Editor's Column

In many ways, these are exciting days for biblical complementarianism.

On the one hand, there are clear indications that upholding biblically faithful teaching on questions of gender is promoting a wide-spread humility before God and his word, along with a growing satisfaction in living according to the patterns that he has established for us, his human creation. In my travels over the past several months, I've had opportunity to speak in many settings on various aspects of "the gender debate," as one might call it, and I have found such warm and enthusiastic reception to the clear and wise teaching of Scripture on roles of men and women. Perhaps as we witness denominations like the Anglican and Episcopal churches demonstrate that failure to uphold biblical teaching on the roles of men and women promotes even larger departures on questions of gender requirements for marriage and ordination, others may become even more resolved to seek to understand and obey Scripture rightly on these questions. We realize now, more than ever, that much is at stake-for our marriages, our families, our churches, and for the culture at large-in just how we interpret and live out biblical teaching on gender matters.

On the other hand, there are clear indications that the case for a complementarian understanding of Scripture is standing the test of time, and that alternate proposals from various strands of egalitarian scholarship are bankrupt and hollow. One example of this bankruptcy is seen in the warm reception among many egalitarians that William Webb's Slaves, Women & Homosexuals-reviewed by Thomas Schreiner in JBMW, 7.1 (Spring 2002) 41-51, and also critiqued by Wayne Grudem in his article in this issue-is having, a book which makes its egalitarian case first by agreeing (essentially) with complementarians in their interpretation of New Testament passages! Only then does he invoke his proposal that this NT teaching, however, is not normative for the church today. Rather, we must look beyond the Bible to know how we are to live today. How dangerous, how deeply sad, and how wrong this proposal is. The encouraging point in this, however, is that complementarian interpretations of Scripture are proving true, as tested over and over again, and we rejoice in the steadfast defenses of clear biblical teaching that many faithful supporters of the complementarian position are giving.

So, both offensively and defensively, we see reason to rejoice that the complementarian understanding of Scripture is advancing, despite widespread cultural disdain for this humble, wise, and biblical stance. And, this current issue of JBMW will provide readers with a wealth of resources, both offensively and defensively, for understanding and upholding better the richness and glory of these truths. Our issue begins with an instructive and inspiring article by CBMW's Board chairman, J. Ligon Duncan, and Terry Johnson, commending the practice of family worship, headed and led by fathers in their homes. A theology of worship is joined here with responsible male headship in a way that can assist many families to enter into new levels of freedom and joy, in Christ. Mark David Walton then provides us with a look into the age to come, exploring the question of gender identity in the new creation. As one considers the truth that God created man as male and female, it is only natural to inquire whether gender identity continues, and Waltons essay is richly instructive on this matter.

Wayne Grudem, one of complementarianism's best friends and most productive scholars, has just completed a new book, Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth, to be released soon from Multnomah Press, in which every major (and minor!) egalitarian argument is addressed and answered. Grudem has done the church an enormous service through this upcoming volume, and t is our privilege here to publish an essay from this book expressing some of the reasons why the gender issue matters so much, both in the academy and in the church.

Susie Hawkins presents an intriguing glimpse into Muslim culture in her article on the meaning of the veil within Islam. The contrast between joyful biblical complementarianism and this picture of the life of women in Islam could not be more stark. Daniel Akin, the newly-elected president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, provides us with a clear and insightful sermon on Titus 2, and following this we offer an array of contemporary cultural essays on some of the most pressing issues of our day. Russell D. Moore, R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Nancy DeMoss, and Todd Miles each contributes wisdom and insight into various facets of the current struggle for biblical faithfulness in matters of gender and sexuality.

Our book review this issue comes from our managing editor, Rob Lister, who offers a very helpful overview and critique of J. Lee Grady's recent 25 Tough Questions about Women and the Church. This, along with Gradys previous 10 Lies the Church Tells Women, is leading many into a deeply flawed understanding of the teaching of Scripture. Lister offers some help in showing where this proposal has gone wrong and where the truth may be found. And once again, Lister has compiled the lengthy list of annotated articles on gender issues, this list of articles published in 2003. What a valuable service this is, and our thanks is owed to him.

We hope and pray that this issue of our journal will assist the reader both offensively and defensively. May we see more clearly the truth and wisdom of Gods purpose for men and women, respectively, and may we understand more clearly the errors that must be avoided by all those who long to receive Gods "well done" in the end. May God be honored, and may his truth and grace be embraced by his people, for his glory and our good.