I did not surrender to a calling of man when I was 18 years old. I surrendered to a calling of God. It never occurs to me for a second to not fulfill it. I will follow Jesus – and Jesus alone – all the way home. And I will see His beautiful face and proclaim, Worthy is the Lamb!
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) October 21, 2019
I imagine it a little like this. I’m in a tailspin, stressed, trying to get everything done. Getting more anxious by the minute, mood worsening, & Jesus is like, “How ya doing this morning, Beth?” Me:”I’ll get to ya in a sec!” Him: “Oh don’t mind me. I’m doing fine. How are YOU?”
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) October 21, 2019
“This is the daily routine of somebody who is trying to justify their disobedience by special, intimate, personal revelation, where Jesus talks only to them,” said MacArthur.
Beth Moore responded to MacArthur comments on female preachers and herself indirectly on Twitter, saying, “These are the weirdest days. I don’t know why it’s not just easier to say we went too far than to just keep doubling down.”
These are the weirdest days. I don’t know why it’s not just easier to say we went too far than to just keep doubling down. That’s the trouble with jobs and positions being dependent on extremism. You feel stuck. Jesus, help us. We’ve gotten ourselves backed into corners.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) November 12, 2019
It is true that Moore has no problem preaching before a congregation at times, as she mentioned in this tweet:
I need you to at least get the right ratio in your head here. I have brought a message from a pulpit in an SBC church service about 15 times in 40 years. If your track record of “obedience” tops that, more power to you. This is over me speaking at an SBC church on MOTHER’S DAY.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) May 9, 2019
But she also said, “I’m gonna take my chances & err on the side of the great commission upon which I was raised IN SBC CHURCHES. I’ve got zero desire to pastor a church but I will proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, which I’ve never believed in more, til the day I die and to anyone who will listen.”
And she challenged people to be alert to Bible teachers who prooftext:
Listen, y’all, I’ve been called out for prooftexting a lot of times & I’ve taken it seriously. I constantly ask God to help me grow in my teaching. But I’m going to tell you this: if you don’t think those who call it out don’t do it themselves where it’s convenient, you’re nuts.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) November 14, 2019
The Danger of Clanging Cymbals
Several Christian leaders responded to the “Go home” uproar by taking issue, not with what MacArthur believes per se, but with how he said it. For example, Sam Allberry said, “If it’s lacking in charity, it’s not orthodoxy. If it demeans and mocks women, it’s not complementarianism.”
Randy Alcorn had a problem with MacArthur’s tone as well. Alcorn was clear that he has learned from both MacArthur and Moore and does not agree with everything that either of them has said. Alcorn also pointed out that he also believes men are called to lead and “carry the primary preaching responsibilities.”
However, he said, “With grace and empathy and careful communication, [John MacArthur] could better represent Scripture and his beliefs about women pastors and preachers, and at the same time, show respect and kindness toward Beth Moore (and other women) as a fellow image-bearer and follower of Christ. Even if you agree 100 percent with John MacArthur’s interpretation of Scripture, surely there is a better way to treat people and convey that position.”
