The Pentecostal Gender Paradox

on living hopefully

A few weeks ago, I mentioned a book. I finished reading it, finally. It took some time because it’s academic, and thus a slower read; but also because it’s a topic that impacts me personally, and I had to keep setting the book down to process my thoughts.

They were myriad, my thoughts.

I had determined that I would write something about Joseph Lee Dutko’s “The Pentecostal Gender Paradox”, because I think it’s important. But when it came time, I couldn’t figure out what to say, in part because I couldn’t figure out who the intended readers should be. Academics? Fellow pastors? Those who disagree?

I texted a friend about it, and he asked me how I felt, now that I was done reading it.

I responded, “Hopeful”.

That response unlocked the words I wanted to say.

Next month, I will have been a pastor for 30 years. It took me several of those years to fully settle for myself that God had called me, a woman, to pastor; to believe that pastoring was not just a “Plan B,” kindly accommodated by God’s grace. During those years, I learned the various arguments and views, the questions of Greek translation and contextual uncertainties. I understood that intelligent people who love Jesus would come to a different conclusion than me; and I was ok with that. Nevertheless, I was confident and at peace that, ultimately, I was not wrong.

I have a rock on my desk that says, “not wrong”.

But all these years later, it’s a different world out there, and what used to be considered a secondary or even tertiary issue has become a primary one for some. The disagreements are often no longer gracious or nuanced, but reflect the polarization of so many other disagreements in our current climate. And it’s fine for me - 30 years in, I can handle myself - but my concern grows for those women who are young and/or new, and sometimes facing hostility I never had to face. My concern grows for my denomination, which needs pastors and leaders, female and male.

We need them.

So when I received the invitation to the book launch, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Was there something new to add to the conversation? There was indeed. From a Canadian Pentecostal pastor with a Ph.D., no less!

Simply put, Dutko reminds readers that Pentecostals are “last-days” people, always have been. Although we quote Joel 2 and Acts 2 every chance we get, it is not with a “back to the early church” mindset. It is with a “Jesus is coming back” mindset. We are future-oriented. We live for and point towards the day when Jesus returns, when all things are made right, when the “not-yet” becomes the “now”. We live prophetically as citizens of God’s kingdom, not in an attempt to “speed the day,” but in a determination to live now with the end in mind.

To live, as much as we possibly can, in a way that anticipates and celebrates how it all will be.

Dutko applies this eschatological framework of hope to gender equality. He does so unapologetically, unequivocally, with nothing held back. Like any good academic, he reviews history and existing literature; like any good academic, he builds his argument thoroughly, one piece at a time. However, unlike many academic works, his goes beyond theological conclusions, and drops a whole trailer-load of mics with practical applications for local churches as well as denominational structures. And then throws in a few massive global implications, just for fun.

And thus, I feel hopeful.

Jesus’ return, after all, is our hope, n’est-ce pas? Greek translations and contextual uncertainties aside, we aren’t aiming to be that first church in Corinth. (who are we kidding, they were a hot mess)

No. We’re living with the end in mind.

So.

If you’re an academic - Please consider adding or recommending The Pentecostal Gender Paradox to whatever library and curriculum is appropriate. It’s important.

If you’re a fellow Pentecostal pastor - Please consider watching the book launch video. You’ll get the overall idea, and then you can decide if the book is something you want to spend the money on. (I did. Immediately. When it was more expensive - even as an ebook - than it is now, I’m just saying.)

If you disagree - I mean, I doubt I’ll change your mind, and you definitely won’t change mine. Let’s co-exist with gracious kindness, shall we?

Even so, come Lord Jesus.