It’s true there will be many doctrinal differences between various Protestant denominations that may appear confusing if one is used to an authoritative magisterium governing all doctrine infallibly in theory, but then we’re talking about Protestantism itself, which is a different topic, and not only that schism, but the East-West one as well which happened before the Reformation and likewise suffers from “confusion” or difference in doctrine and sacramental life.

Lastly, simpler solutions are not always better in a complex world, though sometimes they are.

I want to read Scripture, understand theology, understand the context within which Scripture was written, and understand church history. And these are things that men tend to be more interested in than women (I know that is a stereotype, but I find it to be true). I do also read Scripture because I ecounter God there and because He speaks to me there–so there is an emotional, spiritual element for me which I think should not be separated from my devotional life–but my faith does not always rely on feelings and emotions. And I want to delve deeper into theology.

I feel fortunate because I have a knowledgable priest and educated friends (Protestants in addition to Orthodox and Catholics) who guide me and lead me to works of theology that will challenge me in my understanding of Scripture and the Church. And I honestly believe there are some wonderful resources out there written by educated Evangelicals; however, I don’t see or read about women who take advantage of these resources too often. Men are the ones–for whatever reason–who predominantly utilize these resources, which is really a shame.

In Protestantism there is often a lot of confusion about who is supposed to do what and to what extent. Outside of a Sacramental understanding of the Church, life, and the sexes, the framework of meaning collapses.

Whaaaa? No “gabby intimacy” ala Oprah so as to avoid the crudely blunt statement that there is firm disagreement with Worthen? Whoa.

“Nothing about a woman taking the lead to teach and mentor other women is a co-opting of “feminist ideas” but rather a fulfillment of the Titus 2 mandate and the Great Commission. There is nothing unbiblical or even extra-biblical in this context.

Quite right.

“As well, there is no claim to the office of pastor and—I’ll go out on a limb here—women speakers who identify as complementarians are also willingly submitting the content of their teaching to the authority of their own pastoral leadership.”

Yes. Thank you.

“Between the pulpit and the kitchen” is a good description of where my own wife stands. She is equally at home at a “Women in the Word” workshop or the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. In fact, she sat in on the elder training in my (male-led) church to gain a better understanding of the Westminster Confession of Faith, since she teaches the corresponding Shorter Catechism to the first- and second-graders in Sunday School.

Still, thirty years ago she promised (despite the scorn of my Aunt Helen) to “obey”, and she has found no reason yet to break that vow.