Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Rebekah and I had a great time away – this goes without saying. But this Sunday, a most beautiful fall day, it was wonderful to be here in North Carolina. To be back at home with Max, and to be in church too, worshiping and learning at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian.

Pastor Debbie shared another message in the “Reformers” sermon series. Mac had previously talked about John Calvin, and this week the focus was Marie Dentiere. Dentiere was a contemporary of Calvin’s and – like all the reformers – a controversial figure.

The controversy mostly stemmed from the fact that Dentiere was a women. She was a leader, she was a teacher, she was a writer, and she preached with great effect.

But pushback is not unusual:

But it was not unusual – is still not unusual today – for new and emerging movements to begin with open hearts and minds, full with a sense of God’s guidance, only to see over time a constriction of the spirit, and a reactionary pushing back, where patriarchy, inequality, chauvinism, and misogyny begin to reassert themselves.

This happened with early Methodism in England, where many women preachers blazed the path in rural areas, leading growing congregations. They were ordained by the church and encouraged in their work… until the movement began to become more established and the institution decided to revoke women’s credentials. “After Wesley’s death” the Dictionary of Methodism reports, “the Conference of 1803 pronounced ‘preaching by women both unnecessary and generally undesired’ and ordered women preachers to address only those of their own sex.”

Pastor Debbie used the 2023 “Barbie” movie to illustrate what so often happens. The power in charge wanted to put Barbie back in her box. It sounds farfetched, but we live in a time when many – including a growing number of politicians – want to undo the progress made towards equality.

But the heart of the gospel, the good news that Jesus lived and died in order to share, is always about freedom and new life and equality and fairness and opportunity.

It is the Spirit of God that invites both women and men to preach the good news about Jesus, and the spirit of repression and control and unbelief and hunger for power that works to make the women stop.

So I say, “You go, girl!” to Reformation leader Marie Dentiere; and “You make your voice count!” to Barbie; and “You preach it!” to Rebekah Maul, and Debbie Kirk (HMPC), and Shannon Kershner (Central in Atlanta), and Jordan Davis (St. Giles Raleigh), and Julie Pennington-Russell (1st Baptist Washington) and so many more.

The gospel is such good news because it rejects repression, and invites each one of us to embrace what is possible… and to truly live!

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:18-19