Evangelical Feminism and Liberalism (again)

Evangelical Feminism: A New Path to Liberalism? by Wayne Grudem is "an expression of deep concern about a widespread undermining of the authority of Scripture in the arguments that are frequently used to support evangelical feminism. And it is also a way of posing a question: can a movement that espouses this many ways of undermining the authority of Scripture possibly be right?" (from the Preface)

Chapter 2 does a good job showing that denominations which move away from a position of biblical inerrancy seem to also embrace the ordination of women. Grudem names a few denominations, such as the United Methodist Church, the United Presbyterian Church (which is now the PC-USA), and the Episcopal Church, who are following a predictable sequence (though only the Episcopal Church has reached point #7):

1. Abandoning biblical inerrancy.
2. Endorsing the ordination of women.
3. Abandoning the Bible's teaching on male headship in marriage.
4. Excluding clergy who are opposed to women's ordination.
5. Approving homosexual conduct as morally valid in some cases.
6. Approving homosexual ordination.
7. Ordaining homosexuals to high leadership positions in the denomination.

Several ways to read this material:

1. On pp. 35-84 is an article from the Spring 2004 issue of the Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, whose content was later adapted and expanded into the recent book.

2. Looks like the entire book can be browsed at Crossway's website.

3. It can be purchased for only $7.99!

Some of the blurbs:

"Biblical authority is at stake in the debate between complementarianism and egalitarianism--because if you can get egalitarianism from the Bible, you can get anything from the Bible. The weight of Grudem's cumulative argument is considerable, and cannot easily be dismissed."

- J. Ligon Duncan III, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi
Adjunct Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary

"The egalitarian ideology is one of the most significant theological challenges in our time. Wayne Grudem presents a careful and systematic study of the cause and ramifications of this shift. In his persistent and gentle tone, Grudem challenges egalitarian thinking. While authors and scholars sympathetic to egalitarianism may be loath to consider they may in fact be wrong, Grudem pleads with his readers to reconsider their position."

--Michael Easley, President, Moody Bible Institute