Is this a power play to suppress women?

by Matt Slick

Some will think that my efforts and the efforts of others like myself who work against women ordination, women pastors, and women elders are doing so because we seek to maintain control and power.

I cannot speak for others.  I can speak for myself.  Personally, I have no problem with a woman being an elder, a pastor, a prophet, an apostle, or anything else that has any place of power and authority either in Christianity or in secularism.  I certainly recognize and accept the fact that many women are far more competent than men in areas of intelligence, leadership, compassion, etc.  It seems that in the world men are the best and the worst.  They can make huge sacrifices but they also are the worst of criminals.

But, this has nothing to do with biblical revelation.  The issue is what does God's Word say.  If my opinion differs with that of the Bible, then my opinion is wrong.  It does not matter what I want, what I feel, what I desire, etc.  What matters is what does God's Word say?  Since, to the best of my knowledge, it teaches that women are not to be in positions of authority in the Church, and that is the position that I will defend.  I really don't care if people like it or don't like it.  What I'm concerned about is what God says and what he thinks about me.

I started CARM in October of 1995.  It began as a very small attempt to provide some answers on the Internet to some issues that I saw were not being addressed.  It grew and to my surprise, I now do it full-time.

Diane Sellner began working with me in 1998.  She is the second in command in CARM (and if you don't count my wife).  If, as my critics in this topic maintain, and I am out to suppress women, then why do I have a woman in such a place of authority in this ministry?  In fact, Diane's position is one of authority over men.  She runs the car and discussion boards and has moderators, many who are male, under her authority.  She does an excellent job and I trust her. Am I being inconsistent?  Not at all.  CARM is not a church and Diane is not an elder or a pastor.

About six years ago a Baptist pastor was helping out on the discussion boards but when he found out that Diane was in charge, he refused to work under her.  I supported Diane rather than the pastor.

Also, Diane is on my board of directors as is my wife.  Why would this be if I am trying to suppress women?

Finally, I have one other point worth mentioning.  Back when I was in seminary for a few days we opened up the doors, so to speak, to the public so that non-seminarians could come into our classes.  In addition, the seminary (Westminster Seminary in Escondido, CA) brought in different teachers to present different classes.  One of these teachers was a woman who taught a class on how women can be used in the church.  I thought this would be a very valuable class so I attended.  To my dismay, out of the class size of approximately 25, I was the only male.  Still, I was there because I wanted to support women being used in the church.

So, if I am trying to suppress women by teaching that that women are not to be elders and pastors, then why is the number two person on CARM a woman, why did I support Diane over a pastor about her position of authority on CARM, why is she and my wife on the board of directors, and why would I attend a class named at demonstrating how women can be used in church?

The fact is that I'm not trying to suppress women.  I am trying to uphold the word of God.