An uncluttered discussion of the texts

The Biblical Case for Equality: An Appeal for Gender Justness in the Church Arden Thiessen. Belleville: Guardian Books, 2002, 164 pages.

Arden Thiessen, a retired EMC pastor and educator, initially began writing The Biblical Case for Equality in response to family discussions around the table and in an attempt to clarify for himself what the Bible said about the theme of male/female equality. What transpires is a very personal reflection that maintains a strong commitment to the authority of God’s Word, yet is willing to challenge traditional conceptions of “male supremacy”. Thiessen suggests that the church’s long-established adherence to Western culture’s belief in the inequality of women, now creates a serious inconsistency when the church feels it must be different from a contemporary society that promotes the equality of men and women. The result, Thiessen claims, is that in the church women are “assigned a theoretical equality but forbidden to act as equals.”

Thiessen reviews the relevant biblical passages touching on the relationship between men and women in an attempt to understand the overall scheme of God’s revelation and message of redemption. He intentionally does not compare different interpretations, but simply invites readers “to consider a stream of thought which seems to do justice to all of Scripture.” The passages in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy, which seem to challenge the full equality of men and women, are read in light of the overall picture emerging from Scripture. Thiessen concludes that, “in the Bible there is nowhere a direct affirmation nor clear prohibition” regarding the question of women’s involvement in pastoral leadership because “the Bible does not ask the question the way we do today.” He calls on the church to seek out God’s will in the principles that emerge from the total picture of the Bible rather than from a few selected texts.

Thiessen’s personable style, uncluttered discussion of the biblical texts, and profound honesty are commendable. I would recommend Thiessen’s book for all those “who have looked for a readable and accessible study on how the differing scriptural writings can be brought together.” I would also recommend this book for those who, even though they may wrestle with Thiessen’s conclusions, wish to interact with an articulate presentation for equality. Unfortunately the cartoon front cover creates a misleading first impression that does not do justice to the value of the pages within.

Doug Heidebrecht is Academic Dean at Bethany College in Hepburn, Sask.