Theological Debate to Feature Complementarian Scholars Grudem and Ware

Does a relationship of authority and submission really exist eternally among the persons of the Godhead?  We know that while Jesus Christ walked the earth he was fully submitted to the Father, while remaining fully equal as God. But has he and will he forever be God, yet also ever in a relationship of submission to the Father? 

It's a very important question. While the commands of Scripture in Ephesians 5:22 for instance, referring to the distinct roles between men and women under God's design are clear— they, as God's Holy Word, need no further defense to be obeyed. Still, what beauty, what wonder, what glory remains to be seen as we peer into the relationship between God the Father and God the Son that the Scriptural authors open to us?

A question that arises out of the above debate is how does the relationship of the Godhead inform our relationships between the sexes? If equality of essence and distinction of roles exist eternally in the trinity, what a strong paradigm that provides for human relations between the genders.

Four evangelical scholars will consider the important question on the nature of the triune Godhead next month in a theological debate set for 7 p.m., Oct. 9 in the chapel at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in Deerfield, Ill.

Defending the non-subordination view will be Tom McCall, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at TEDS and Keith Yandell, who serves as Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Noted scholars Wayne Grudem and Bruce Ware will represent the complementarian position which affirms that a structure of authority and submission will exist for eternity in the Godhead. Both Grudem and Ware are well-known across the evangelical world and both have published extensively on the gender issue.

Grudem is the author of numerous books, including Evangelical Feminism: The New Path to Liberalism? and Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth: An Analysis of More than 100 Disputed Questions. He also co-authored with John Piper the seminal complementarian work, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism. Grudem formerly served as President of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. He presently serves as Research Professor of Bible and Theology at Phoenix Seminary in Phoenix, Ariz.

Ware has also authored several books, including Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles and Relevance, a work which, in part, argues the case for the eternal structure of authority and submission within the Godhead. Ware has also authored numerous important articles "Tampering With the Trinity." Ware presently serves as Professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and is the incoming president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Ware has been actively involved in the ministry of CBMW for many years.

The debate is sponsored by the Henry Center at TEDS. For more information, please see www.henrycenter.org/trinitydebates.php.

This promises to be an important theological event illuminating well the contours of both sides in a complex matter. Join us as we pray, "Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name" (Psalm 86:11, ESV).