Description
Author, Michael Edgecombe. 147 pages, paperback. Published by The Christadelphian (CMPA) in 2011
A review of Scripture's consistent teaching on man and woman in the purpose of God, beginning in Genesis, and concluding in Revelation- the order in which God has chosen to reveal Himself, His Son & His will for us.
This book was developed from a series of articles under the same title, which ran in The Christadelphian from January 2008 to May 2009.
A six page scripture index is included.
Review of the Book
When the Christadelphian community was established it sought to free itself from the shackles of false Christianity and recapture the purity of Apostolic belief and practice. It is essential that brothers and sisters of the Lord turn their back on the practices and attitudes of the world and it is at least as important that they reject the errors of corrupted Christianity. This was a struggle in the first century and the nineteenth century and it remains a struggle in the twenty-first century.
In the nineteenth century our pioneer brethren modelled ecclesial practices as closely as possible on principles drawn from the New Testament. Thus our community was established as an egalitarian lay community – professional and unskilled workers, middle and lower classes, men and women all worked together to promote the gospel. From the earliest days, all members of the ecclesia regardless of gender could vote in ecclesial elections and at business meetings where the activities of the individual congregations were determined. The early volumes of The Christadelphian provide ample evidence that both brothers and sisters were actively engaged in activities that involved teaching, preaching, music, preparing candidates for baptism, writing and welfare. The only sphere of activity closed to sisters was the leadership and teaching at formal meetings of the ecclesias. This restriction was based on passages such as 1 Corinthians 14 and 1 Timothy 2.
From time to time in our history voices have arisen to challenge the generally accepted understanding of the differing roles of brother and sisters in the ecclesia. Movements such as the suffragettes led some brothers and sisters to question the Bible’s teaching in this area. At times a few who were seduced by unsound ideas on the subject made shipwreck of their faith, but until a second wave of feminism swept the western world in the 1960’s and 1970’s questions about gender and ecclesial service had only a marginally destabilizing influence on ecclesial harmony. This is no longer the case. The ecclesial world in the closing decades of the twentieth and the early years of the twenty-first century has been troubled by increasing agitation about these issues. Inevitably this has led to extreme positions being adopted at both ends of the spectrum, considerable disharmony within and between ecclesias and a disheartening of many of Christ’s little ones.
Given the active promotion of unsound teachings on the role of sisters in the ecclesias, much of it via electronic means which facilitate unscreened and unscrupulous propaganda, it is timely that a concise and highly readable book on the subject has been published. Bro Michael Edgecombe’s In the Image of God is based on a series of articles under that title that he wrote jointly with Bro Russell Taylor and Sis Rebecca Lines (now Archer) which were published in The Christadelphian magazine from 2008 to 2010.
Commencing with the creation record, Bro Michael presents a compelling case using profound yet accessible language. He establishes very early the essential point that the Bible’s teaching on the roles of brothers and sisters is rooted in events surrounding creation rather than in the consequences of the Fall as some have suggested. This is a vital point when interpreting New Testament teaching on the subject which itself is based on the early chapters of Genesis.
When appropriate Bro Edgecombe’s conclusions are presented quite starkly, their boldness standing out all the more because in several places he clearly acknowledges that what he offers is only tentative or speculative. The author is unequivocal about the key issues, however, because he recognises that loose thinking and unsound teaching has a devastating impact on individuals and ecclesias. These principles are not ones on which we may agree to differ.
The text is sparkling in sections. Particularly enjoyable in this vein is Bro Michael’s demolition of the suggestion that Jesus appointed only male Apostles because he was concerned to avoid challenging societal norms. The dramatic, staccato presentation of the vast number of instances when our Lord deliberately challenged such norms – sustained over several pages – is quite powerful.
Bro Michael’s tone is overwhelmingly positive. He approaches the subject from a Scriptural perspective to demonstrate that the Bible’s teaching on this issue is integrated with the broader redemptive plan under which God is calling out from the nations a people for His name who shall become the bride of His son. The author does not close his eyes to the negative, however, and his approach to countering the key radical positions achieves a remarkable balance between being polemical and ignoring the elephant in the room. Without becoming unduly polemical and without citing specific Christadelphian works promoting the radical agenda, the author tackles head-on several of the key arguments used by those who would challenge the Bible’s teaching in respect of the roles of brothers and sisters in the ecclesia. The book will, therefore, prove invaluable for all who have been troubled by those who sow discord in the ecclesial world in relation to this subject.
The question of head coverings at ecclesial meeting is discussed in two chapters devoted to that issue. It is a sad indictment on our community that this should have become such a controversial issue in recent years. The case for sisters covering their head (presented alongside the concomitant case for brethren keeping their head uncovered) at the memorial meeting is underpinned by sound exposition. Bro Michael acknowledges, however, the need for discretion as to how the principle laid down by Paul is applied and accepts that at the margins there is likely to be variations in practice.
There is a strong tone of respect throughout the book for the contributions that can and should be made to ecclesial life by sisters. In the penultimate chapter the author provides practical advice about avenues of service that are open to sisters within the Biblical model he presents. It must be said that not all ecclesias have recognised and utilised the potential of their sisters to the fullest extent possible and we would all do well to review this list and consider whether we have been too restrictive in our approach in the past.
As well as providing a positive and uplifting answer to false teaching on gender-related issues in the household of faith, which is the focus of the work, In the Image of God includes exposition and advice of more general interest. As with the main theme, this is well founded on sound exegesis. For example, the book deals very sensitively with the valuable contribution that is made in the ecclesial world of those who are unmarried. There is also useful advice based on Paul’s writings in Ephesians and Colossians, and on Peter’s words in 1 Peter, for enhancing the spiritual effectiveness of the marriage state.
The author’s remarks on elders and deacons in the first century and their respective counterparts in the twenty-first century are well made and will reward thoughtful consideration, as will his observations about prophets and prophecy. His observations on Sarah, Miriam and Deborah, while offered in the context of building the basic premises of the book, provide useful insights into the characters of these faithful sisters. These and other expositional gems add to the value of the work.
In the Image of God is an enjoyable book to read. More importantly, it is a valuable contribution to the discussion of issues relating to gender and service in the ecclesia. Its publication at this time is very welcome. There is no doubt that it will be closely scrutinised by those who support its conclusions as well as those whose views it challenges. It is hoped that all who read it will find much to challenge their preconceived notions, strengthen their faith and help them prepare for the day when the ecclesia is united with its bridegroom in the glories of the age of come.
Geoff Henstock
This review was first published in The Testimony in September 2011