Journal: Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Volume: JBMW 11:2 (Fall 2006)
Article: Learned and Holy
Author: Peter R. Schemm, Jr.

JBMW 11:2 (Fall 2006) p. 4

Learned and Holy

Peter R. Schemm, Jr.

Editor, Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Dean, Southeastern College at Wake Forest
Associate Professor of Christian Theology
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina

Doubtless the question will arise concerning our “By Women for Women” issue of the journal: “Is it for women only?” After all, if Scripture prohibits women from teaching men (1 Tim 2:11–15), certainly that includes a journal article that has some exegetical and/or theological content. Are we being consistent here? Perhaps The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood should only send this issue to its female readership. Women are allowed to read nowadays, right? The purpose of this editorial, then, is to assist us in determining how it is that men benefit from the valuable contributions of women in Christian scholarship.

Learned and Holy:
An Ancient Practice

In his insightful article, “Women in the History of the Church: Learned and Holy, but Not Pastors,” William Weinrich observes an ancient practice that helps to explain how it is that the church, including men, has been richly blessed by the varied ministries of women throughout her history.1 We might summarize this ancient practice with the phrase “learned and holy.” Taken from the Statuta Ecclesiae antiqua of Gennadius of Marseilles (c. A.D. 480), Weinrich’s subtitle reminds us that considerations for the service of women in the church have not been determined by intellect or sanctity. Rather, clear apostolic injunctions and the example of Jesus himself

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have been determinative. Thus, it has been the consistent practice throughout church history—until recent times—that, however learned and holy particular women in the church were, the pastoral office of the church has been reserved for men.2

The pastoral office, however, is not the only way one can make a lasting contribution to the body of Christ. It is true that throughout church history most Christian writing and scholarship has come from men, but this may not be as objectionable as some today would like to make it. After all, the vocation of wife and mother is more foundational and necessary than the vocation of Christian scholar. Still, history is filled with women who have made significant intellectual contributions. Learned and holy women of the past have demonstrated well, in Weinrich’s terms, their faithful “service of mind and pen.”You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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