Open AccessAlleen voor mannen? Het patriarchale rudiment in de reformatorische ambtstheologie
Author(s) -
Hans−Heinrich Jansen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
theologia reformata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0040-5612
DOI - 10.21827/tr.64.2.105-122
Subject(s) - christian ministry , destiny (iss module) , identity (music) , body of christ , context (archaeology) , theology , sociology , gender studies , new testament , philosophy , aesthetics , history , engineering , archaeology , aerospace engineering
Arguments for excluding women from church office are often grounded in the theologies of creation and ministry. Creation theology rightly preserves the differences between male and female, as does scientific reflection on the dynamics of gender identity. Reflection on gender issues and ministry in New Testament texts, however, provides strong arguments against headship as the core element of ministry and as the divinely intended destiny of a baptized male. This essay argues that Galatians 3:28 does not preserve but transcends identity differences in the new community of love in Christ. That is, the Bible’s patriarchal thought should be understood from within its own socio-cultural context, and the church’s ministry should express this anti-patriarchal characteristic of the body of Christ.