Huntsville theologian explains Southern Baptist Convention vote
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – On Wednesday, members of the Southern Baptist Convention rejected a formal ban on churches with female pastors. Dr. Douglas Walker with the Huntsville Theological Institute said the vote comes amid a debate over whether women pastors can exist in Southern Baptist churches. He said the debate boils down to different interpretations of the bible.
Interpretation of Scripture
Dr. Walker explained that the main scripture of debate says women cannot be pastors over adult men, leading to the disagreement within the convention. He mentioned that the debate centers around whether women should be pastors at all. “Which position is in the highest power or the highest authority,” he said. “Adult males. If you take a high school group, you could say they’re not yet adult males and they’re in our culture, so women could exercise, teach, and so forth.”
Historical Context
According to Dr. Walker, the debate on women pastors has continued throughout the years, with the convention previously banning churches with women pastors. He noted that the division within the convention could potentially escalate to a split in the future. “That’s my prediction,” he said. “I hope they don’t split over this issue because it really boils down to two different mindsets within the convention. I think it’s probably going to happen. I hope it won’t happen, but it could some time in the near future.”
Final Thoughts
As the Southern Baptist Convention grapples with the question of women pastors, Dr. Walker’s insights shed light on the theological considerations at play in this debate. The decision not to impose a formal ban reflects the ongoing dialogue within the convention and the diversity of views on this issue.
