We’re better than this…
I am deeply saddened by the comments made about Beth Moore by John MacArthur. If you are unaware of the comments, this audio recording is what I am referring to.
I love Beth Moore, and I love John MacArthur. I have a bookshelf full of MacArthur commentaries and Beth Moore Bible studies. Both have been highly influential in my walk with Christ. As a female whose greatest passion in life is studying and teaching the Word of God, this all hit very close to home.
I am not a feminist, and I am not a proponent of the feminist-movement. I’ve been asked many times, why I’m not a feminist. I seem to fit the bill. I’m a female with strong leadership skills, lots of passion, a clear call to ministry, an enneagram 8…I seem to fit the feminist mold. When asked why I’m not a feminist, one of my most common responses is the fact that (by the grace of God) I have been mostly surrounded by men in authority who have been supportive, affirming, encouraging, and empowering along the way. Of course, at times I have encountered men who have been condescending, but I’ve encountered condescending women, as well. We’re all human with shortcomings. But, for the most part, the Christian men in my life have been affirming and not oppressive. They have been uplifting and not destructive. They have been empowering, not intimidating (or intimidated). They have loved the women around them like Christ loves the church. My dad has been at the forefront of this type of male leadership in my life, followed by my husband, youth ministers, pastors, teachers, and coaches along the way. In turn, I have happily submitted to their authority — I believe that’s the biblical model God has laid out for us in Scripture. (You may disagree, but after careful and thorough study of God’s Word, I believe men should lead the church and their homes. Not in oppression, but in love and humility.)
In fact, this is my position on women in leadership:
I believe that men and women are completely equal but unquestionably unique and different. I believe that God has ordained certain roles for men and women in the family and in the church. I believe that women have every capability, intelligence, and gifting to lead as important and irreplaceable members of the Church. I believe that women are indwelt by the same powerful Spirit of God and are able to receive every type of gift from the Spirit. There are no gifts that are solely for men, and there are no gifts that are solely for women.
Just as God has clearly outlined in Scripture that a husband should lead as head of the home, I believe that He has ordained for the lead pastor and authority of the church to be a man. This belief is not driven by the inaccurate mentality that women are incapable of leading, but this is driven by the authority of Scripture and the desire to follow the best model that God has laid out for His people in Scripture. I am very comfortable with the belief that women should submit to their godly, loving, servant-hearted husband, and I am just as comfortable with the belief that women in leadership can and should submit to the servant-hearted, Christ-centered leadership of a man as lead pastor of the local church.
Christ is the head of the body, and when all of the members of the body submit to Christ, we are able to complement one another and lead effectively for the Kingdom purposes of God.
(This is all coming from a female who has had the opportunity to teach men and women on Sunday mornings, under the authority of my pastor. I will never turn down an opportunity to share the Gospel. Under the authority of the lead pastor, I am always ready and willing to open the Word of God and lift high the name of Jesus.)
With that being said…
The comments made at John MacArthur’s 50th year in ministry anniversary celebration were disgraceful, distasteful, condescending, and disrespectful. This wasn’t a respectable comment on his beliefs about female preachers, this was a chance to jab a woman who has been one of the most influential and faithful Gospel-centered, Bible teachers in our lifetime. (Who isn’t even trying to push herself to become a pastor of a church or push the feminist-movement.) She has faithfully taught and served predominantly women for decades. They mocked her, laughed at her, and told her to “go home” – which has many connotations associated with it. They compared her clear Spirit-led gifting to being a jewelry salesperson on television, and called her narcissistic when she has been such a sacrificial servant of God for DECADES.
I don’t think these men realized what they were doing. But, this oppressive tone about women in general only emboldens the feminist movement and brings more division to the body of Christ. I am deeply saddened.
Women, we are called to lift up our brothers in Christ. Men, you are called to lift up your sisters in Christ. We are all called to live out the Great Commission. Why are we doing the Enemy’s work for him and coming after one another? We are on the same team. We are on the same mission. Let us not oppress or bash one another, but show our love for one another, carrying each other’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Beth Moore, thank you for the impact you have had upon thousands of women. You have blazed trails for the Kingdom of God. You have made the study of the Word of God contagious, approachable, and accessible for women. You have taught us how to love Christ well. I am forever grateful. One of the greatest compliments that I have ever received is this one: “You are going to be the next Beth Moore.” If that means loving Jesus and God’s Word wholeheartedly, there is nothing that I want more in life. You are a dear sister in Christ, and I am forever grateful for you.
Pastor MacArthur, you have been my commentator of choice for years and that will not change. This was a misstep in my opinion. This was painful, but you have done so much good for the Kingdom of God, and I am grateful for your desire to maintain the purity and inerrancy of God’s Word.
I am praying wholeheartedly for a renewal of unity in the body of Christ on all fronts. From our men to our women. May we be people of harmony who spur one another on to love and good deeds. We’re better than this.