The following is a word for word quotation taken from page 184 of the book "Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches". The words are those of pastor Mark Driscoll and he is commenting on the beliefs and statements made by a female pastor (stated in the same book). "First, what is the appropriate role for a woman to hold in the leadership of a church? A hierarchical would say that women and men are created to operate in different ministry spheres, that women are unable to hold a church office and should focus solely on ministries for other women and children. A complementarian would answer that men and women are partners in every area of ministry, and that all church leadership is open to women with the singular exception of the office of elder/pastor. Ha As an unmarried woman who is the senior and only ordained leader in her church, Karen models this last position. I hold the complementarian position for four reasons. First, the foundational government upon which church and state rest is the government of the home, which the man is created to lovingly lead (Titus 2:3-5; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-7). Second, the Old Testament's highest spiritual office of priest was only open to qualified men. Third, Jesus chose only qualified men as his senior leaders. Fourth, the New Testament states that only a qualified man should hold the senior church leadership position of elder/pastor (1 Timothy 2:7-15; Titus 1:5-9). [the above] .............is the position of the early church fathers John Chrysostom, and Augustine, Catholic theologian Erasmus, Lutheran reformer Martin Luther, Presbyterian reformer John Calvin, and Baptist theologian John Gill." Taking them in the order that Mark stated above, here are the Scriptures that he referenced as quoted from the English Standard Version of the Bible: Titus 2:3-5 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be reviled. Ephesians 5:22-33 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh". This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife and himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Colossians 3:18-19 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 1 Peter 3:1-7 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, "they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives--when they see your "respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing-- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Timothy 2:7-15 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing-- if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. Titus 1:5-9 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you--if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer [elder], as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self- controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Humbly submitted by Mike O'Dea Mars Hill Church Seattle Theology Response Team theology@marshillchurch.org