Is There a Theologian in the House?

Welcome to Middle Earth

In his essay On Fairy Stories, J. R. R. Tolkien explained that a successful writer could get their readers to believe in what they were reading. Essentially, I am supposed to read The Hobbit as though the Shire is a real place. This is opposed to the willing suspension of disbelief. The suspension of disbelief simply puts aside all disbelief, but never really believes — but what does this have to with my article?

I am asking you to continue reading with the belief that the issue of Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism (I’ll explain later) does not exist. Continue reading as though Beth Moore, and the damage she has done, does not exist. I am asking you to enter a world that does not try to explain away the simple, face-value reading of Scripture. I am not asking you to believe in orcs or elves, but rather husbands that serve as resident theologians in their home — and I am not sure which is harder to believe in.

Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism

Before we enter into this magical world, I feel like it is important to cover some preliminary information. As the American church continues to be led further and further away from orthodoxy, we continue to witness the growing popularity of female pastors. This is a result of the teaching of egalitarianism. For sake of time, I am only going to give you the SparkNotes version of the controversy. Egalitarianism teaches that men and women are created equal; therefore, men and women can/should hold equal offices. There is distinction in creation, but not in role. At its most basic level, Egalitarianism teaches that the chief end of being a woman is to be equal with a man. To this I say, set the bar higher.

Egalitarianism is the counterpart to Complementarianism. Complementarianism teaches that men and women are made distinct (just like Egalitarianism), and that they complement each other by serving in distinct roles. In short, Complementarianism teaches that men and women are distinct in both creation and role, but this is for the purpose of complementing each other in different contexts. Do not make the mistake that this means that the distinction takes away from value. Men are women are equally valuable. Both men and women are made in the image of God; therefore, they are inherently valuable. This value transcends gender. Allowing women to be distinct, yet equally valuable is crucial to understand. This makes the chief end of being a woman — being a woman. To this I say, girl power!

These different beliefs stem from different interpretations of specific passages, but the issue seems to be mostly centered around women pastors or the woman’s role in the church. The purpose of this article is not to discuss Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism. The purpose is not to discuss the role of women in the church. The purpose of this article is to discuss a man’s responsibility to God in light of a woman’s responsibility to God.

Theology Matters

Like nails on a chalkboard is the one who says that they are not into theology. I will happily echo the many voices that have cried out, THEOLOGY MATTERS! The misconception that theology is only for pastors or teachers has lulled the church/home into a deep slumber. To be a theologian means that you have thoughts about God; therefore, to claim that you are not a theologian is simply incorrect. Even the most staunch atheist is a theologian. The question is not whether or not you are a theologian, but rather are you a competent theologian? Compounded with the former is the misconception that doctrine and practice are separate. Some would incorrectly believe that theology is not practical. Consider the Biblical model. In his epistles, Paul followed a pretty simple formula. He began with doctrine and moved to practice. For example, Ephesians begins with rich doctrinal truth about Christ (Eph. 1-4), but Paul closes the book with teachings on how those doctrines apply to life (Eph. 4-6). Essentially, Paul is saying “This is true about Jesus, and this is how Jesus should change your life.” This formula is present in many of Paul’s epistles. I have to wonder what the folk who claim to not be interested in theology do with most of the New Testament.

Here is my point, God clearly cares about theology. God has given us doctrine to study and understand, and as a result, we practice doctrine. If we understand true doctrine, then we are equipped to combat false doctrine. So what happens when we abandon theology? First, we abandon what God deems important. Second, we open ourselves up to false doctrines. Third, we slip into mediocrity.

Can I Get an Awomen?

With the decline of men taking interest in theology, we find that manhood is being distorted. Biblical manhood is a lost art. Unfortunately, a poor understanding of masculinity has either turned men into tyrants or milksops. Some depict being a man as coming home after a long day of hard work to have a beer and watch your wife drown in chores. On the other end of the spectrum, men are co-pastoring churches with their wives. I want to be explicitly clear — both are incorrect because they go against what the Bible teaches about men and women. We do the women in our lives a disservice by encouraging them to be anything but women. We could get into a debate that would rival the ancient councils over the roles of women, but this is not my mission. I kindly refer you to the Bible for further information because theology matters.

Just as much as we should encourage women to be women, we must encourage men to be men. If men and women are here to complement each other, then we both need to be in our positions. That is, our correct positions. Having two pitchers with no catcher will not win the World Series. Both players are of equal importance, but you will not win until the pitcher places the ball right in the catchers mitt to strike out the batters. Along with being in the correct roles, men and women need to be equipped. A right handed mitt on your left hand is setting you up to drop the ball. Men and women are equal in importance and their respective roles are equal in importance, but only when the right person is in the right role. These roles are best filled when men and women are theologically equipped to serve the way that they were designed to serve. I do not care how great of a pastor you are, your ministry is lacking if you do not have theologically sound women serving among the body. So let’s clear the air, women and men are really awesome and equally important, and for that, I hope I can get an awomen.

Is There a Theologian in the House?

Now that we have covered our bases, let’s enter into my dream world. Paul wrote to the church of Corinth that the women of the church should “keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.” (1 Cor. 14:34-35)

Silent women? This gets all the household tyrants excited and all the milksops agitated. While the complementarians and the egaltarians fight it out, I want to step to the side and highlight, what I believe is, a key detail. Many use this verse to discuss the role of a woman in the church, but this is passage also discusses the role of men in the home. So in my world, let’s say that we are all okay with the women being silent in church part. Okay? Great! If this is true, then we can address where the questions need to be directed. Paul states that if wives have questions, then they need to ask their husbands. Okay? Great! If this is true, then each home should be equipped with a competent theologian. But before we continue let’s address if the woman is single.

As a man, my life went like this. For the first 23 years of my life, I was a son, but then I became a husband. For many women, their life takes a similar route. For a season of life, they are daughters, but then they become wives. By sticking with this model, I believe, I am addressing most people. Until a woman is married, they have their father to direct their question at. Once they are married, the questions switch to their husband. In both scenarios, the home needs the man of the house to be a theologian. I understand that some homes do not have a father, and I understand that some women never get married. I cannot speak to every situation; therefore, I am speaking to this general group of people who have a man in their home.

Paul is prescribing that men be a pastor in their own home. The theological advisor that stands ready in season and out of season to give an answer for his hope. He is there to sanctify his wife with the washing of the Word. He is there to preach the gospel with his actions, and will use words if necessary. Do not let your poor perception of the pastorate distort what a man should be. He is not there to beat his wife and kids over the head with moralistic legalism, but rather he is there to be a leader. He is not there to remain in silent compliance to the desires of his family, but rather he is there to lead. His family belongs to Christ; therefore, the husband is there to point his wife and kids to their Lord. There will be a day when your son becomes a husband and your daughter a wife. Let them enter into their next stage of life with a biblical foundation. Your wife will be there till death do you apart; therefore, represent Christ until either of you meet him.

We Need Men

We certainly live in an effeminate culture. The virtual castration of evangelical men by today’s culture is negatively influencing the church and the home. We live in a relative society with no absolutes, yet culture says that men should absolutely be what society determines. Men should be passive, controlled, still, cogs in a machine. We are to sit under sermons that appeal to women. We are to sing praises to God as though he is our boyfriend. We should not fight, spit, or drink. Our emasculated evangelicals have recovered their manhood by wearing three-piece suits and yelling at everybody from the pulpit. This is not manhood, this is a mangy lion in a cage roaring as the circus watches. Men sit back as their wife and kids go to the pastor/youth pastor for all of their theological needs. They may even be sitting under the teaching of a Beth Mooresque female pastor.

Christ is the complete expression of manhood. He is the complete expression of being a human; therefore, Christ is our example. This hits close to home when Christ is the standard for all husbands. Christ is who we should replicate. Christ cleansed temples, cared for children, used logic, taught those around him, showed emotion, demanded righteous justice, prayed to the Father, knew the Scriptures, and loves his bride among many other things. This is the Jesus we must replicate. The single God-man that sets the standard for all husbands. The Jesus that calls you to be the resident theologian in your home. Perhaps we would see fewer tyrants in the church or women in the pulpit if we had fathers/husbands who understood that theology matters. Perhaps my dream world would be reality if there were theologians in the home.

About the Author

Cory Woodard

Cory is the creator of The Poking Stick. He is a teacher by trade, but a constant learner in life.