Published on May 27, 2024, 12:33 am

Jeff Iorg, the president of Gateway Seminary—a Southern Baptist Convention seminary—has voiced resistance to putting into action measures that would maintain the convention’s adherence to God’s word. Revealed in an article on Baptist Press, his apprehensions surrounding the Mike Law amendment about women in pastoral ministry stem from worries over church autonomy, administrative burdens, potential legal difficulties, and the wider consequences on cooperation and unity within the church. However, these fears neglect the crucial nature of compliance with God’s Word.

Iorg’s disconcertion about church self-governance is grossly misdirected since obedience is not an infringement on independence but a move towards biblical faithfulness—a form of “reformation.” The church shouldn’t be viewed as a democratic establishment where majority rules—it should be seen as a theocracy with Christ as its leader and His Word being the ultimate authority. Any compromise on this subject signifies compromising Scripture’s authority itself.

The belief that upholding biblical standards would place burdens on SBC from an administrative or legal standpoint is lacking in foresight. Divine commandments aren’t subject to our convenience or conflicting ideologies from churches rebelling against Him with women pastors. We learn from Scripture that obedience frequently comes at great personal and collective expense—yet it’s always necessary.

Financial implications also constitute a concern for Iorg: “GuideStone participants in excluded churches may lose their disability insurance (provided through partnerships with state conventions) and may lose other retirement benefits and protections tied to SBC affiliation.” He further asserts these benefits are legally defined and can’t be granted exemptions haphazardly.

However, history demonstrates God sustains those who stay true to their faith. The Israelites were kept alive during wilderness wandering, while early Christian believers thrived amidst persecution. New Testament scriptures illustrate divine provision: Jesus fed 5k people using five loaves of bread two fish; moreover, early congregation members shared their resources so no one was in need.

Iorg makes an argument that women serving in pastoral roles don’t commit sin, stating that the current amendment enforcing our doctrinal interpretation may result in hundreds of churches being excluded. However, the Bible is unequivocally clear on the role of women—the pastorate isn’t permitted for them. The Bible even categorizes female preachers as parts of disorderly worship and expressly forbids this practice.

The concern over unity within SBC also fails to account for a critical idea: concord achieved via compromise isn’t genuine unity—it’s found through obedience and conformity to God’s Word. Yielding to human statutes compromises dedication to God’s laws; moreover, such actions have always led to destruction and judgment throughout history. Both Old and New Testaments repeatedly warn against straying from divine commandments.

To ensure authentic news from a Christian worldview, trusted news needs full submission to Scripture’s authority. Obedience isn’t up for negotiation regardless of financial repercussions or any short-term difficulties it may entail—perfect obedience is always ultimately rewarding.