Sunday, January 21, 2007

No Women Need Apply

Paige Patteerson
Don't let that dimpled smile fool you. Paige Patterson is giving his fellow Southern Baptists a black eye once again. The Dallas Morning News tells the story. I should not have been surprised, but I was. And appalled.

Hebrew professor Dr. Sheri Klouda has left the building--um--the seminary. It seems that Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary powers-that-be must think God would be displeased by Professor Sheri Klouda continuing to teach Hebrew to men, even though she is evidently well qualified. Perhaps when she was studying at that same seminary someone should have told her to study music.

"Women have long taught at Southwestern outside the school of theology – in music and certain other areas. That continues. But under Dr. Patterson, the only woman still teaching in the school of theology is his wife, Dorothy. And she teaches women's studies courses that aren't attended by men," Dr. McClain said.

Let the ladies teach piano. Under Dr. Patterson the ONLY woman left in the theology department is his wife. I think she is most likely female.

And this is not seen as a problem?

It just gets worse and worse with some of those guys.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll bet his wife walks a narrow line.

LoieJ said...

I read about this elsewhere. It seems that they aren't really consistantly holding the line on this. Apparently she was allowed to continue teaching for 2 years before they completely bounced her. Oh, those tainted pastors-to-be that had her as a teacher for 2 years, poor things.

PS, my blogger sign in name got changed by accident, but I'm a consistant reader and commentor.

HeyJules said...

I'm sorry...what century is this again???

chartreuseova said...

I didn't recognize the guy in the picture.
When I started reading, I wasn't fully awake or wearing my glasses and read "dimpled fool".

Thought, "Oh my, I can't believe she wrote that," and read the line again and realized that wasn't what you wrote.

Then I read the rest. Maybe I'm a mind-reader. You were thinking that weren't you? But were too polite and principaled to say it.

much2ponder said...

This makes me very sad. I was hopeful of the change that is so necessary in order to get on with the work of God. God did not call one gender to teach another…he calls us, men AND women in other words, mankind to serve in the capacity he chooses to give each of us. Change is coming is inevitable, but some denominations are a bit slower than others.

Actually this is good and we can thank the Lord for it because it keeps the topic on the table. God knows and he is at work. Praise the Lord!

Iris said...

The body of Christ apparently has only male parts, according to these guys.

zorra said...

This grieves and angers me so much. The Scientist was raised Baptist, and we met and married in a Baptist church, so I have a soft spot in my heart for them, and over the past fifteen years or so I have just looked on in grief. The SBC was more open to women in ministry twenty years ago than it is now. The seminary's treatment of this professor is inexcusable.

Psalmist said...

I suppose Patterson would have a conniption fit over the fact that my seminary Hebrew prof was both female and a rabbi!

She could have taught "Brother Paige" a thing or two about what the Hebrew Scriptures do and do not say. (The lady grew up speaking, reading, and writing Hebrew, both modern and biblical; her own father was a highly respected rabbi.) But Patterson's little system protects him and "his boys," so they're sheltered from ever having to learn anything of spiritual importance from a woman. It's no wonder so many of these young guys come bounding out of seminary on a mission to put women back in "our place." Look at the example they've had before them! But it amazes me that Patterson is so respected, when he does so many disreputable things. Honestly, people keep saying "What's he going to do next?" here in SWBTS-land. Between the conservative SBs and the Episcopalian diocese, it's open season on women whom God has called to leadership in the church. I'm glad it's GOD we answer to, not Patterson, Iker, or anyone else who sets himself as a higher authority than God when it comes to who can and can't be called by God.

Anonymous said...

The only thing that comes to mind is:

And the sign said anybody caught trespassing would be shot on sight
So I jumped on the fence and yelled at the house, Hey! what gives you the right
To put up a fence to keep me out or to keep mother nature in
If God was here, he'd tell you to your face, man you're some kinda sinner

I'm not terribly familiar with the man, but I've already got a theory brewing about him.

If it's any consolation, I learn more each time you post than I would from a school full of him. You seem to have a pretty relatable take on things.

Nightmare

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

Ah, thanks Nightmare. :-)

When I was in the Twin Cities I had a hard time reaching Ruth till the last moment, and no way to contact you. Next time I will leave you a message in advance so you can send me your phone number and we can set up lunch, or coffee, or someting.