militant complimentarianism and sociology

From Mark Driscoll's blog on his Facebook profile.

March 29, 2009
"One of the tasks of New Calvinists is to winsomely, correctly, passionately, and effectively discover fresh ways to say old truths. Another task of New Calvinists is to follow in the example of faithful Bible preachers and teachers who have preceded us by handling the big issues of our day as they did in theirs.

This leads us to complementarianism. In our age of great gender confusion—from feminism to chauvinism—and homosexuality, the issue of God-designed, complementary gender roles is incredibly timely and vital for the well-being of God’s people.
Three Views on Gender Roles

There are three basic views prevailing today in the home and church:

* Egalitarian (Feministic): There is no innate distinction between the roles of men and women in the home or church. Women can be pastors and men can be stay-at-home dads so that their wives can pursue their careers.
* Complementarian (Moderate): Men and women are partners in every area of life and ministry together. Though equal, men and women have complementary and distinct gender roles so that men are to lovingly lead and head their homes like Jesus, and only men can be pastors in the church.
* Hierarchical (Chauvinistic): Women are not only commanded to follow male leadership, but are not given a voice with male leaders, as women are often chauvinistically kept under thumb as the polar opposite of egalitarian feminism.

An Undergirding Truth

The New Calvinists are committed to complementarianism in the home and church. In some ways, this is a very important undergirding fact that binds us together. Over a meal in Vancouver, B.C., some years ago, a friend and wonderful brother, Bruce Ware, who has worked tirelessly on this issue, commented that he believed that someone’s view of gender roles in fact reveals much of their theology, including their view of God, the Bible as God’s Word, and how the Bible is to be interpreted. His words were both insightful and helpful."

I belong to a church that is affiliated with Mars Hill in Seattle - a mega church founded by Mark Driscoll. I love the people I go to church with and consider them like family. They love me and allow me to be my little cynical self trusting I am pursuing Truth with the same fervor as them. Please note that my critique of Mark's view on gender roles has no bearing on anyone other than Mark.

That said, I first find it interesting how quickly he aligns his viewpoint of gender with that of God's - calling his so called complimentarian theology "God Designed". Easy for him to say because he is a man.

On his definition of Egalitarianism:
Mark jumps to point out the disregard for innate gender roles as though he means to say that gender roles are completely innate. Besides some biological differences the majority of scholars would disagree with comprehensive apriori gender roles. Social Science provides extensive research claiming that gender is a socially constructed thing. I am a man. I have a penis and testicles. But the way that I understand how to be a man in something that I have learned - it has been part of my socialization. Next Mark says that this wrong theology of men and women(Egalitarianism)means that if I felt led to stay home with the kids and my wife felt led to work I would not be a man nor a theologically correct Christian. It was similar theology that was once the leader in opposition to womens' rights stating that women could not vote nor seek education because their God ordained role was to be home while the man ran the show. We have, thankfully, repented of such idiocy, but not without resettling on new ways to keep women (even if they are better suited) from intruding on our homosocial man world. Also he aligns this view with feminism - the movement that fought for women to be able to vote and seek education among many other things. This comparison is a cheap way of using the term feminism. Not the first time Mark has used a term loosely and offensively.

Complimentarianism:
Not bad. Feels nice. He says men and women are equal. But no wait, then he says they actually aren't. Men get to do some jobs and women get to do other jobs. Those jobs compliment each other. But why can't a woman participate in what has been the exclusive world of men (business, politics, religion) while their husbands also work or take care of the house. What happens when man and wife have no children and both work AND the woman has a more prestigious job (socially speaking) than the man? Are they in sin, Mark?

Hierarchicalism:
Mark calls this chauvinistic. Mark needs a mirror.

Lastly...
"someone’s view of gender roles in fact reveals much of their theology, including their view of God, the Bible as God’s Word, and how the Bible is to be interpreted."