The Historic-Egalitarian View: In Defense of Women Ministers Called of God

The historic-egalitarian view is powerfully set forth (scripturally, theologically, historically) as the received teaching and practice of the early Church. Special emphasis is placed on delineating not only between the historic- versus a modern-egalitarian view, but also between the early Church and the rise and development of the institutionalized/liturgically-developed Church. Many (perhaps most) think only in bilinear terms of either the complementarian view (i.e., women are not called or gifted to serve as ministers in the general assembly) or the egalitarian view (i.e., that God calls and gifts both men and women to serve as ministers in the general assembly). However, as Dr. Minkler has stated, "Not all egalitarians can be lumped together, for much of which goes under the banner of a modern-egalitarian view is emphatically opposed by historic-egalitarians." Dr. Minkler's labor in setting forth the distinction between historic- and modern-egalitarianism (while answering objections raised by both complementarians and modern-egalitarians alike), proves to be a powerful aid to anyone whose only desire in studying doctrine is to know, "...what does the Scripture say?" Dr. Minkler serves as the President of School of the Called Seminary--a seminary uniquely designed with pastors and their congregations in mind.