DOCSLIB.ORG

Great Is Thy Faithfulness PARK STREET CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT 2016 TABLE of CONTENTS

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Great Is Thy Faithfulness PARK STREET CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT 2016 TABLE of CONTENTS Great is Thy Faithfulness PARK STREET CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS Gordon Hugenberger, Senior Minister · 4 Walter Kim, Lead Minister · 8 Kris Perkins, Associate Minister of Families and Church Development · 10 Life of the Church · 12 Julian Linnell, Minister of Missions · 22 Financial Overview: Missions · 24 Partner Schools · 26 Bob Andersen, Church Administrator · 28 Bob Rawnsley, Clerk · 28 Financial Overview: Ministry & Operations · 29 Rich Elliott, Facilities Manager · 30 Herman Smith, Moderator · 31 List of Current Officers and Committee Members · 32 List of Current Staff · 34 ONE PARK STREET, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108 617.523.3383 www.parkstreet.org GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS Gordon P. Hugenberger SENIOR MINISTER In 1998, after my first seven months in point us more to God than to ourselves utes before the service, when he was this large amazing church, I reported: or to anything else. scheduled to preach. He was listening “increasingly I am trying to have only to Gospel music, and he explained that one priority: love—love for God, for he always listens to Gospel music right For example, most of our sermons—no His people, and for the lost.” I still want before he preaches. Another minister matter who is preaching-are designed this triad of love to be my priority, as it goes into the sanctuary before anyone to relate whatever issue may be the also should be the highest priority of else and prays in each section of the immediate topic to its answer in God’s this or any church. Nevertheless, if it has pews for those who will soon be sitting love for us. Our supreme need is to been our priority, as I believe it has, it is there. Still another minister prays and know God better and to love Him more fair to ask whether we have any results studies long hours for the contents of as the One who created the universe, to show for it. As Winston Churchill a sermon, but then deliberately under- died for us, and fills us with His Spirit once said, “However beautiful the prepares how he will deliver it. This way, to enable us to love others with His strategy, you should occasionally look at he never goes into the pulpit feeling love. If this is the chief priority for the results.” Of course, when it comes too comfortable. Instead, he desperately every sermon, the preacher himself is to an inner quality like love, any true seeks the Spirit’s help, praying that God compelled to be an example of it as he measure of its attainment will have to will give him the words to say at that preaches with a burning love for God in await God’s final judgment. This report, moment, just as Jesus promised (Mark his own heart and in constant depen- however, and the accompanying reports 13:11). The evidence whether God does dence on the Holy Spirit. highlight ways we have sought, with so is not eloquence, but whether lives God’s help, to foster an increase in love are changed and hearts set on fire. and at least some of the encouraging The greatest fear of preachers is that results. someday we might find ourselves in the MORE LOVE FOR EACH OTHER pulpit sharing some thrilling life-chang- ing truth from God’s Word, but doing MORE LOVE FOR GOD Jesus said, “By this all men will know so in a rote manner, merely relying on that you are my disciples, if you love our natural abilities or on a well-craft- The Bible insists, “We love because He one another” (John 13:35). Of course, ed manuscript. The great, 18th century first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The starting we cannot love each other, if we do not evangelist, George Whitefield, was once point for any effort to foster greater love know each other or spend any time asked to explain the spiritual emptiness for God is necessarily a growing appre- together. This realization explains why he found when he came to Boston. He ciation of His immeasurably great love twenty years ago we instituted a practice wrote, “I am persuaded [that] the gen- for us. Although each of us gets a fresh of offering light refreshments once a erality of preachers talk of an unknown chance “morning by morning” to discov- month after the morning service, and and unfelt Christ. The reason why con- er new mercies of God, it is especially more often a light supper after our eve- gregations have been so dead is because through our times of corporate worship ning service. That modest beginning has they had dead men preaching to them.” that we deepen our understanding and grown to our current practice of home- How can we avoid this lethal problem? awareness of God’s love and, conse- made refreshments nearly every Sunday quently, are inspired to much greater morning, thanks to a rotation of more love for Him and for others. This is why Recently, I caught one of my fellow than 100 dedicated cooks, bakers, serv- we shape our services so that they will ministers in his office just fifteen min- ers, and those willing to clean up. We 4 5 NEARLY EVERYTHING THAT THE CHURCH DOES, WHETHER WORSHIP, THE STUDY OF GOD’S WORD, FELLOWSHIP, THE ENJOYMENT OF GOD’S GOOD CREATION, AND SO ON, CAN AND WILL BE DONE BETTER IN ETERNITY. DESPITE THIS, THE LORD HAS LEFT HIS CHURCH IN THE WORLD BECAUSE THERE IS ONE THING THAT CAN ONLY BE DONE IN THIS LIFE: SHARING THE LIFE-CHANGING GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW HIM. now also enjoy all-church brunches and of pastors or lay leaders. Instead, it and for their members by name. These in some other ministry. Your gifts are world missions (about 40% of our total committees in the months ahead in all frequent meals after our 4:00 service. rests with the members of the church, other committees serve the church and needed and prized, and your ministry budget), our ministry to internation- that they do. Pray also that, as the Lord especially when expressed at an Annual make decisions that are no less con- of love toward others truly matters to als, our outreach to the homeless, and wills, they would discern and take what- Meeting or a special meeting of the sequential as that represented by the our Savior! As Jesus said, “I tell you the especially our longstanding concern for ever steps might be needed to attract A concern for genuine friendship also congregation. From there, leadership Senior Minister Search Committee. Ac- truth, whatever you did for one of the the quarter million students in Great- and enable many more of the current explains why we have invested so much authority is mediated for most practical cordingly, this Annual Report lists more least of these brothers of mine, you did er Boston, most of whom have never generation of students to have the same energy in building and strengthening purposes through the elected represen- committees than previously, with the for me’” (Matthew 25:40). heard a compelling presentation of the experience of God’s love at this awe- our 75 or so small groups. According to tatives of the congregation, namely the names of their members and the year Gospel. Many in this church, my wife some church as did earlier generations. our last survey, more than 50% of those Elders, and also through other com- their current period of service began. and I included, have a love debt to Park who attend Park Street are involved MORE LOVE FOR THE LOST mittees that are appointed or approved Please join me in giving thanks to God Street Church because when we were in a small group. Anecdotal evidence Your brother in Christ, by the Elders. Of course, the priority for the faithful and loving service of so students, here is where we first heard confirms not only the positive impact It has been said that a church is the on love mandates that each committee many leaders in our church. Encourage the Gospel in a way that made sense of these groups on the faith and biblical only fellowship in the world that exists be conducted in prayerful dependence them in their work and assure them of and answered our questions, and here is understanding of those who participate, for the sake of non-members. Nearly on God and its meetings (the way each your prayers. where we first saw the faith being lived but also how many significant friend- everything that the church does, wheth- member is genuinely valued, etc.) and out by those who were much older, yet ships have developed in these. er worship, the study of God’s word, Gordon P. Hugenberger, PhD its decisions characterized by love. clearly loved us. Here too is where we We are a congregational church in every fellowship, the enjoyment of God’s good Senior Minister caught our own vision for bringing the sense! We thank you and praise God creation, and more, can and will be done A priority on loving each other also Gospel into the workplace and to the Recently, we have been asked to pray for your love, whether you are serving better in eternity. Despite this, the Lord explains how much of our leadership ends of the earth. Here, in other words, regularly for every aspect of the work of on a committee, or serving guests at our has left His church in the world because functions. We are a congregational is where we first witnessed that triad of the Senior Minister Search Committee.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Exploring Boston's Religious History
    Exploring Boston’s Religious History It is impossible to understand Boston without knowing something about its religious past. The city was founded in 1630 by settlers from England, Other Historical Destinations in popularly known as Puritans, Downtown Boston who wished to build a model Christian community. Their “city on a hill,” as Governor Old South Church Granary Burying Ground John Winthrop so memorably 645 Boylston Street Tremont Street, next to Park Street put it, was to be an example to On the corner of Dartmouth and Church, all the world. Central to this Boylston Streets Park Street T Stop goal was the establishment of Copley T Stop Burial Site of Samuel Adams and others independent local churches, in which all members had a voice New North Church (Now Saint Copp’s Hill Burying Ground and worship was simple and Stephen’s) Hull Street participatory. These Puritan 140 Hanover Street Haymarket and North Station T Stops religious ideals, which were Boston’s North End Burial Site of the Mathers later embodied in the Congregational churches, Site of Old North Church King’s Chapel Burying Ground shaped Boston’s early patterns (Second Church) Tremont Street, next to King’s Chapel of settlement and government, 2 North Square Government Center T Stop as well as its conflicts and Burial Site of John Cotton, John Winthrop controversies. Not many John Winthrop's Home Site and others original buildings remain, of Near 60 State Street course, but this tour of Boston’s “old downtown” will take you to sites important to the story of American Congregationalists, to their religious neighbors, and to one (617) 523-0470 of the nation’s oldest and most www.CongregationalLibrary.org intriguing cities.
    [Show full text]
  • REV. DR. DAVID L. PALMER 6650 Spring Arbor Dr
    REV. DR. DAVID L. PALMER 6650 Spring Arbor Dr. Mason, OH 45040 [email protected] EDUCATION Ph.D. New Testament Backgrounds, Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, OH, 2010 Dissertation: The Philosophical Argument and Use of Scripture in 4 Maccabees Readers: Dr. Adam Kamesar and Dr. Richard Sarason M.Phil. Hebrew and Cognate Studies, Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, OH, 2004 Hellenistic Civilization and Culture, University of Athens, Athens, GREECE, 2000 Th.M. Biblical Theology, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA, 1999 Thesis: Matthew’s hermeneutical and theological appropriation of Zechariah 9:9 for the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem Readers: Dr. Gregory K. Beale and Dr. Moisés Silva M.Div. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA, 1997 B.A. History, Huntington University, Huntington, IN, 1992 L’Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, FRANCE, 1991 L’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, CANADA, 1990 CURRENT POSITION Senior Pastor, Kenwood Baptist Church, Cincinnati, OH, 2012-present Adjunct Faculty in New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 2012-present MINISTRY EXPERIENCE Senior Pastor, Kenwood Baptist Church, 2012-present Expository preaching ministry from both Old and New Testament Growing international congregation of 700 members with twenty native languages Extensive university ministry, especially to international and medical students Annual budget 1.2 million, last year total revenue 1.9 million Servant leadership with a gifted ministry team of twelve staff, men and women Associate Pastor,
    [Show full text]
  • “It's Just Divorce”
    Reformed Theological Seminary A JUST DIVORCE: Divorce That is Right and Just and Fair An Integrative Thesis Submitted to Dr. Howard Griffith In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts By John S. Weaver Mount Airy, Maryland May 2007 A JUST DIVORCE: Divorce That is Right and Just and Fair Copyright ©May 2007 by John S. Weaver All rights reserved ii Table of Contents Page Content v Abstract vi Abbreviations 1 Chapter One: INTRODUCTION: SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE 1 It’s Just Another Divorce 1 The Covenantal Character of Marriage 11 Chapter Two: ANCIENT PROLOGUE TO NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING: BIBLICAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND 11 Introduction 12 Old Testament Background 16 Ancient Near East 16 Sumerian Law – Ur-Nammu Law Code and Laws of Lipit-Ishtar (Twenty-first and Nineteenth Century BCE) 17 Old Babylanian: Laws of Eshnunna and Code of Hammurabi (Nineteenth and Eighteenth Century BCE) 19 Hittite Laws: Old Hittite Kingdom (Seventeenth to Sixteenth Century BCE) 21 Middle Assyrian Laws: Tilgath-Pilser (Eleventh Century BCE) 23 Neo-Babylonian Laws (Seventh Century BCE) 23 Elephantine (Upper Egypt) (Fifth Century BCE) 27 Distinctions Between Mesopotamian and Israel Law 28 Mishnah 30 Roman and Greek Marriage 34 Chapter Three: DIVORCE: IS IT PERMISSIBLE? 34 Jesus and the Rabbinical Debate: Rabbis Hillel and Shammai 36 The Synoptic Gospels 42 Paul’s Authoritative Teaching 47 Chapter Four: IS REMARRIAGE ALLOWED? 48 Writings from the Early Church 48 The Shepherd of Hermas 49 Justin Martyr 51 Athenagoras 52 Tertullian 54 Clement of Alexandria 54 Origen 55 Jerome 55 Chrysostom iii Page Content 56 Augustine 58 Roman Catholic: Sacrament of Marriage 59 The Reformation: John Calvin’s Geneva 65 The Puritans 66 Conclusion 67 Chapter Five: A JUST DIVORCE PROPOSAL 67 Introduction: A Just War Analogy 69 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Freedom Trail N W E S
    Welcome to Boston’s Freedom Trail N W E S Each number on the map is associated with a stop along the Freedom Trail. Read the summary with each number for a brief history of the landmark. 15 Bunker Hill Charlestown Cambridge 16 Musuem of Science Leonard P Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge Boston Harbor Charlestown Bridge Hatch Shell 14 TD Banknorth Garden/North Station 13 North End 12 Government Center Beacon Hill City Hall Cheers 2 4 5 11 3 6 Frog Pond 7 10 Rowes Wharf 9 1 Fanueil Hall 8 New England Downtown Crossing Aquarium 1. BOSTON COMMON - bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets Initially used for grazing cattle, today the Common is a public park used for recreation, relaxing and public events. 2. STATE HOUSE - Corner of Beacon and Park Streets Adjacent to Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House is the seat of state government. Built between 1795 and 1798, the dome was originally constructed of wood shingles, and later replaced with a copper coating. Today, the dome gleams in the sun, thanks to a covering of 23-karat gold leaf. 3. PARK STREET CHURCH - One Park Street, Boston MA 02108 church has been active in many social issues of the day, including anti-slavery and, more recently, gay marriage. 4. GRANARY BURIAL GROUND - Park Street, next to Park Street Church Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and the victims of the Boston Massacre. 5. KINGS CHAPEL - 58 Tremont St., Boston MA, corner of Tremont and School Streets ground is the oldest in Boston, and includes the tomb of John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
    [Show full text]
  • Women in Hebrew and Ancient Near Eastern Law
    Studia Antiqua Volume 3 Number 1 Article 5 June 2003 Women in Hebrew and Ancient Near Eastern Law Carol Pratt Bradley Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/studiaantiqua Part of the Near Eastern Languages and Societies Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Bradley, Carol P. "Women in Hebrew and Ancient Near Eastern Law." Studia Antiqua 3, no. 1 (2003). https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/studiaantiqua/vol3/iss1/5 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Studia Antiqua by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Women in Hebrew and Ancient Near Eastern Law Carol Pratt Bradley The place of women in ancient history is a subject of much scholarly interest and debate. This paper approaches the issue by examining the laws of ancient Israel, along with other ancient law codes such as the Code of Hammurabi, the Laws of Urnammu, Lipit-Ishtar, Eshnunna, Hittite, Middle Assyrian, etc. Because laws reflect the values of the societies which developed them, they can be beneficial in assessing how women functioned and were esteemed within those cultures. A major consensus among scholars and students of ancient studies is that women in ancient times were second class, op- pressed, and subservient to men. This paper approaches the subject of the status of women anciently by examining the laws involving women in Hebrew law as found in the Old Testament, and in other law codes of the ancient Near East.
    [Show full text]
  • Download a Pdf File of This Issue for Free
    Issue 92: America’s 20th Century Evangelical Awakening A New Evangelical Awakening: Did You Know? Interesting and Little Known Facts about America's Mid Century Evangelical Resurgence "Mr. Evangelical" One of the most important 20th-century shapers of modern evangelicalism was a man whose name is unknown to most evangelicals today: Harold John Ockenga (AH-ken-gay). During his lifetime Ockenga served as founder and first president of the National Association of Evangelicals; president of the American Board of the World Evangelical Fellowship; president, co—founder, and later Chairman of the Board of Fuller Theological Seminary; Chairman of the Board of CHRISTIANITY TODAY magazine; a member of the board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; pastor of historic Park Street Church in Boston for more than three decades; and the founding president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His remarkable oratorical skills and visionary speeches made him evangelicalism's most trusted voice for decades. Billy Graham, whose fame has now eclipsed his mentor, claimed that he never made a major decision in his life without first consulting Ockenga. [See America's Hour Has Struck for more about Ockenga.] —contributed by Garth Rosell Election redirection The New Evangelicals were determined to infuse the public square—including the political arena‐ with the truths of Christianity. In the midst of the 1952 presidential campaign, a group of Christians led by former Youth for Christ president Torrey Johnson held their own "campaign" on the heels of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in an attempt to spark discussion of spiritual issues. "We feel the time has come when the entire nation should pray for guidance in the coming elections," Johnson said.
    [Show full text]
  • Of Prayerdays
    50of PrayerDays SUMMER 2019 PRAYER GUIDE “Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.” I John 5:14–15 Leadership “The Holy Spirit comes when He is cried for, sighed for and prayed for.” Karl Barth & Facilities DAY 1 BOARD OF ELDERS o That they prioritize prayer as a Board, seeking the Holy Spirit at all times in their decision making. o That the Spirit of unity will continue to draw our leaders and congregation together. o For wisdom to shepherd our congregation effectively in this season. DAY 2 MINISTERS & STAFF o That they will keep their eyes on God and be wise in leading God’s people. o That they will keep a vibrant, intimate love for Christ, seeking the daily filling of the Spirit from which to serve. o That they will beware of the temptation to rely on their own strength, and keep healthy boundaries for their personal and family life. DAY 3 SENIOR MINISTER SEARCH COMMITTEE o For the committee to sense the Lord’s leading and the strength of the Holy Spirit in their lives. o That every member would pray fervently for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and support as they begin their deliberations. o That we as a congregation will commit to praying regularly for spiritual protection for the committee and their families. DAY 4 OPERATING COMMITTEES o Thank God for all who are willing to serve on these committees (Fi- nance & Administration, Personnel, Nominating, etc.) and pray that more will serve.
    [Show full text]
  • ANNUAL REPORT Annual Reportcontents
    2015ANNUAL REPORT annual reportCONTENTS GORDON HUGENBERGER Senior Minister 4 WALTER KIM Associate Minister 6 KRIS PERKINS Associate Minister of Families and Church Development 7 LIFE OF THE CHURCH Ministry Reports 8 JULIAN LINNELL Minister of Missions 12 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW Missions 13 PARTNER SCHOOLS 15 BOB ANDERSEN Church Administrator 16 DOUG MAY Moderator 16 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW Ministry & Operations 17 BOB RAWNSLEY Clerk 18 RICH ELLIOTT Facilities Manager 18 LIST OF CURRENT STAFF AND LEADERS 19 weeks on this controversial topic!), and slavery were answered to tackled some very important challenges currently facing the church. refute the claims of so-called “progressive” Christians who use these Although we are still one of the largest Protestant churches in New teachings to imply that we cannot trust the Bible’s ethical teachings, England, and although the age distribution of our congregation whether on these matters or on the controversial issue of same-sex should make us the envy of sister churches (25% are in their 20s, relationships. Finally, this fall we started a morning sermon series, 25% are in their 30s, 14% are in their 40s, 15% are between 50 and “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” on the theme of sanctification. We rejected 64, etc.), nevertheless, we have experienced a significant decline in the popular assumption that the Christian life is supposed to be easy our attendance since 2004. That decline has been almost entirely or comfortable. Instead, we reminded ourselves of the liberating but among our student population, and to a lesser degree, among those stern calling of the Savior for each of us to pursue holiness, repent who are 20 year-olds.
    [Show full text]
  • COLLECTION 0062: Harold John Ockenga: Presidential Papers, 1929-1977 Fuller Seminary Archives and Special Collections
    Fuller Theological Seminary Digital Commons @ Fuller List of Archival Collections Archives and Special Collections 2017 COLLECTION 0062: Harold John Ockenga: Presidential Papers, 1929-1977 Fuller Seminary Archives and Special Collections Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/findingaids Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the Missions and World Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Fuller Seminary Archives and Special Collections, "COLLECTION 0062: Harold John Ockenga: Presidential Papers, 1929-1977" (2017). List of Archival Collections. 4. https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/findingaids/4 This Finding Aid is brought to you for free and open access by the Archives and Special Collections at Digital Commons @ Fuller. It has been accepted for inclusion in List of Archival Collections by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Fuller. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Archives, Rare Books and Special Collections David Allan Hubbard Library Fuller Theological Seminary COLLECTION 62: Harold John Ockenga: Presidential Papers, 1929-1977 Administrative Information Title: Harold John Ockenga: Presidential Papers, 1929-1977 Collection Identifier: CFT00062 Creators: Ockenga, Harold John, 1905-1985 Size: 2 Boxes, 1 linear foot Repository: David Allan Hubbard Library Fuller Theological Seminary 135 N Oakland Ave Pasadena, CA 91182 [email protected] Provenance: Audio recordings from Fuller’s Media Services (ATC) Conditions Governing Access/Restrictions: Scholarly use with parameters of copyright law Language: English Processing: Nancy Sanders Gower Finding Aid Revisions: December 2017 by Alyson Thomas Biography Harold John Ockenga (June 6, 1905 – February 8, 1985) was a leading figure of 20th century American evangelicalism, a leader in the reform movement known as "Neo-Evangelicalism." A Congregational minister, Ockenga served for many years as pastor of Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts.
    [Show full text]
  • JESUS' COVENANT of GRACE with the CHURCH a PREVIEW in Part
    COVENANT THEOLOGY PART 4 - JESUS’ COVENANT OF GRACE WITH THE CHURCH A PREVIEW In Part 4 we see that, because Jesus is the successful Servant of God the Father's Covenant of Works with God the Son, Jesus becomes the Lord and Mediator of another covenant...a Covenant of Grace with the Church! RESOURCES This series of lectures is based on and in many instances taken directly from the works of Meredith Kline, Lee Irons, Gordon Hugenberger, Rick Lints and many conversations with pastor friends and fellow covenant theologians. ​ A REVIEW We’re going to begin where we left off in Gen 3. Specifically Gen 3:14-21. This is the announcement, the promise of salvation right after the fall. And this good news for us comes as a declaration of war against our enemy, the devil, and as a pronouncement, as a prophecy of our enemy’s defeat by another Adam. And the crux of the prophecy is in v.15 with this bruising or striking or crushing of the serpent’s head AND the heel of the woman’s offspring. These are death blows to the devil and this Second Adam BUT they will mean salvation for God’s people. The First Adam failed to fulfill his Covenant of Works between him and God. So God the Father makes another Covenant of Works with a Second Adam = God the Son. Second Adam’s work: 1) doing what First Adam failed to do in resisting and judging the devil and fathering a people AND 2) giving up his life = dying and paying the penalty for Adam’s and for our disobedience.
    [Show full text]
  • In 1 Timothy 2?
    [MJTM 10 (2008–2009) 3–21] WHO IS THE “WOMAN” IN 1 TIMOTHY 2? John R. Master Philadelphia Biblical University, Langhorne, PA and Jonathan L. Master Capital Bible Seminary, Lanham, MD Introduction No passage of Scripture has engendered more debate regarding women in ministry than 1 Timothy 2. Although it does not speak directly to the question of female ordination, it has often been used in that regard. But it seems that some basic questions may not have received the attention they deserve. Framework for This Discussion Thomas Schreiner, in a book edited with Andreas Köstenberger, explores two of the options regarding 1 Timothy 2 and the implications of some of these options: What is meant by the word gunai=kaj in verse 9 and throughout the rest of this passage? Does it refer to women in general, or more specifically to wives? If it refers to wives both here and in subsequent verses, then women are not forbidden from teaching publicly in church. They are merely prohibited from teaching and exercising authority over their husbands.1 Elsewhere, various other questions have been asked about this text. The nature of “exercising authority” has been argued at length and, in our opinion, convincingly, in the volume edited by 1. Schreiner, “Interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:9–15,” 92–93. Note that gunh/, gunai=kej, gunai=ka, and gunai=kaj used in this article are all case forms of the same Greek word. 4 McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 10 Porter and Carson.2 Another of the major disagreements relates to the question of the normative nature of 1 Timothy 2.3 Some, such as Stendahl, would argue that Gal 3:28 needs to be under- stood as the determinative text, with 1 Timothy 2 and others reflecting the incorrect biases of the apostle Paul.4 In this regard, it is also useful to note the categories into which Hoch divides his selected bibliography on the subject: non-evangelical egali- tarian, evangelical egalitarian, and hierarchicalist.
    [Show full text]
  • Women in Church Office: Hermeneutics Or Exegesis? a Survey of Approaches to 1 Tim 2:8-15
    JETS 35/3 (September 1992) 341-360 WOMEN IN CHURCH OFFICE: HERMENEUTICS OR EXEGESIS? A SURVEY OF APPROACHES TO 1 TIM 2:8-15 GORDON P. HUGENBERGER* It has become commonplace in recent scholarship to acknowledge the determinative role of hermeneutics in the discussion of the Scriptural right of women to hold church office.1 Even if I was competent to do so, in the present study it is not my concern to address the larger issues raised by women's ordination or feminism. My concern, rather, is to demonstrate that while the crucial role of hermeneutics is not to be denied, the current discussion still appears to be vexed all too frequently by an assumed but perhaps faulty exegesis of the relevant Biblical texts. As an illustration of this point the present essay will consider 1 Tim 2:8-15, generally conceded to be the most forceful of the handful of NT passages that appear to oppose the right of women to hold church office.2 For convenience I will begin with a summary of what may be called the "traditional" exegesis of 1 Tim 2:8-15. Following this I will analyze four alternative hermeneutical approaches to this widely held exegesis, which, it turns out, reflect alternative assessments of Paul's use of the example of Adam and Eve. Finally I will offer my own exegesis of the passage and seek to demonstrate that all four alternative approaches err by failing to note that Paul cites Adam and Eve precisely because his concern in this text is not with male-female relationships in general but with the husband-wife marital relationship in particular.
    [Show full text]