WIC/CE&P, Covenant, Westminster, Tenth, and ACE preacher and speaker holds membership in feminist organization...

Thanks much for sharing this. Diane taught a class at WTS on men in ministry and the temptations of porn. It was actually quite good. But they certainly did not advertise that Dr. Langberg was part of CBE.

What would you gents say to the announcement by Westminster Seminary in California that the Fall speaker for the student association is Dr. Esther Meek? Here's the announcement:

It is our distinct pleasure to announce Dr. Esther Meek as the WSA Fall 2008 speaker on October 14, 2008.

"Every semester the WSA tries to bring to campus scholars who are experts in their field and especially those who have influenced our own development through their writings which are used in the coursework here at WSC."

"This semester is no exception. Dr. Meek is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Geneva College and is the author of Longing to Know which is required reading for Dr. Horton’s Christian Mind course. Dr. Meek will be giving the Convocation Lecture to the entire Seminary community at 10:00 on Tuesday, October 14 (lecture topic TBD); followed by a discussion of “Longing to Know” in the first hour of Christian Mind from 11:20-12:15. As is our tradition, there will then be a pizza lunch for the student body where Dr. Meek will be fielding questions from students from 12:15-1:00."

Tim and David:

Thank you so much for bringing these issues up and for challenging so effectively Diane Langberg’s membership with the CBE. The CBE is indeed a troubling lot.

I find their statement of egalitarian beliefs, as mentioned above, generally untenable, although I had a question about their view of the Fall with respect to Adam and Eve’s seeming shared responsibility. Let me know your thinking here.

Simply put, this position seems out of conformity to the Westminster standards. In fact, doesn’t the Confession clearly teach the uniqueness of Adam’s culpability – as he is the federal head of the race? “As in Adam, we all sinned.” Arguing for a seeming equality of participation, as does the CBE statement of belief, undermines the important Reformed doctrine of imputation.

We seem to have dueling confessions here. Any affirmation of the CBE statement of Faith on the issue of the Fall clearly runs counter to the teaching of the Westminster Confession. The Confession and Scripture hold Adam (not Eve) ultimately responsible for the fall. Consequently, those who contend for Adam and Eve’s co-participation and equal culpability in the Fall are, quite frankly, biblically mistaken and (from a Presbyterian position) confessionally wrong. What do you think?

From the CBE Statement of Faith - Application section:

"In the church, spiritual gifts of women and men are to be recognized, developed and used in serving and teaching ministries at all levels of involvement: as small group leaders, counselors,

facilitators, administrators, ushers, communion servers, and board members, and in pastoral care, teaching, preaching, and worship.

In so doing, the church will honor God as the source of spiritual gifts. The church will also fulfill God's mandate of stewardship without the appalling loss to God's kingdom that results when half of the church's members are excluded from positions of responsibility." (emphasis mine)

Clearly, this statement is not consistent with the biblical standard: "Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor." -1 Tim. 2:11-14. (emphasis mine)

Notice, a woman shouldn't exercise authority over men or teach men for two reasons: 1. Creation; and 2. The Fall. That's it. It is not a matter of gifting, personality, effectiveness, wisdom, oratory skill, or eloquence. Man was created first and Eve was deceived in the garden. Period. Now... even in a postmodern culture such as ours, that's not too hard to understand is it? I mean, I even went to public high-school years ago and understand it perfectly :-).

There are so many ways in which women can faithfully and profoundly serve the Lord and use their spiritual gifts for the benefit of the entire body of Christ and bring Him glory. Only this one office and function is prohibited. They cannot teach men or hold the office of pastor/teacher within the church exercising authority over men. And I would also extend this to Bible conferences where the church universal is gathered as well for the express purpose of God's Word being expounded. Prayer, giving a testimony of God's grace in their lives, singing, etc. are different and not prohibited by the Bible. But, I believe any gathering of God's people where they are being trained biblically would be out of bounds Scripturally and implicitly understood in the biblical record.

Question: so why would women, in the slightest way, want to violate or even stress the bounds of Scripture by thinking that "the venue" or "the day of the week" of God's people coming together to learn from the Word decides whether or not the truth of God's Word is honored concerning this issue?

God forbid that anyone of us would play politics or do the Nashville Two-Step with His truth pragmatically in order to satisfy their own cultural moorings and selfish proclivities. Anytime I see a woman in a local church setting, Bible conference, on Christian TV or broadcast on radio - teaching or preaching God's Word to men... I am convinced what I am seeing is Eve in the Garden being deceived and disobedient to God's command... again. And what ignominy on the men for tacitly giving their approval and for allowing this to happen as well.

I have the utmost respect for A.C.E. and in specific Dr.'s Mohler and Carson. It could be that they may not be aware of this situation where a woman is sharing the pulpit with them at this conference... Christian charity should extend respect and grace to them at this point until it is otherwise confirmed that they are complicit with her "to share God's truths from Scripture" as the conference ad states. Hopefully they would recant their participation if they knew.

Egalitarianism cannot be tolerated within the Christian community: it erodes the authority and veracity of Scripture, weakens the body of Christ in ministry, undercuts biblical authority within the local church, and therefore, ultimately brings dishonor to the name and gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This issue should be a deal breaker for those within the Reformed community; but sadly, it doesn't seem to be the case.

Thank you for taking a stand on this issue brother.

Grace and peace,

Steve

2 Cor. 4:5-7

Concerned,

The core of Egalitarianism is a rejection of sexual orthodoxy. Your question about abuse is a good one and, in my experience, nearly every Egalitarian woman I knew sooner or later revealed significant abuse or neglect at the hands of a male in authority - whether father, husband, pastor, etc. I wouldn't say it is a core of Egalitarianism, but I think such experiences do set people up to believe the lie.

Kamilla

I wonder if any of your readers know that your articles include information that is simply not true. Diane Langberg is not a member of the organization Christians for Biblical authority. Speaking at an event does not mean she agrees with them. Does anyone know or care what her topic was? At the Princeton conference she was a workshop speaker, not a main speaker. In Atlanta she spoke to a gathering of women. Has anyone contacted her, or anyone else you are attacking about your concerns? If not, you are violating the Scriptures.