First Woman in Pulpit at Irving Bible Church...

...Irving Bible Church placed one of their women "pastors" in the pulpit to teach all services this past Sunday.

The funny thing to me is the elders and/or leadership of the church claim that she was "under the authority of an elder board that will continue to be all male". Pardon me, but that would matter because...??????

Here's a link to the story, Irving Bible Church Puts First Woman in the Pulpit

Side note #1: this 'position' was taken at First Baptist Church of Dallas back in the 80's and 90's when Mrs. W. A. Criswell was teaching an adult Sunday School class. Pretty shaky ground to be standing on.

Side note #2: I'm curious (and will attempt to find out through our alumni dept.) whether Ms. Roese is a graduate of DTS. It wouldn't surprise me because DTS has steadily weakened in their position on women in church leadership since the 70's and 80's. Rather ironic (but encouraging) to read that Mark Bailey (current DTS Pres.) has 'distanced' himself from the church.

Side note #3: this also goes to show you can no longer 'trust' a church just because they are a so-called "Bible Church". Gone are the days when anyone can walk into a church with certain expectations and understandings because of the name of the church.

Olga and John Calvin

Many parents expect their daughter to someday bring home a nice young man to meet the family. Imagine our delight when our oldest recently brought John Calvin home with her!

Our Olga works part-time for Grace & Truth Books. Not only does she greatly enjoy the work, she enjoys the opportunity to build her personal library--she's bought some really substantial and foundational works. That's my girl! :-)

Would it surprise you to know...

...that I own a headcovering (I made mine, but it's very similar to the one pictured above) and have used it regularly? And, would it surprise you that I keep it handy since I have no Biblical or personal objections to covering my head if the leadership of a church we visit/attend determines that it is fitting for women to cover their head during worship?

I recall my first encounter with a sister-in-Christ who practiced covering her head in the assembly, it was in the mid-80's while my husband was attending Dallas Theological Seminary. Up until that time the only women I'd ever seen cover their head for 'religious reasons' was the occasional Mennonite women at the grocery or discount store--and even then I'd 'written them off' as odd and old-fashioned.

So when my friend and neighbor, Gaye, came knocking at our apartment door one evening I was more than a bit puzzled when she asked if she could 'borrow a doillie' since she was scheduled to sing in one of the upcoming chapel services at DTS (DTS did not require this, it was Gaye's practice). Keep in mind that this was the 80's and the "country" style of decorating was still quite popular, so I actually had a number of doillies for her to choose from. She selected one that covered just the crown of her head, thanked me and promised to return it in a few days. Thus began my initial quest to understand, and submit to if necessary, the practice of Christian women wearing headcoverings.

I soon found out that I was not alone, as I met other seminary wives (women married to seminary students) who were curious about this practice and were eager to know if it was something they should also consider and embrace. While we enjoyed countless conversations and many 'working lunches' together studying the topic in light of scripture, none of us came to a firm conclusion or conviction that headcoverings were required of us.

However, what I did walk away with was the desire and willingness to submit to--and embrace--the practice if/when I (or my husband) confidently came to a Biblical understanding of it's necessity. Consequently, when we began to attend a small 'Brethern' assembly in the early 90's I was glad that I'd decided to wear a hat that first morning, and subsequently made a trip to the local Wal-Mart where I bought some lace fabric for my own headcovering.

Thanks the time devoted to discussion and study, and time among the 'Brethern' assembly (who by the way, welcomed us in spite of our 'reformed/Calvinistic' theology), I have absolutely 'zero' problem and no reservations whatsoever with joining other Christian women in covering my head when/if called for by the leadership of a church.

I realize that this is not a common or even a popular topic, but I'm still surprised when I hear an attitude of scoffing--even scorn--among women (professing believers) who have admittedly given little to no careful consideration of the practice, but steadfastly renounce it as something 'I could/would never do!'. As Bereans wouldn't the better response and attitude be, 'Maybe I need to study and consider that...'?

Sidenote: while we were in Russia adopting our daughters our translator and our host took us to visit a number of Russian Orthodox churches--I wonder if it surprised them how willingly I (a thoroughly 'modern' American woman) followed their lead and covered my head as we entered their places of worship?

Headcovering photo found at, Headcoverings.com

Spiritual Giant?

By God's providence, I am acquainted with a number of women (all professing believers) currently enduring various trails, physical, emotional, relational, and most definitely spiritual. By His grace I've either been asked to, or have offered to come alongside them and walk with them, encouraging them and reminding them what is true of God and applying those truths to their own lives. It's one of the many joys and blessings of being in the Body of Christ.

Why bother? Why even care? It certainly isn't because I have all the answers, or because "I've arrived", or I'm some sort of "spiritual giant"! No, I do this because I've seen what God has done, what He is more than capable of doing--in my life, your life, so many lives! And because I'm constantly aware that I'm not finished with my race (marathon) yet--I'm still "reaching for the prize" right alongside the rest of you.

Strangely enough, God often ordains that those who we have invested in and strengthened (1 Thess. 5:14) may some day come to our aide and strengthen our hearts, minds, and hands in service and worship to Him. What an amazing and awesome God we serve!

One writer put it this way, "...we are all in the fray and trusting God is the hardest thing we will ever do...only the vision of God's character has the power to restore a sense of order and help us regain a steady footing...not as one who has everything figured out but as someone who is still learning, still has a long way to go, and who still suffers the same old struggle to trust God in the here and now."

Theology MATTERS - God's "Little Princess"????? (!!!!)

Warning: this just may be my first blog "rant"--you be the judge.

You may find this surprising--and a bit disturbing--but I subscribe to a variety online "Christian" e-newsletters. I like to see/read/know what's "coming down the pike" (aka: waves and wind of doctrine) through the Church in our post-modern culture.

I'm sometimes pleasantly surprised and glean some valuable insights, but more often than not I'm saddened and disgusted. The most recent source of concern came from the review of a book written for women which states,

"Even though you don't wear a tiara while doing laundry or ermine robes when grocery shopping, you're a princess nonetheless! Shepherd's collection of adoring letters from the King will help you "polish" your self-image..."

Excuse me, "adoring letters from the King", "polish your self-image"???? Are they honestly claiming that this has been drawn out from the Bible?

On the back cover it says this, "...and we are chosen by Him...", yet in one of the "letters" it says this, "...Remember, it's your choices that will pave your path to life. I will not force you to do anything. I have given you a free will to walk with Me or to walk away from Me. I want you to know that you can put on your crown at any time..." Okay, which is it? Did God choose me, or did I choose Him?

Am I to "glory" in some fanciful/fabricated notion that in God's eyes I am "Daddy's Girl" or His "Princess" (both used freely in the book)? Or am I to glory in the Biblical truth and knowledge that because of Christ's blood sacrifice I have been bought and subsequently brought into communion with the triune God--the very creator of the universe?

Please ladies, if I've misunderstood or misrepresented this book, please tell me! But I'm concerned that this sort of unbiblical writing (and thinking) which appeals to our flesh and our desire to "feel good" simply perpetuates a view of God that does not exist in Scripture and encourages a man-centered theology. Can I "harp" on that enough?

You can find the bookHERE. Oh yes, did I mention the related "Princess" jewelry and doo-dads marketed/available for purchase? Sigh...

Let's talk about girls/women teaching men, okay?

UPDATE (5/4/07): Frank Turk is adding to the discussion HERE


I love it when Xian men take on the topic of women teaching, and Dan's done just that here,
Biblical Christianity: Girls Gone Exegetical! .

This has been a topic near and dear to me over the years for many reasons, here are just a few:

1) In my young charismatic days I was actively pursuing the pastorate. My "model" was Gloria Copeland and I intended to follow in her foot steps. Yes, I'm serious.

2) I applied to ORU (Oral Roberts University) with plans to do graduate work there in theology in preparation for the pastorate.

3) Just before I met my husband the Lord had begun to dramatically changing my theology (a VERY good thing!) , but I still greatly enjoyed studying and discussing the Bible and Xian living.

4) I greatly enjoyed auditing seminary classes while my husband was earning his ThM--I was one of few women in the class.

5) The seminary we attended gradually began to redefine it's mission and purpose for various courses of study to include women in what had previously been designed and restricted to men preparing for the pastorate.

6) I've always been curious why Xian women tend to avoid theology--studying and discussing.

I hope you'll go on over and read Dan's post plus the comments. Then, I hope you'll either post your thoughts there, or come back over here and comment!

Effeminizing the Church (Part 1)

Hmmmm, this probably explains why I don't buy many books from "mainline" Xian bookstores:

"Evangelical publishers are some of the worse culprits in keeping this trend (effeminizing the church) going. Since women buy some 75% of the evangelical books published in America, publishers are primarily interested in publishing books that appeal to women. Thus the push to feminize everything in the church is a driving force in the Christian publishing industry." (from Session Four of the "Time to Act Like Men" conference)

Women and theology

(This post has been in my heart for years, on my mind for months, and in my "draft" folder for weeks. But yesterday when I read this, "Realizing that other women share my interest in theology and deep thought has been such a relief to me. After a very long time, I realized that I'm not nearly as weird as I first thought." , by Kim at "Upward Call", I decided the time is right for my post...)

One of my earliest posts here at "Practicing Theology" was, "Who's afraid of the big bad wolf (aka theology)?", I asked women to share why they appeared to avoid theology. I also shared that as a woman I perceived myself to be in the minority in my interest, and very often discovered that I was the only woman present in most theological discussions--formal or informal, spectator or active participant.

Several weeks after that post I become aware--via another woman's blog--of a book by an author I'd never read before, and up until then had never heard of. I was drawn to the book because the author had taken on the task of encouraging Xian women to embrace theology rather than shun it. Careful not to "waste" money on an unknown book and author (our "book money" is limited and precious), I borrowed the book from our local library and began reading while on a trip to a conference with my husband.

We hadn't been on the road very long, and I was only 3-4 pages into the introduction when I read something that brought tears to my eyes--because I related so much to what was said. This is what I read,

"In my ministry to women, I encounter a wide spectrum of negative attitudes toward theology, from indifference to hostility. A few women here and there may find theology fascinating, may even devote a lot of time to study it, but they are exceptional and, in the opinion of some, a little peculiar. Most women cannot be bothered." (emphasis mine)

I read this outloud to my husband who did not chide me for my tears--he knew how "odd" I'd felt all these years. (Throw in the fact that for 19 yrs. of my married life I have been childless AND worked full-time outside the home--that really adds up to "peculiar" in the eyes and minds of many!)

I went on to read this,

"But perhaps even more serious an obstacle is the way Christian women have come to view themselves. We have split into two camps--the Marys and the Marthas. These two beloved sisters have unwittingly become a vehicle for categorizing ourselves as either "women who think" or "women who serve". On the one hand, those who call themselves Marthas prefer acts of service to intellectual pursuits. Of a decidedly practical bent, these women care passionately and actively for the needy hurting people around them. They invest time and energy providing invaluable ministry to these pressing and very real needs. They also suspect theology is over their heads and frankly are not all that interested. Marys, on the other hand, are most at home in the world of ideas. They relish an intellectual discussion and the mental challenge of a perplexing argument but feel awkward and out of place in the kitchen." (emphasis mine)

Of course, this brought more tears. I imagine that many of the women reading my blog have similar thoughts and feelings.

The clay does not ask the potter what he is doing or has done in making such a vessel. As for me, I continue to put considerable effort toward becoming more of a "Martha", and encourage the "Marthas" to put considerable effort toward becoming more of a "Mary". It goes without saying that we each will enjoy personal benefit from it, but imagine what our husbands, children, friends, and church family will gain--Biblically sound women ministering and serving to the physical AND spiritual needs of others.

(I'm reading the book I've quoted over again and am not yet ready to "go on record" regarding my opinion or recommendation, I hope to in the not so distant future. I do have some concerns about some assumptions made and positions taken by the author, but nothing that adversely impacts her encouragement for Xian women to study and embrace theology.)

Bathroom reading

Well, if you made it this far past the title of this post, I'm impressed!! You either have an inquiring mind, or are curious what sort of fool I may make of myself this time! :-) But seriously, the title of this post isn't designed to be misleading or even to entice you to read further.

If you'll recall, one of my first posts asked why women tend to avoid discussing theology. Some of the comments I received (on and off the post) stated that the reader struggled with having time to read or consider theology. So, this morning in the course of my own busy day--wife, mother, home educator, aging parents who need regular assistance or advise, active in my local church, the wife of a church leader, and personally pursuing further formal education--I recognized a long-time practice in my home that certainly would work in the homes of others!

I want to recommend to you ladies that you select a good book or two on theology and/or church doctrine, and keep it in the bathroom that you frequent most often in your house! Even if you're too shy to admit it, there is some great reading time to be had in that room everyday!! :-)

I'll admit this isn't a novel idea, it's just that I'm nuts enough to post it here for all the world to read. And I'm not the only one to take notice of it--I once worked in an office where one man picked up the department's copy of the Wall Street Journal about the same time every morning and headed down the hall--now THAT'S time management!

So ladies (that's who I'm primarily speaking to!!), please consider fitting a little theology into your day--you'll benefit greatly, so will your friends, husband, children, neighbors, and church!!

Now, if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to go do a bit of reading. (No offense intended!!!)

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf (aka: theology)?

It may be my imagination, but it seems that the majority of today's average Xian (Christian) women are hesitant to talk theology. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I've seen and experienced over the past 20+ years.

Perhaps the word "theology" itself intimidates some. Perhaps many Xian women have not benefited from sitting under sound Biblical teaching. Perhaps some believe that such discussions do not reflect a "gentle and quiet spirit". Perhaps others believe that it is not applicable to their daily life as a woman, wife, mother, single woman, working woman, etc. Or, perhaps today's Xian women have been convinced, or worse yet resigned themselves, to believe that such matters are best left to clergymen, seminary graduates, and wild-eyed philosophers.

This situation is so prevalent that I've notice over the years--more often than not--I'm drawn to theological conversations occupied predominately by men (in case you're wondering, my husband is almost always among them).

So, whether you're a Xian woman or a Xian man, new believer or mature believer, I would very much like to hear from you. What do you think, or what have you observed, regarding the reason or reasons why today's average Xian women tend to avoid theological discussions?