The Real State of Controversy in the Ordination Debate

The Lutheran Church is no stranger to internal controversy. The Book of Concord brought to a close the doctrinal divisions that had plagued the church for thirty years. It is especially the Epitome that sets forth the right way to proceed in disputes over doctrine:

• first, define the state of controversy;
• secondly, on the basis of Scripture affirm the true teaching;
• thirdly, reject the false doctrine.

The first step is fundamental; confusion over what divides the two parties must lead to misunderstandings and destructive assumptions. In the present debate on the ordination of women, the state of controversy has been skewed. So, for example, the Lutheran
(20 September 2004) has announced that there will be church-wide discussion once again, and it has summarised the point in question in the following words: “One essay will set out the case for the ordination of men only, and another will set out the case for the ordination of men and women.” This is a subversive statement and it obscures the real point at issue. It implies that “men only” is being opposed to “both men and women” as a sociological difference. It is suggesting that the one party wishes to entrench men in a hegemonic position in the church over against a party seeking to liberate women by treating them equal with men.

Put that way, and the result is a foregone conclusion. It is quite possible that some of those who were responsible for this formulation were fully aware of what they were doing.

The real point at issue in the debate is completely lost, that is, the correct understanding of Scripture. So far in all the discussions that have taken place in the past, the fact has been ignored that the LCA has a public doctrine that is part of the basis of the union of the two Lutheran churches. Since it is this public doctrine that is being challenged in the debate, it is here that the state of controversy should find its definition.

The doctrine reads as follows: “1 Cor. 14:34, 35 and 1 Tim. 2:11-14 prohibit a woman from being called into the office of the public ministry for the proclamation of the Word and the administration of the Sacraments.” On this basis, the point in question should be “Scripture prohibits women from holding the office of the ministry” over against “Scripture does not prohibit women from holding the office of the ministry.” By stating the two positions in these terms, subversive issues are excluded and the real concern, that is, the primacy of Scriptural teaching, is kept clearly in view.

In the present atmosphere of misinformation it is doubtful if the members of the church will be able to judge fairly on what is at stake. As in all debates, the end, if it is to be a God-pleasing and healing one, depends on the correctness of the beginning.

Pastor Peter Koehne