In “A Letter to My Brothers,” Beth wrote of the often awkward and uneasy reality of being a woman who wrote Bible studies in a world of complementarian men. But she observed something deeper than having to relate to complementarians and evangelicals:
I came face to face with one of the most demoralizing realizations of my adult life: Scripture was not the reason for the colossal disregard and disrespect of women among many of these men. It was only the excuse. Sin was the reason. Ungodliness.
After sharing real examples from her own experience, she made an appeal:
I’m asking that you would simply have no tolerance for misogyny and dismissiveness toward women in your spheres of influence. I’m asking for your deliberate and clearly conveyed influence toward the imitation of Christ in his attitude and actions toward women.
That same day, Thabiti responded with a post in which he apologized for words spoken behind closed doors about Beth Moore. Thabiti said in part:
I’ve been in rooms where your name was mentioned with disparaging tone. And rather than ask a few basic questions (how do you know this about her, do you have any evidence you can point us to, and so on), I said and did nothing. I wasn’t any different from Saul standing by holding clothes while Stephen was stoned.
Although I was not in those rooms he mentions, I know the rooms that Thabiti is talking about and I’ve warned Beth Moore about who said those words.
Complementarianism, Misogyny
Let me be clear, I’m not trying to make a case about egalitarianism and complementarianism in this short article. Both Beth Moore and Aimee Byrd have ministered in complementarian denominations, and have made their cases to their brothers and sisters in those contexts. They can describe and define their own views just fine—they don’t need me to do that for them. However, I just ordered Byrd’s Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: How the Church Needs to Rediscover Her Purpose to learn more about her approach.
But, what both of these situations show is that the Venn diagram of reformed, complementarian, and misogynist has a pretty significant overlap that some people of character—men and women together—need to address in those movements.
That at least involves the OPC and PCA, and from my up-close and personal observations, plenty of spaces in the SBC.
Now, let me be clear. We are often quick to get defensive whenever anyone challenges our views. But we rarely spend the same amount of time addressing behaviors that are deeply hurtful to our sisters and dishonoring to Christ.
My friend Amy Whitfield put it this way while on an SBC panel:
The discussion surrounding complementarianism is very different than any other theological debate, because everything about it is incredibly personal. The way this debate is handled directly impacts the way we are treated.
Then, when these discussions descend into derogatory comments about women, we need to call it what it is.
That is misogyny.
What Now?
It is easy to be upset, and that’s actually an appropriate response. But, we also need some response and some possible solutions. Beth Moore has already given some in her open letter, but let me share a bit more, addressed to some of the men involved.
First, some of the men in complementarianism need to, well, act like men.
Manly courage is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:13, translated different ways, but certainly needed today. It literally means to have manly courage, and some translations (like the NIV) just translate it “courageous,” which others (ESV) say, “Act like men.”
That’s the courage needed right now as the light has been shown in the Geneva Commons Facebook page. Yet, several of those men that Aimee Byrd called out have deleted or made private their accounts. There is a better way—having the courage to repent.
Put another way, some of these complementarians need to have the courage to live out the phrase they have thrown around—to act like men.
Second, where have the other people who were in that room with Thabiti been?
I hope they’ve called Beth Moore. Today, some additional people need to call Aimee Byrd.
Third, we men have a responsibility to step in and speak up when we see inappropriate behavior or speech concerning women.
This is not just a complementarian issue; it’s a Christian issue and it’s a Christian responsibility—which means that is is also my responsibility.
Men, let’s make it inconceivable that anyone in our contexts would make backroom comments about women’s appearance and inappropriate humor in general. Let’s not be afraid of our social status to the point that we don’t speak up.
Bold and Clear
The OPC and the PCA have some work to do since the truth has shed the uncomfortable light. But, it’s not just there. It’s in far too many places. How many women would feel more affirmed in their faith if they were treated as sisters in Christ rather than slighted for their gender?
We can do better. We must. And, today is a good day to start by engaging misogyny boldly and clearly.
This article originally appeared here.
