Nearly Half
In my devotions in recent months I have been reading some of the passages in the writings of Ellen White regarding the fall of Lucifer or Satan. It came forcefully to my attention how the issue and sentiments in our current church struggles with women’s ordination bear striking resemblances and similarities to the issues that initiated the great conflict with evil. Though this paper would not be popular with WO (Women’s Ordination) advocates for sure, these themes and comparisons are clearly valid in many ways when given honest thought.
It is not my intention here to demonize WO advocates, or to sling arrows, or to incite further division into Adventism’s already troubled ranks. I personally am a strong advocate of the contribution of women to the proclamation of the gospel, and of their equal position in human terms and abilities. As a pastor I have always supported and blessed the role of women in society and even in the church as “functional” elders, and have served with even one or more as my associate pastors. Their contribution to ministry was carried out with dedication, and excellence, and they were needed and appreciated, and blessed. I have always seen them as equal and worthy colleagues in every Gospel endeavor. I personally wish women could just be ordained in the unions or divisions that are ready, but it isn’t that simple.
What is most distressing, however, is the divisive nature of this issue, and the determined and apparent insistence of WO advocates to drive the wedge deeper. This is done by slanted expositions and comments from even my own conference leaders (who ought to be truly “inclusive” in view of all perspectives), biased and one-sided considerations of the issue in such periodicals as the “North Pacific Union Gleaner,” and cheap shots issued in recent Executive Committee Statements that decry any opposing opinion on the matter as “not from the 21st century.” In other directed missives cautious voices who cite and respect biblical precedents are labeled as “headship” extremists, or the like. And we all know the entire issue has shaken the highest organizations of our church, the North American Division and the General Conference.
The startling nature of the current dissension is not unlike the conflict in heaven which brought about the expulsion of Lucifer. What should keep WO advocates, and all really, from scoffing and deriding the current attempts at unity is the situation that occurred in heaven, the church of churches, in fact, the perfect church set up by God himself that actually had no need whatsoever to be improved. Yet the highest ranking officers of God’s kingdom and all of heaven were split almost right down the middle in a sense by the issue of positional and ordination rights. Gender was not an issue in heaven for reasons Jesus explained, but the sentiments and principles expressed in our current discussions are very much similar to those of the old story. It is undeniable. (. . . .And by the way, where are George Knight’s: “If I Were the Devil” articles, now when we need them?! But, of course, that’s a problem in this discussion, for he is apparently pro WO!)
So recently when I read the following words it brought some pause for thought:
Then Satan exultingly pointed to his sympathizers, comprising nearly one half of all the angels, and exclaimed, “These are with me.” SR 18:1
I was startled by the reference: “nearly one half,” for I am most familiar with the one “third” concept. Now maybe Ellen White sees one third as “nearly half;” or perhaps she
is considering that Satan first claimed more generous evangelistic numbers to his credit; or it is that perhaps at one point that is where the matter stood until some of the angels thought better of it and returned to Christ’s side. But in any scenario, we are reminded of how tragic a circumstance arises when an organization is split almost right down the middle on an issue. The Great Controversy is the best example of this in all of universal history.
Now it isn’t that the group that is the “third” is always the wrong one, for I find that is the position in most elections that I find myself in; a scenario in which I feel my position or choice was the best one. But it is a very difficult matter when “nearly half” of any organization is left unsatisfied in the end. It is the worst possible scenario, and in a way characterizes our church and our nation (U.S.A.) at the present time.
But let us consider the matter under consideration at the present hour. Certain correlations and comparisons are clear and unavoidable. These themes show up in the two opposing parties under four or five headings. It cannot be denied in my opinion that WO advocates and their opponents clearly and typically align themselves with some of these sentiments, the same sentiments that rocked the heavenly courts.
Equality and Entitlement
The first and foremost of these is the issue of moral and positional equality. In most any discussion on the subject the prevailing (and undying) argument offered is that there is a moral obligation incumbent upon all to award women absolute equality in all matters ecclesiastical. The question that does not seem to be asked or answered is what God’s real position or precedent on the matter is, theologically speaking. While it is a Gospel norm that all, regardless of gender, are awarded equal right to the Gospel privileges of salvation and forgiveness, this does not mean that men are now to bear children.
When it comes to human equality, there is not one opponent to WO that I know of in all of Adventism that does not believe the men and women in the eyes of God, and in their own eyes, are totally equal. They are equal in value, man and woman, adult and child, slave and free. But to claim that men and women are in every respect the same, and have God-ordained identical roles in every possible aspect is most absurd, and defies the very nature and purpose of creation (Paul’s argument). To claim that only now we are required by practice and conscience to promote women to a non-historical and unprecedented role makes God himself, along with Christ and the apostles in the past— who did not recommend it–or who failed to practice it, into “headship extremists” and “abusers of women’s rights.” Even in a perfect heaven not all were or are “equal” according to roles, function, and hierarchy. But many insist on absolute equality in all areas of life and existence. This is leftist socialism in its rawest form.
But this is the very argument promoted by Satan himself:
“….he urged that he should be equal with God.” SR18:1 “. . . .he would be equal to God himself.” SR 16:1
“….not content with his position” PP 35 #2 (Satan used this same condition of inequality in rank with Eve, fresh off the press)
“He gloried in his brightness and exaltation and aspired to be equal with God….” PP 37:0
“Exaltation of the Son of God as equal with the Father was represented as injustice. . . . to Lucifer, who….it was claimed, was (along with all the angels) also entitled to reverence and honor.” PP 37:1
Angels: “Stood ready to second Lucifer’s demand for equal authority with the Son of God.” PP38:3
While anyone who goes to heaven will be equal in value, they won’t be and never will be equal in position, authority, and role. There are angels, and arch angels, etc. etc. God will always be God. Ecclesiastical levels of authority were ordained and exercised in a perfect heaven, where all could be considered at the same time in the democratic sense: “equal.”
Rights and Liberation From Overlording
Another incessant voice heralded by WO advocates and the liberal agenda is that modern women are greatly persecuted, held in bondage, and they must “released for service” and ‘liberated in the Gospel,” etc. etc. “The Gospel cannot properly go forward ,” they reason, “when women are not ordained.” (Even though the early Christians turned the world upside down without it). But both sides of this debate want women to be able to freely share the Gospel unencumbered (and they can!). Yet Lucifer carried this legitimate idea of “freedom“ and “equal opportunity” too far. No doubt Satan’s reasoning sounded and started as nothing but innocent “protest:”
“It was his object (Lucifer) to secure freedom for all.” PP 37:1
“. . . .the law was a restriction of their liberty….” SR 18:2
“The condition of the angels, he thought, needed improvement.” SR 19:0
“He declared (it as) an act of injustice. . . . and he would no longer submit to this invasion of his rights and theirs.” PP 39:1
The only course. . . . was to assert their liberty, and gain by force the rights which had not been willingly accorded them.” PP 41 (NAD?)
Better Policy and Better Government
“He promised them a new and better government than they had, in which all would be freedom….great numbers signified their purpose to accept him….” SR 16:1
“He began to insinuate doubts concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings….needed no restraint, for their own wisdom was a sufficient guide.” PP 37:1 (Conference Administrators, University Professors; Church Scholars? Theologians?) were necessary for the stability of the divine government.” PP 38:2 ….he was ostensibly seeking to remove dissatisfaction and to reconcile disaffected angels to the order of heaven.” PP38:2 (order is the root of the word: “ordained”)
“He promised those who would enter his ranks a new and better government, under which all would enjoy freedom. PP 39:1
Denigration and Ridicule Toward Those Loyal to Tradition and Precedent
“The loyal angels could see only the terrible consequences from this dissension, and with earnest entreaty they counseled the disaffected ones to renounce their purpose and prove themselves loyal to God.” PP39:0
“The very work which he was doing, he charged upon the loyal angels.” PP41
The discord Satan “declared to be the result of….administration.” PP42:2
“All whom he could not subvert and bring fully to his side he accused of indifference to the interest of heavenly beings.” GC496:1
“Rejecting with disdain the arguments and entreaties of the loyal angels….as deluded slaves.” PP40:1
Unjust charges are constantly leveled at opponents of WO, or supporters of the “unity document,” as antiquated headship extremists, or as abusers of administrative powers, when those aiming to preserve the integrity of the current system are only trying to save the church, or advance forward the wishes of the majority of church members in the world field. (the “universe”). (I don’t mean to say that conservatives have not made some unfair charges or actions, as well, for they most certainly have in some cases….).
The point is that the perfect government cannot be totally democratic.
Claims of Benign Intention and Innocence
Lucifer:
“Caused it to appear as his sole purpose to promote loyalty and to preserve harmony and peace.” PP 38:2
“Satan had claimed from the first that he was not in rebellion.” PP42:3
Very similar words, if not the exact words, are oft heard in minister’s gatherings of my attendance where most seem to be WO advocates. And it may be true that some of these are simply supportive of women in general ministry and we all can bless that divine idea. Women are needed and necessary to the proclamation of the Gospel. In many ways they have outshined men in religious endeavor and dedicated “ministry” for centuries.
But what is troubling is that in the case of the Great Conflict in heaven, Satan’s claim was anything but the truth, and we all know how it turned out. Somewhere, sometime, somehow, God’s church must put this issue behind us, whatever side we are on, before the rupture is complete.
The claim is that both sides are bound by conscience and biblical argument. Well, Satan claimed the same thing. The real issue in this writer’s opinion, is not a gender one, really. It is how these things are to be decided by the church, and whether we are to respect or not the guidance and authority of Scripture over modern cultural and political activism. To conservatives, it is doubtful that Joy Behar or “The View”, or Ellen Degeneres, or Southern California, or the NAD, or the Columbia Union, or other like advocates of women’s rights as a whole are all really driven that much by conscience! To biblical traditionalists, changes chiefly orchestrated by popularity or related to social and political activism can be a direct violation of God’s Word as known in Adventism. It isn’t that these opponents are promoting the idea that women are lesser beings as is charged, or is it the threadbare and tiresome charge that these opponents are selfishly grasping on to “headship theology.” They just want to stay “safe,” and they want it done in their particular view: God’s way. It is that they deem biblical and apostolic authority and precedent as supreme. If these things aren’t, we should all keep Sunday, because it is certainly more culturally relevant to do so.
Conservatives will stop accusing liberals of promoting modern feminism when the liberals stop accusing conservatives of being headship fanatics. Modern activist feminism has little direct support from Scripture, but benign, properly understood headship, at least, actually has very clear biblical support. But these charges from either side must. . . .must stop!
The GC vote at the last General Conference (San Antonio) was roughly a 60/40 split. “Nearly one half.” Though not a direct vote on women’s ordination, everyone recognizes it as the general desire of the world church at this time. At the latest Annual Council the vote was almost exactly one third/two thirds, (33%, 66%) strangely reminiscent of another event thousands of years ago. This vote probably represents the will of the church at large as well. But certain leaders and enthusiasts insist on pressing the matter forward.
Will the modern church arise to some sense of sanity on this dangerous and unnecessary campaign and unite on what really matters, the proclamation of the Last Warning Message to a dying world? Let the church have in view the impending Millennium, not just the pining millennials. Heaven’s example shows us that traditional order can be maintained and still be considered “fair” for all. Look at what Jesus accomplished without the ordination blessing of the church in the world!
It is the sincere wish of all that the success of the Gospel take place. It would actually be a simple matter to break the non-compliancy issue by the far left leaders not insisting on a modern cultural invention that is not made clear in Scripture, at least enough to satisfy both sides. The division in heaven was not caused by the loyal angels, who believed that the God-ordained precedents that had been in place for eons of years were adequate, both in heaven above and for the earth beneath.
May God help us, Seventh-day Adventist men and women, dedicated to the task before us, to march heavenward successfully, in safety. . . and in unity!
