Mutuality
The Voice of Christians for Biblical Equality
From the Editor by Chelsea DeArmond
Equality is for everyone
Let us then pursue what makes for
peace and mutual upbuilding.
— Romans 14:19
What does the word “advocate” mean to you? No one
wants to be thought of as apathetic, but is advocacy
the best alternative? Before exploring the examples of
advocacy in this issue of Mutuality, I would like to take
a look at some common misconceptions about what it
means to be an advocate.
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 1
Are advocates just for special interest groups?
Mutuality seeks to provide inspiration, encouragement,
and information about equality within the Christian
church around the world.
One reason the term advocacy can make people
uncomfortable is that it is associated with special interest groups, instead of
regular people.
Are women a “special interest group”? Are people of color? Are the poor?
Martin Luther King Jr. said that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice
everywhere.” Biblical equality is for everyone. It is grounded in the most fundamental Christian beliefs: our creation in the image of God, our identity in
Christ, and our gifting by the Holy Spirit. Advocates for equality are serving
human interest.
President/Publisher :
Editor :
Graphic Designer :
Mimi Haddad
Chelsea DeArmond
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Mutuality welcomes submissions.
E-mail [email protected], write to CBE
for the writer’s guidelines, or visit CBE’s website and
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Christians for Biblical Equality grants permission for any
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use provided no more than 1,000 copies are made, they
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CBE is recognized as the source.
Mutuality (issn: 1533-2470) is published quarterly by
Christians for Biblical Equality and is sent free to members. For membership information, see page 31. To purchase back issues, contact our Editorial and Advertising
Office, or order online at www.equalitydepot.com.
Are advocates morally, politically, and/or theologically liberal?
At the turn of the twentieth century, fundamentalist leader John Roach Straton
zealously defended biblical inerrancy, creationism, the virgin birth, and Christ’s
divinity. He also defended women’s right to vote and scandalized his supporters by allowing a young girl named Uldine Utley to preach in his pulpit.
Though he was harshly criticized for taking a stand for women in the pulpit, Straton considered his support of Uldine Utley’s evangelism and teaching
ministry to be perfectly consistent with a rigorously inerrant view of Scripture.
In response to his critics, he wrote a pamphlet called “Does the Bible Forbid
Women to Preach and Pray in Public?” and refused to back down.
There is nothing inherently “liberal” about advocacy. In fact, because of
our commitment to living our beliefs, evangelical Christians should make
the best advocates of all.
Do advocates have to be famous in order to make a difference?
Sojourner Truth gained publicity when Harriet Beecher Stowe, the famous
author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, published an article about her in the Atlantic
Monthly. This publicity was helpful for Sojourner and her mission, but the
article’s tone was condescending and it contained many inaccuracies.
Sojourner sent a letter to the editor reminding readers that they could
find an accurate portrayal of her remarkable life in her autobiography, The
Narrative of Sojourner Truth. This book would not have been possible if it
hadn’t been for a much lesser known woman named Olive Gilbert. As a former
slave, Sojourner was never taught to read and write, so Olive Gilbert agreed
to help her tell her story in The Narrative. Sojourner used sales from this little
book to support herself as she traveled the country preaching and teaching.
Helping people find their own voices and use them is more valuable than
being a spokesperson for them. Advocacy is more about being faithful to
God’s call to love our neighbors than it is about fame. Jesus described the
kingdom of God as a tiny mustard seed. Though it starts small, its unstoppable growth spreads far and wide.
Chelsea DeArmond is Editor of Mutuality and Bookstore Coordinator at Christians
for Biblical Equality. She can be reached at [email protected]
bookstore: www.equalitydepot.com
Mutuality Spring 2007 |