Concerning the Ordination of Women
by: Sean Orr
An Episcopalian from,
Cedar Creek, Texas
I would like to politely request that anyone who is reading this letter or considering publishing it to keep an open mind. For the subject I am going to write about is about as popular as the plague during the middle ages. I have been reading various articles in Anglican publications about a small minority of Anglicans who oppose the ordination of women. There have been no explanations that I have read so far of why there might be a plausible reason for such an opposition to this matter. The public opinion about my parish is that anyone who would oppose the ordination of women would have to be a bigot who is stuck in the past and must wake up and realize that the times have changed. I will try to explain as best as I can my reasons for opposing the practice of ordaining women .
First I would like to start with the Book of Common Prayer An Outline of the Faith. Why do we call the Holy Scriptures the Word of God? We call them the Word of God because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us throughout the Bible. As a person who was baptized and confirmed and continues to be an Anglican I hold this doctrine to be true. Please consider this collect from B.C.P: Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them. Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that, by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I was a teenager when the way was cleared for the ordination of women. I can remember a hubbub that was about at that time. I also remember thinking, what‘s the big deal? Many years later, as a New Years resolution, I began to read the bible cover to cover. It was at this time that I came across certain Scriptures that directly contradicted the practice of ordaining women. I had to come to terms with my attitude toward scripture. How am I to consider scripture? First lets consider some scripture that speaks about scripture. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (II Timothy 3:16) I will admit that what Paul is speaking of here is the Old Testament but the traditional church has held this is true of the New Testament also. So any scripture held as canonical by the church has its origin in the Holy Spirit. Is this a concept that has been in dispute? Did Paul claim to speak by the Spirit?