by Kelly Pelton (written 11 Oct 2020)

In the wake of feminism,
Christian men coined a new term called 
"complementarianism,"
a reactionary stance walled

off from thoughtful analysis
of New Testament scriptural
glimpses of co-ed emphasis
in a kingdom supernatural.

I've listened for forty-plus years
to men in their speculation
on why "God says" only male peers
can shepherd the Christian nation,

as if scripture were cut and dry
(as at first glance one seems to be):
the church should its women deny
the leadership of God's family.

"Why would He do such a thing?" they
ask with faces of wonderment,
"His way is higher than our way,"
as though God defies sound judgment.

"It could be a deficiency,"
they offer, "Women tend to cave
because they think emotionally
on issues spiritually grave.

God equipped them for different roles,
not teaching or leading the church;
most likely their vulnerable souls
would be misled. Let us then search

for godly men whose grasp of truth
is not obscured by their feelings;
compared with men, women are youth
requiring our patient dealings."

Believe me, sisters, that these thoughts
are circulating even now,
based upon traditional "oughts,"
which to gender hierarchy bow.

The idols behind such charades
are power and control, such old
venerated concepts with shades
of Satan's finest worldly gold.