Some Wise Rules of Engagement

The interpretation of Scripture sits at the heart of the gender debate. Egalitarians and evangelical feminists employ a variety of hermeneutical methodologies to reach their conclusions. One such method has been popularized over the past few years by William Webb in his book Slaves, Women & Homosexuals [for Thomas Schreiner's review, see here]. There, Webb argues that Scripture is to be understood through a cultural trajectory that leads to egalitarian conclusions [for Wayne Grudem's analysis of Webb's thesis, see here]. The latest hermeneutical method comes courtesy of Scot McKnight's book, The Blue Parakeet, and asserts that Scripture contains odd, isolated verses (blue parakeets) that are difficult to understand and thus do not fit into the mold in which historic orthodoxy has cast them [for Thomas Schreiner's review, see here]. McKnight uses this method to arrive at egalitarian conclusions. There have been a number of other approaches to Scripture that seem to have been calibrated to arrive at the egalitarian viewpoint.

Complementarians have been making essentially the same arguments throughout the history of the debate: take the Bible at face value on gender as well as most other matters. No new methods have been necessary to arrive at what the Bible clearly says. Recently, Tom Lyon wrote an article for The Banner of Truth magazine entitled "Our Posture Before the Word of God," that provides a good summary of how I believe all Christians should humbly approach the Bible on the gender issue as well as on every other doctrine. Let's call these "Twelve Rules of Engagement." All Christians of every theological stripe would be well served by following them.

1. If I find something with which I cannot agree, I am wrong.
2. If I find something which I cannot understand, I am wrong to judge it on that account. Here Lyons gives an unforgettable quote from the great D.M. Lloyd-Jones: "You have a very small brain and you have a very poor spirit within you; do not be surprised that you cannot understand."
3. If I find something which would contradict the clear teaching of Scripture elsewhere, I cannot be right.
4. If I find something which would slander the revealed character of God, I am certainly wrong.
5. If I find something which brings up an apparent contradiction, I am wrong not to face it squarely.
6. If I find something which leads to a summary principle, I am wrong if I do not follow it to its conclusion.
7. If I find something which disturbs my settled convictions, I am wrong to dismiss it on that account.
8. If I find something which calls for decisive action and I remain inert, I am fatally wrong.
9. If I find something which I dare not follow in its practical drift, I am destructively wrong.
10. If I find something which others blush to admit or struggle to avoid, I am unwise to follow them at that point. A great quote from Calvin: "The delicacy of those who affect an appearance of greater prudence than the Holy Spirit in removing or resolving difficulties, is quite intolerable."
11. If I find something upon which popular religion frowns, I may presume I am on the right track. C.H. Spurgeon famously said, "Be assured there is nothing new in theology except that which is false."
12. If I find something which would tend to humble man and glorify God, I am most probably right.

With absolute humility, driven by God's matchless grace, let us strive to approach God's Word with a profound sense of reverence and awe.