I like this post. It’s silly to have anyone other than ordained men read scripture to the congregation. It’s why I refused to do “advent” readings as a family when asked during that time of year. Keep pushing this please it will iron out other problems at the same time.
I consider "Who ought to read scripture in public worship?" to be somewhat of a tempest in a teapot. The Scripture itself carries the authority, not the one who reads them. For many years, our PCA church had various men, some elders and some laymen, both read Scripture and pray in our morning worship service. Our pastor chose to do this because he saw the value of tapping into the strengths and abilities of congregation, notwithstanding the tradition of the PCA.
We recognize that the grace and efficacy of a sacrament is independent of the piety or intention of the one administering, and is totally dependent on the work of the Spirit. We should similarly recognize that the grace and efficacy of the Scripture is independent who is reading it, and is totally dependent on the work of the Spirit,
Let the Scripture be read by anyone who can read clearly and accurately. The Word and the Spirit say come!
The PCA has already placed many unordained woman experts above all officers except their immediate peers who collaborated to produce the DASA report. This report amounts to authority laundering, as it indicates elders are beholden to submit to its teachings on account of its self-styled faithfulness to, or true interpretation of, the Westminster standards.
Note: the theological section was written by a TE. Women were invited to contribute to the writing based on their area of expertise. The committee itself was made up of TEs and REs, who unanimously voted to approve the report and it's advice. Since there were no recommendations offered to the Assembly, the report remains the "pious advice" of a duly appointed ad interim committee of the General Assembly. I can see no breach of authority here. Everything was done decently and in order.
If the children of God have listened to their fathers in faith, they know that "the word of God is the only rule to direct us" and are constrained by the 5th commandment to heed the pious advice of elders.
The DASA report claims to be an expression of scriptural ethic and the Westminster Standards. Those officers who read it are gently reminded of their vows on the subject of standards. Yet, to heed would necessarily have officers coming under the authoritative declarations of expert women, since their contributions were regarded as essential and cannot be separated from the content or the declarative portions of it.
Ok but where in the scriptures themselves does it prohibit women from publicly reading scripture? If the confession adds to scripture that is unscriptural itself - right ?
Good and necessary inference. If the reading in public worship is an authoritative act...and even if only speaking Paul's prohibition may come into play.
I like this post. It’s silly to have anyone other than ordained men read scripture to the congregation. It’s why I refused to do “advent” readings as a family when asked during that time of year. Keep pushing this please it will iron out other problems at the same time.
I consider "Who ought to read scripture in public worship?" to be somewhat of a tempest in a teapot. The Scripture itself carries the authority, not the one who reads them. For many years, our PCA church had various men, some elders and some laymen, both read Scripture and pray in our morning worship service. Our pastor chose to do this because he saw the value of tapping into the strengths and abilities of congregation, notwithstanding the tradition of the PCA.
We recognize that the grace and efficacy of a sacrament is independent of the piety or intention of the one administering, and is totally dependent on the work of the Spirit. We should similarly recognize that the grace and efficacy of the Scripture is independent who is reading it, and is totally dependent on the work of the Spirit,
Let the Scripture be read by anyone who can read clearly and accurately. The Word and the Spirit say come!
Thankful for this post. Very much relates, it seems to me, with the WCF and WLC stating that only the minister may administer the sacraments.
The PCA has already placed many unordained woman experts above all officers except their immediate peers who collaborated to produce the DASA report. This report amounts to authority laundering, as it indicates elders are beholden to submit to its teachings on account of its self-styled faithfulness to, or true interpretation of, the Westminster standards.
Note: the theological section was written by a TE. Women were invited to contribute to the writing based on their area of expertise. The committee itself was made up of TEs and REs, who unanimously voted to approve the report and it's advice. Since there were no recommendations offered to the Assembly, the report remains the "pious advice" of a duly appointed ad interim committee of the General Assembly. I can see no breach of authority here. Everything was done decently and in order.
If the children of God have listened to their fathers in faith, they know that "the word of God is the only rule to direct us" and are constrained by the 5th commandment to heed the pious advice of elders.
The DASA report claims to be an expression of scriptural ethic and the Westminster Standards. Those officers who read it are gently reminded of their vows on the subject of standards. Yet, to heed would necessarily have officers coming under the authoritative declarations of expert women, since their contributions were regarded as essential and cannot be separated from the content or the declarative portions of it.
Can't have us learning from women... Even when vetted and approved by a committee of men.
Ok but where in the scriptures themselves does it prohibit women from publicly reading scripture? If the confession adds to scripture that is unscriptural itself - right ?
Good and necessary inference. If the reading in public worship is an authoritative act...and even if only speaking Paul's prohibition may come into play.