Men and the Church (3)

Musing further, it occurs to me that it may be helpful to be able to distinguish between sex and gender in this discussion.

The biological fact of the distinct sexes is affirmed as part of God's creation in Genesis. We can make a distinction between this and gender, by understanding gender as an "individual's self-conception as being male or female, as distinguished from actual biological sex". Disagreements will often arise amongst Christians with regard to what degree or in what way the fact of our sex brings with it, in the light of revelation, moral imperatives concerning our gender.

Scripture affirms the distinct sexes. Does it demand we form particular ideas of gender?

In making this distinction, it seems all the more difficult not to address passages such as Ephesians 5 and 1 Corinthians 11. Are there any other passages which need to be addressed?

Men and the Church (2)

Here is some qualification on the earlier post.

Firstly, the Church is incredibly varied and I can only speak for my experience of the Western (largely evangelical) and British angle of things.

Secondly, I began the earlier post by arguing that conventional masculinity could be said to have been dramatically called into question by the Lordship of Christ. While this may be true, this hasn't stopped males dominating the hierarchy (?!) of the Church for most of its history. The Church in the West has adapted with the prevailing feminist trend in the last forty years and begun to recognise its lack of openness to the fullness of the gifts possessed by women. This has surely brought with it a criticism of the apparently failing (dropping Church attendances and influence on society) male dominated Church. Certainly, from a Reformed perspective, the male who leads through the preaching of the Word does look ... anachronistic. The Church today certainly does not (I'm not arguing it should) think this is sufficient.

So it is better to point out, I think, that the idea of Christ as someone who radically criticises conventional ideas about the place and role of men in society, is a relatively modern one. This is not to say that this criticism is not there in Christ and his work, and that it is purely a modern invention, but that our particular understanding of it and emphasis on it, has come with the modern reassessment of gender outside and inside the Church. To put it simply (thanks Jake), we were patriarchal and this must continue to be regretted; we're now experiencing a matriarchal response; is it possible now to encourage the Church to gain a more balanced position?

Men and the Church

Men were in charge, with occasional exceptions, in the times of the Bible. That is, they were the chief protagonists in culture and politics. They formed governments, raised taxes, executed justice and waged wars. I'm sure a more attractive picture of their activities could be given, and I'm sure that women had a more significant influence than I imply, but anyway ...

Insofar as Jesus' teaching, and the significance of his resurrection and revelation as Lord, calls into question the ultimate significance of all human rulership, and achievement, then Jesus could be said to be criticising forms of masculinity. Feminists rejoice.

But, this risks leaving men broken, criticised and undermined and without a positive ideal. What does it mean to be men? What is good about masculinity? Is it really the case that masculinity must be universally repented of?!

Behind this questioning is an awareness of a trend in the UK of a lack of men in Church. It's possible that at least part of the reason for this is because the Church is embarrassed by masculinity. This may reflect wider 'educated' society which, to be be blunt, views football, 'lads mags' and beer as Neanderthal. Would it be any surprise if our educated laity and clergy wondered equally what on earth masculinity was for?

My hope would be that there may be faithful ways of expressing and living the gospel which don't simply critique masculinity but offer an aspirational model of it. It's tempting to define at this stage what that masculinity is, and then to look for affirmation of those qualities in Scripture. We should probably start further back, however, and trust that Scripture and therefore God will reveal to us what we need, not assume we know what we need and look to God to supply it.

Two small metaphors for theology and some pastoral implications ...

Doctrine is not a cathedral, but rather a mud hut built on solid foundations.

Theology is notes, made in the margin of Scripture.

Paradoxically as it may seem, ministry is not about constructing a coherent belief system from sacred texts and presenting it to a congregation or the world. Instead, ministry is always firstly about divine action, in the past and in the present. We have our role, and it is important, but it is God who reveals himself. Our role is to correct ourselves and each other by pointing each other back to the source of grace.