Ordination of Women

What is ordination? Community decides this person should be a minister Community decides this person should be a minister Usually involves education and a formal ritual Usually involves education and a formal ritual Sets person apart in the community Sets person apart in the community Catholicism: indelible mark on soul Catholicism: indelible mark on soul Gives person responsibilities and powers Gives person responsibilities and powers Preach, counsel, “pastor” Preach, counsel, “pastor” Can consecrate sacraments Can consecrate sacraments

Some historical precedents Unusually spiritual, perhaps marginal forms of Christianity Unusually spiritual, perhaps marginal forms of Christianity Quakers, Shakers: women can speak with inspiration of Holy Spirit Quakers, Shakers: women can speak with inspiration of Holy Spirit Congregationalists (1853) Congregationalists (1853) Holiness and Pentecostal female preachers (late 19 th /early 20 th c) Holiness and Pentecostal female preachers (late 19 th /early 20 th c) Early 20 th century: possible but rare Early 20 th century: possible but rare Presbyterians (1922 as deacon, 1956 as minister ) Presbyterians (1922 as deacon, 1956 as minister ) Methodists (1926 as elder, 1956 as minister) Methodists (1926 as elder, 1956 as minister) Second Wave Feminism: Possible and more frequent Second Wave Feminism: Possible and more frequent Lutherans (1970) Lutherans (1970) But note more conservative Lutheran denominations do not ordain women But note more conservative Lutheran denominations do not ordain women Reform Judaism (1972) Reform Judaism (1972) Conservative Judaism (1985) Conservative Judaism (1985) Episcopal Church (1976) and Church of England (1992) Episcopal Church (1976) and Church of England (1992)

Arguments against: Protestant Main: Biblical verses that restrict women’s teaching Main: Biblical verses that restrict women’s teaching 1 Timothy 2:12 1 Timothy 2:12 1 Corinthians 14:34 1 Corinthians 14:34 Created order: God intends for a wife to be submissive to her husband; males are intended to be in authority Created order: God intends for a wife to be submissive to her husband; males are intended to be in authority Genesis 3:16; Ephesians 5:22 Genesis 3:16; Ephesians 5:22 This does not imply superiority, but complementary roles This does not imply superiority, but complementary roles Hierarchy is good, b/c it is God’s way of maintaining order Hierarchy is good, b/c it is God’s way of maintaining order

Arguments for: Protestant Biblical arguments Biblical arguments Women in NT were deacons, apostles, “fellow-workers”, and house church leaders (see Romans 16) Women in NT were deacons, apostles, “fellow-workers”, and house church leaders (see Romans 16) Therefore passages prohibiting women’s teaching can’t really be that broad Therefore passages prohibiting women’s teaching can’t really be that broad Jesus included women in his group Jesus included women in his group Mary Magdalene, “the apostle to the apostles”, is the first to spread the good news of Jesus’ resurrection Mary Magdalene, “the apostle to the apostles”, is the first to spread the good news of Jesus’ resurrection Created order does not imply submission; this comes from interpretation of the Fall of Eve Created order does not imply submission; this comes from interpretation of the Fall of Eve Cultural arguments Cultural arguments Bible’s teachings reflected culture, were totally appropriate at the time, but culture has changed Bible’s teachings reflected culture, were totally appropriate at the time, but culture has changed Protestant Reformers like Luther and Calvin Protestant Reformers like Luther and Calvin

Arguments against: Catholic Bible alone does not answer the question (1976 Pontifical Biblical Commission) Bible alone does not answer the question (1976 Pontifical Biblical Commission) Issue is not teaching authority, but tradition and sacramental power Issue is not teaching authority, but tradition and sacramental power Cannot represent Christ because she lacks a natural resemblance to Christ Cannot represent Christ because she lacks a natural resemblance to Christ “the faithful must be able to recognize [the sign] with ease” “the faithful must be able to recognize [the sign] with ease” Male priest represents Christ the bridegroom Male priest represents Christ the bridegroom Tradition cannot be changed Tradition cannot be changed Jesus only chose male disciples, even though he associated with women and thus could have had female disciples Jesus only chose male disciples, even though he associated with women and thus could have had female disciples Church does not have the authority to change the doctrine Church does not have the authority to change the doctrine Thus calling only men to priesthood Thus calling only men to priesthood

Arguments for: Catholic All people can be “in persona Christi”, otherwise, Christ could not be their savior All people can be “in persona Christi”, otherwise, Christ could not be their savior Salvation depends upon Christ becoming human, just like us [“what was not assumed was not healed”] Salvation depends upon Christ becoming human, just like us [“what was not assumed was not healed”] The Last Supper was not an ordination ceremony The Last Supper was not an ordination ceremony Women did participate in early Christian ministries, which give us a fuller view of what ministry was about Women did participate in early Christian ministries, which give us a fuller view of what ministry was about Is this a genuinely new moment for the tradition of the church? Is this a genuinely new moment for the tradition of the church?

Remaining issue: diaconate Form of Holy Orders in Catholicism Form of Holy Orders in Catholicism Three types: deacon, priest, bishop Three types: deacon, priest, bishop Includes ministries of preaching, instruction, counseling Includes ministries of preaching, instruction, counseling Women were deacons in early Christianity (cf. Council of Chalcedon, 451) Women were deacons in early Christianity (cf. Council of Chalcedon, 451) Included a ritual Included a ritual Ceased ca. 500s Ceased ca. 500s Diaconate changed, but was restored in 1960s to lay men, who can be married Diaconate changed, but was restored in 1960s to lay men, who can be married So, can it be restored to women? So, can it be restored to women?