I am a complementarian, but this debate shows, to me, the need for an understanding of Christian essentials. If a doctrine isn't found in the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed, maybe we shouldn't make it an essential to the faith.

This is the value of doctrinal triage. I am MORE than satisfied with making complementarianism (in general - not some extreme version of it) a part of our confession as Southern Baptists, but when we make it a test of inerrancy or fidelity to Christ, we err.

AND, when we ignore clear biblical teachings about the qualifications of MEN to attack women who proclaim Christ, but don't do so according to our pharisaical patterns, we step outside the boundaries.

Autonomy is not just a liberal dodge, as some of the attack-Baptists would have you believe. It is a Baptist value. That means my church can adopt one set of guidelines and yours can adopt another, within the general boundaries of complementarianism.

What we CANNOT do is savage one another, tear down the body of Christ, assault our sisters, and call it discernment.

I fear we will never see revival or success as a denomination until A) our leaders take as firm a stand against the attack-Baptists as they have for complementarianism. Now is the time to lead, @ronniefloyd and seminary presidents, and other entity heads, and...

B) we must repent and apologize for allowing @BethMooreLPM @KSPrior @blondeorthodoxy @JackiCKing and a host of other women to be savaged, falsely accused, and torn apart by ungodly men who call themselves complementarians but are really misogynists.

We cannot stand idly by in the name of unity or fear or doctrinal purity while sinful men attack God's servants.