Equality

For me, the issue of equality is not about wanting control. It's not even about rights. It is about living out the greatest commandments. Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. I think most Christians would say they aim to live out the ideals of  loving God and "doing to others as you would have them do to you". And yet, history has proven it difficult for many professing Christians to embrace the standard called equality.

I have read slews of historical rhetoric from early American Christians attempting to defend slavery. These men even misused biblical text to "support" their point of view. How can this be?I don't think for a minute they even believed what they were saying. They probably didn't allow themselves to properly reflect on the immorality of their opinion.They were simply -and desperately- trying to maintain a quality of life. Their zealousness was grossly misplaced in an effort to continue a lifestyle where they would retain power, live in comfort, and be happy. Brotherly concern for others? It was weaker than the love they had for themselves.

They cloaked their selfishness in religiosity in order to ease their conscience. Which of these men were willing to open the can of worms implicated by freeing their fellow man as a result of a change of this magnitude? Implications this enormous scared people. As a matter of fact, I believe many people in power are still paralyzed by implications of change, even if a goal is noble.


And this brings me to my concern. Although not nearly as oppressed as the slaves in the south, I still sadly see issues of inequality towards women in the world of ministry. Even among many egalitarian denominations, equality between men and women is unstable. In those organizations that claim equality, I believe leaders agree with the goal of egalitarianism. Most of the men  in power would even biblically defend a woman's place in leadership, citing examples such as Huldah, Phoebe, Deborah and Priscilla.

However, the fright of traveling uncharted territory and rerouting stagnant systems necessary towards developing-- especially married women-- for leadership gets in the way (this is an issue our denomination is struggling to address partly due to our appointment structure). Once again, implications create paralysis. Conversations never get beyond, "well, what would we do about..."?

True equality is not an unrealistic ideal. God is creative and he transcends our limits by sharing His thoughts with us. More importantly, he will hold us accountable for what we have and haven't done. And, as with Abraham, he may not show us the next step until we take the first step of faith.

I am personally praying that God will raise up leaders in the church who will allow their belief in equality to override their fear of the implications it will create. Let's get beyond technicalities so as not to squander the gifts he has given the church.