• Engage

    “Egalitarian” and “Complementarian”: What’s the Main Difference?

    When people talk to me about what the Bible says regarding the role of women in ministry, usually they’re asking if I think a woman may preach. But these folks don’t actually ask “Do you think women may preach?” They ask if I’m a complementarian or an egalitarian. Why? Because the complementarian and egalitarian camps appear to be the two opposing poles in the debate about whether the Bible restricts women from participating in some ministries. Especially public ones.    I’m always careful how I answer, because different people draw the line between the two camps at very different places. So if I identify with one or the other label,…