Embracing Complementarianism

Christopher Ash

I much enjoyed reading this fresh, sensitive, thoughtful, well-informed and engagingly positive treatment of what is so often seen as just a troublesome and controversial topic. The authors leave space for readers to come to different conclusions in detail, under the shelter of a glad affirmation of the goodness of the word of God in every passage of Scripture. I especially valued the tone of gentle gladness allied to a confident affirmation of essentials.

Carrie Sandom

The abuse of power by some prominent church leaders in recent years has left many in our constituency wondering if the complementarian position is as toxic as many of our opponents would suggest. Certainly, those who define complementarianism purely on the basis of what women cannot do are shooting themselves in the foot and exposing their ignorance. So, what does it mean to be complementarian, and how can we be sure that our biblical convictions are having a positive rather than a negative impact on our church culture? In this book, Graham and Jane are not just asking us to consider the biblical principles but actually show us (and model for us) what it means to embrace them and live by them. If we believe that God’s design for men and women is for our good, then embracing it is not an optional extra for Christians but absolutely key if our families and churches are to flourish.

A wise and irenic work

Is there a more contentious topic for church life than the matter of how men and women are to relate and partner in ministry? Conversations about this topic aren’t new, but they aren’t getting easier either. For this reason, I’m very glad for the rich resource of Embracing Complementarianism: Turning Biblical Convictions into Positive Church Culture.... continue reading

“Helpful and humble”

This is a helpful book to thoughtfully consider how to put into practice the Biblical conviction of complementarianism. Without telling the readers exactly what to do, the authors give clear Scripture support and application for how men and women should work alongside each other in ministry. They graciously cover a sensitive topic with an outpouring of Scripture and an obvious humility. Each chapter ends with reflective questions and group questions to dig in further. This would be a great book for church leaders to read and discuss together as they carefully consider how to put complementarianism into practice in a God-honoring and faithful way.

“Great”

Love opening w positivity

“A Great Introduction to a Big Topic”

Having seen myself as potentially a complementarian but without really thinking a huge amount about the theological arguments for each theological interpretation, this was a really helpful introduction to the subject before reading some more detailed, academic volumes.
The authors set out a clear scriptural case for complementarianism and, unlike many books on the topic that I've read recently, they also move from the theological discussion to a good wrestle with the application, particularly in the areas of church leadership, preaching, staff teams and similar areas of common questions. This will be really useful to think through with our staff team, whatever they think about complementarianism, so as to clarify our thoughts and study scripture together with some key questions at the end of each chapter. A bold book which will serve many congregations in the years to come.

“Very helpful”

This book was written for people like me: we believe in the authority of Scripture, we trust God even when He says things we find hard, countercultural or inexplicable. I've long been convinced of the complementarian interpretation of the Scriptures - that men and women are equal sharers in the image and glory of God and at the same time they have assymetric but complementing callings in God's church. However I have often felt embarrassed and confused by it in the egalitarian world in which we live.

Unfortunately, all too often complementation teaching goes no further than presenting a list of the things that women can and cannot do - especially focusing on the latter. However, this book wants to help us as individuals and church communities to strive to live into the positive and glorious opportunities opened up by the Scriptures.

In essence it challenges us to see that what God has said is good news and needs to be embraced and worked out in positive ways that release the gifts of women and opportunities to be fulfilled in God's service.

As I read many of the questions that have lurked under the surface in my mind were anticipated and answered. They also engage sensitively with the spectrum of thinking within the complementarian camp that was illuminating.

So compelling was the read that I finished the book in one evening! The practical appendices were also very helpful and reassuring that the way our church approaches these things is on the right track, even as we have more distance to travel along it. I will be preaching 1 Timothy 2:8-15 in a week's time and intend to advertise this book as a helpful resource for those interested in thinking more.

I received a copy of this book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.

“We need to do the hard work”

The point I appreciate most about this book will likely be the most contentious: it provides very few hard and fast instructions, instead pushing the reader to make up their own mind. What Beynon & Tooher recognize is that proper expression of male and female roles within the church cannot be divorced from their unique contexts. Certain roles which women perform without issue in some complementarian churches may appear to be a usurpation of male headship in others depending on a variety of factors. What this book does then, is help the reader process and work through those factors so that their complementarian expression can grow fuller, avoiding unbiblical restrictions on women 'just in case' or 'because it's simpler this way'. If you're willing to think hard, dive into this book.