Reformed Churches Condemn Misuse of Scripture

[Jerome]

http://www.wcrc.ch/node/542

World Communion of Reformed Churches
News Release
7 March 2011

Wrong reading of Bible can harm women, says global church group.

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), through its programme on gender justice, is supporting an appeal from a Christian communication organization for increased attention to how words and images can harm women. The appeal comes in advance of International Women's Day, 8 March.

Controversial biblical texts on women such as a passage saying women are to be silent in church (I Corinthians 14.33-34) can harm women when they are used to justify enforced submission of women to male authority

If the language of the Bible is not understood in today’s terms, some passages can be used to allow excluding women from church leadership

 

[DHK]

The above quotes were not so alarming as this one:

WCRC also offers scholarships and support for women seeking theological education and ordination. An estimated forty per cent of WCRC member churches do not ordain women.

 

[David Lamb]

I was surprised at first. But it seems, to judge from their web site and list of member "churches" ("denominations" might be better there), that WCRC are not using the word "reformed" to mean "holding to the Doctrines of Grace" or "holding to the 5 Great Alones of the Reformation."

 

[Jerome]

Yes, makes one wonder why some Baptists are so eager to associate themselves with the word "Reformed"

 

[Rippon]

Jerome,

To clarify : Your OP has nothing to do with Calvinism.

 

[billwald]

Keep in mind that TULIP is "Reformed" but not "Calvinist."

 

[Rippon]

Keep in mind that TULIP is "Reformed" but not "Calvinist."

Please elaborate.

 

[billwald]

TULIP was formulated long after Calvin's death in response to the teaching of Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobus_Arminius

Calvin's writings are called "a theology of the Holy Spirit" by theologians who have read them. "The Institutes" contains much more material about prayer than it does on predestination.

 

[Rippon]

TULIP was formulated long after Calvin's death in response to the teaching of Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius.

The decisions of the Council of Dort were made 55 years after Calvin's death. T.U.L.I.P was a thumbnail summary of that. It is not in conflict with Calvinism.

Calvin's writings are called "a theology of the Holy Spirit" by theologians who have read them. "The Institutes" contains much more material about prayer than it does on predestination.

Calvin was,and is,known as the theologian of the Holy Spirit. And yes,there is much more on prayer,than on predestination in The Institutes. That's why I keep insisting that Calvinism is a whole lot more comprehensive than merely T.U.L.I.P.

 

[billwald]

TULIP is not in conflict but the difference in emphasis has political and social ramifications. (You) Compare the CRC and the OPC. (Whatever I write on this list is defacto wrong. <G>)