Sexism? No.

January 6, 2006 · Filed Under theology

Ok, I’m slightly worried about making this entry, but I’m still gonna do it. [I know, you're shocked, just like Capt. Renault in Casablanca... ] I’m worried for two reasons:

That by linking to what I consider to be (at best) ignorant theology (aided & abetted by past pastoral malpractice), if not (at worst) outright heresy, I might cause some folks offense and/or confusion, and
That this entry might be construed by some as being, shall we say, malicious, because it’s going to refer to another blog (and blogger) that I’ve never read before today (so, there’s no historical context for my opinion, beyond that gleaned by reading many posts today…)

Even so, I’m still going to do it (obviously) because it’s a topic that is quite common in today’s social & theological environments.

Yesterday, a message came across the CAT41 TableTalk mailing list that pointed to a blog posting in which the blogger lobbed the grenade of sexism at the LCMS (see: http://brendagrolle.blogspot.com/2005/10/lcms-and-sexism.html). It was also problematic in that it brought out into stark relief the sad state of theological understanding and apologetics amongst the upper echelons of the LCMS political hierarchy (e.g., at the District President level).

A visit to the blog to read the entry, the subsequent reading of other postings there, and a visit to the discussion forum that the blogger uses instead of enabling comment-based discussions to her postings, yielded a disturbing glimpse of the level to which emotionalism & feminist theologies have infected the LCMS. Such an infection is neither new, nor unique, to the LCMS mind you, but it’s still greatly troubling to see them so staunchly defended to their logical conclusions (e.g., the rendering of Holy Scripture as a cultural relic & example of “patriarchy,” written by “chauvinists” like St. Paul, that has been used to keep women “in their place” over the centuries — I mean, setting the inspired writings of Paul over & against Christ Himself? Please spare me such heretical drivel!).

I’m not sure exactly what can come of reading & commenting on such error. Perhaps nothing more than an increased awareness that we are constantly engaged in battle with the wily foe, along with the reaffirmation that we must always pray for the loving & protective deliverance of all sinners. I certainly wish neither for anyone to be drawn astray, nor for anyone to be offended; however, error needs to be brought to light, and public error can (and must) be called to public account.

-ghp

This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Tags: relativism, society, spirituality, theology, truth