Regrettable Rewind

Yet another sign that the ultra-conservative powers within the Southern Baptist Convention continue extend their influence in truly backwards ways.

The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, from which two of my friends graduated*, has introduced a new women-only program in, wait for it...homemaking. From the article in the Washington Post today:

Coursework will include seven hours of nutrition and meal preparation, seven hours of textile design and "clothing construction," three hours of general homemaking, three hours on "the value of a child," and three hours on the "biblical model for the home and family."

The article does a good job in identifying Paige Patterson as the leading force behind this new program and the general movement within the SBC to limit women's roles in the church and home. He was president of the SBC when the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message was adopted, which explicitly prohibits female pastors (not just senior pastors). The article also quotes baptist critics of the program and movement. Unfortunately, the many thoughtful critics of the ultra-conservative forces in the SBC continue to be ignored by those in control.

As evangelicals strive to be culturally relevant, moves like this are certainly very damaging to that goal. Many non-ultra-conservative Christians still support the Complementarian view of women's roles in the church, and healthy debate continues over this issue. But programs like the homemaking one at Southwestern can only damage the place of women within the Christian community and affirm our cultural reputation for being firmly planted in the 1950's. What does this say to girls who want to become doctors, scientists, engineers, teachers, or even astronauts?

That's nice dear, don't forget about the cookies in the oven. How sad.

*To be fair, Southwestern wasn't nearly as anti-women when my two friends attended (which was before Patterson took over).