Petticoat Presbyterianism: A Century of Debate in American Presbyterianism on the Issue of the Ordination of Women -- By: Frank J. Smith
Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 51:1 (Spring 1989)
Article: Petticoat Presbyterianism: A Century of Debate in American Presbyterianism on the Issue of the Ordination of Women
Author: Frank J. Smith
WTJ 51:1 (Spring 1989) p. 51
Petticoat Presbyterianism: A Century of Debate in American Presbyterianism on the Issue of the Ordination of Women
The purpose of this article is to explore the ideological factors at work in the debate on the question of the ordination of women, as carried on in the context of American Presbyterianism. Two factors in particular will be examined: the view and role of Scripture and the influence of feminism and the “women’s rights” movement.
This topic may not be as esoteric as may appear at first glance. For one thing, Presbyterians have always been known as being prolific and careful in their deliberations. For another, the Presbyterian church has traditionally exercised great influence and leadership in this country. And, as shall be shown, there have been definite connections, both in the nineteenth century and in the 1980s, between arguments dealing with women’s ordination and those dealing with “women’s rights,” including women’s suffrage.
The focus on Scripture can be justified in at least three ways. First, a person conceivably could focus primarily on such a question as, “Which Presbyterian denominations have been most sensitive to the anguished pleas of over half of their members?” However, besides somewhat begging the question, that approach would be more “trendy” than of universal and abiding value. Secondly, the historic Christian church has always professed its belief in the plenary inspiration, and infallibility and inerrancy, of Holy Scripture. Third, the Presbyterian church in particular has defined its existence as being contingent on a strict interpretation of and adherence to the Bible. Presbyterianism, historically, has meant Puritanism. One term that can be used to describe its dependence upon the Word of God is the “regulative principle.” This term, often applied to worship, refers to the belief that whatever God has commanded to be done is required and that whatever God has not commanded to be done is forbidden. In matters of polity, jure divino Presbyterianism was the phrase used
WTJ 51:1 (Spring 1989) p. 52
to express this concept. If the justification of women’s ordination in denominations calling themselves “Presbyterian” involves either the rejection of the Bible as the actual Word of God and/or the rejection of the absolute sufficiency of Scripture, then that fact will be quite significant.
I. Historical Background
Aileen S. Kraditor has written that those who wished to deal with religious objections to woman suffrage “could meet Bible-based antisuffragism head on; they could point out those parts of the Scriptures that seemed to favor the equality of the sexes; or they could ignore religion in ...
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