A new book has just recently been released by Concordia Publishing House entitled, Women Pastors? The Ordination of Women in Biblical Lutheran Perspective. Below is the product description from CPH:
As the ordination of women becomes more commonplace, it is important for all faithful Lutherans, clergy and laity alike, to be able to articulate why, because of the teachings of Holy Scripture, women should not be ordained as pastors. This book offers a rich variety of essays on this topic from the past century up to the present time, responding to the practice of placing women in the church’s pastoral ministry.
There are over twenty essays in this volume, representing Lutheran churches throughout the world. The essays are divided into four sections: Biblical studies, historical studies, doctrinal studies and practical studies.
Anders Nygren, a Lutheran theologian from the Church of Sweden, said prophetically after his church adopted the ordination of women as pastors, “This decision not only means a determination of the specific issue concerning female pastors, but, I am convinced, also means that our church has now shifted into a previously unknown path heading in the direction of Gnosticism and the Schwaermerei. . . I must declare my deep sorrow regarding the decision and give notice of my reservation over the same.”
Just how far this direction of Gnosticism and Enthusiasm has progressed in Lutheran churches that ordain women to be pastors is now quite apparent in Sweden, and elsewhere, where there are now blessings of same-sex unions and the ordination of practicing homosexuals.
The ordination of women as pastors is at the very center of the Lutheran Church’s struggle to retain a faithful view of the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God.
“Years ago, C.S. Lewis said that should the Church opt to ordain women, it would very quickly find that it had brought about a whole new religion. . . . His words have an uncanny prescience to them. Perhaps it is time to step back, reexamine what we have done, and if honesty requires us to say that we have done wrong, begin the necessary correction of the course.” from the essay in the book, How My Mind Has Changed, by Rev. Louis A. Smith, ELCA pastor
I have not had a chance to purchase this yet, though it is now on my “To Read” list. The price for this is $26.99 and is currently available. To order, contact CPH at 1-800-325-3040.
I look forward to ordering a copy when the Holidays are over myself.
Rev. Marsha Emrick
Pastor
Our Lady Star of the Sea, Gnostic Chapel