On June 18, 2006 the Episcopal Church chose Katharine Jefferts Schori as the first female “chief pastor” or bishop. Let’s apply the attitude and practice of the Bereans, who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things” that the apostle Paul taught them were “so.” In other words, if the Bereans were able to discover that Paul taught them something other than what can be supported by the Scriptures, then they would not believe the teaching nor follow it. So what does the Bible say, if anything, about Bishop selection?
There are two passages in the Bible that provide the church with qualifications for the office referred to as bishop, elder or presbyter. Those passages are 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Let's look at the qualifications pertinent to the discussion.
1 Timothy 3: 1,2 reads:
“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…”
Titus 1: 5 – 7 reads:
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-- if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God…”
Notice the wording in both passages. “If a man desires the position of a bishop…” and “If a man is blameless…” Paul used the word “man.” Could it be that Paul is using the word “man” to represent a generic “person”? That question is answered by reading further. In both passages Paul says that this man is to be “the husband of one wife.” It is apparent that Paul is not referring to “men” in general but that he has in mind a male who is married to a wife.
If it is acceptable to set aside this qualification so that a woman may be appointed, then any of the qualifications can be set aside. Are we willing to appoint as bishops those who are “quick tempered” or “unjust” or “unholy” or “violent”, all contrary to the qualifications delivered to us?
No. To approach the question in the same manner as the Bereans, whose attitude is recorded in the Scriptures as an example to all, we must search the Scriptures. In this case we find that the Scriptures show us that the Episcopal Church has not followed the revealed will of God in the appointment of Schori.
Do you have the attitude of the Bereans? Are you willing to let the Scriptures mold and shape your thinking on this subject?
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2 comments:
By this logic, only men WITH "one wife" and "faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination" should be considered as bishops. Men without a wife should not be considered. Men without children should not be considered. Bishops whose children do something wrong should lose their position.
If like this it kind of makes it more equal anyway, since it means a bishop is not a person, but a family, part of which is a woman.
Dave,
Thanks for your comment. I believe you are correct in your first paragraph and that the passage does set the limits as you indicate.
However, that logic as you call it does not make the bishop a family, it makes the bishop a family man.
To be president of the United States one must be a natural born citizen, be at least age 35 and a resident in the States for 14 years.
Is there any problem with my logic if I conclude that my 26 year old, greencard holding Italian daughter-in-law who has been in the US only 5 years cannot be president? Qualifications are designed to be selective. Some meet them. Others don't.
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