espouses. In this regard of women's issues he highly favors Muslims in the Middle East to the detriment of those they religiously oppress (basically all non-Muslims); and I (we) have yet to hear him denounce their egregious treatment of women in the many conversations he has had with them through the years. He continually denounces Israel, whose treatment of women not only as equals, but as worthy of honor and respect, never receives his commendation, only his curses. Fellow liberals follow in his train. Carter and his ilk are the last voices worthy of being heard on this subject.

Posted By: Stephen Leonard | July 22, 2009 6:49 PM

This is a perfect example of why you need to read every scripture and its context when doing Biblical research. The Bible teaches equality between the genders and it also teaches that males and females have different roles in the home and church. It does not teach that these roles apply in other places. I have two female supervisors at my place of work. I respect them in their roles as a manager over me. It does not contradict how I view my role at home as a Husband to my wife.

I read former President Carters entire article. He is very confused about what the Bible teaches and he is spreading his ignorance to others. I have read the Bible and the Quran. The way each looks at women is vastly different. The Bible does not condone the beating (even lightly) of a wife. The Quran does. When we share the Gospel of Christ we do it out of love and if some one rejects it, we are still to treat them as people who bear the image of God. The Quran says to kill those who disagree with you. There are many differences between these religions and we need to let people know. Especially when the world tries to lump all religions together.

Posted By: Billy Reed | July 23, 2009 11:07 AM

I looked up the Maranatha Baptist website, thanks for including the link. "President Carter" is mentioned more than Jesus Christ. The Southern Baptist Convention is made up of churches, individuals have their membership in churches. If former President Carter wishes to leave Southern Baptist, he has to give up membership in a church affiliated with Southern Baptist, period. Any "announcements" are publicity stunts. Viewing the Bible to have different roles for men and women, while still seeing men and women as equals before God bothers Mr. Carter, he needs to join a denomination that he agrees with. (Don't think the Methodists want him, I have a cousin who preaches in that denomination, maybe he could try Episcopal or some of the liberal Lutherans.) I really wish however, that he would take his complaints about the treatment of women to his good friends the Muslims. Any American or European Christian woman who does not like her church's interpretation of Scripture is free to join one that she does agree with. Muslim women are not free to opt out of honor killings, arranged marriages, being stoned if they are raped, having to wear veils or burkas, or genital mutilation. So, why doesn't he talk to the Muslims about women's rights.

Posted By: Elizabeth | July 23, 2009 11:47 PM

I'm surprised at the contention that Carter does not speak out against gender inequality in the Muslim world, particularly because it's not true. I assume it is to mask the shame of accepting the gender inequality of fundamentalist Christianity. Billy said:

The Bible teaches equality between the genders and it also teaches that males and females have different roles in the home and church

Let's be honest here- the Bible certainly does not teach gender equality, and the suggestion betrays both an acknowledgment of the need for gender equality and a reinterpretation of the bible according to current mores. Wives submitting to husbands as they would to Christ is anything but "equality", unless you are suggesting that people are equal to Christ- if so, please show me some scriptural backing for that gem. Carter has a clear handle on the issue, whether or not his exit from the SBC is an act of consciousness-raising (or "political" if you want to skew the motive).

Fundamentalist Christianity mostly avoids the oppression and violence of more extreme religious sects, but less of this cancer in our society is not ideal. Let's work for gender equality and not point to worse instances to prop ourselves up.

Posted By: tyaddow | July 24, 2009 7:55 AM

I certainly think there are strong hints at gender equality in scripture and we should not ignore them any more than we ignore the places that are not examples of gender equality. There are 2 creation stories. One shows Male and Female being created together, both in the image of God. The other does not and has an implication of women as helpers to men.

There is the passage that says that in Christ there is neither "male or female, slave or free, Greek or gentile". We certainly don't usually say that slavery is right, but there are many scripture that allow for slavery.

And the grand daddy scripture of female subjugation is submit to your husband as they would to Christ. But that scripture is in direct context of the husband also submitting to the wife. Advocating female submission without mutual submission is a direct contradiction of the scripture and its real meaning.

So Carter has some real and valid points.

As to the membership in the SBC issue, there is no membership in the SBC. There is participation. There is no official way if you have participated in the past to withdraw from the SBC.

Posted By: Adam S | July 24, 2009 10:27 AM

I am one who finds the former president mostly even, balanced and wise in his comments about biblical truths. I have an awareness that there are many "so-called protestant christians" who want the Bible to fit into their cultural beliefs. Unfortunately, the result is that those who believe that women are not equal, that the Lord values us differently, that we must force others to acquiesce to their doctrinal interpretations will isolate texts in the scripture to justify the toxicity we have in the religious atmosphere. It is understandable why "religions" are being less respected in this age. If we are to be representatives of Christ, why not talk more like him! I hope folk will STUDY FOR THEMSELVES and invite the Lord to lead. Try not to be impressed with those who use sarcasm and crude humor as imposters of christianity.

Posted By: Delois Winston | July 26, 2009 2:07 PM

I have read the statement put out by President Carter and the thing that troubles me has nothing to do with women, gender or their place in the church.

Did anyone else find the whole, "The Elders" part a little troubling? So, this group organized by Nelson Mandela...they will do what exactly? Just talk? or will they try to find ways to take legal action against the church and religion on the basis of human rights violations.

Frankly, I am more concerned with this eery group of elder statesmen and their agenda. There is no mention of how they are going to pursue advocating for human rights issues.

Posted By: Lisa | July 29, 2009 6:04 PM