I think one of your tags was misspelled

Question:

Hello,

I found your church's website via my Google search for "responsive reading of scripture in the early church." I found several articles, mostly answers to questions where the responses were based on scripture and the writings of early church fathers, as well as written observations from early-century historians.

I have been approached directly by a sister, who adheres by her personal conscience to the apostle Paul's guidance in I Timothy 2:11-12, "A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet." and in I Corinthians 14:34, "Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says."

I thanked this sister for coming to me directly when she told me that she does not feel comfortable participating in the responsive readings that I sometimes include in my leading of worship. The only responsive readings I have ever led are exclusively Scripture texts. She volunteered without my prompting that she understands that she is doing very much the same thing as she participates in singing. I presume that she sings the many songs written by women and that she even sings without men the song parts intended for female voices. The reason I was reading your teaching was in search of information on scriptural teaching, or perhaps more likely, extra-biblical history on responsive or congregational participation in scripture reading. I did find some such information, and I agree with most of your reasoning and arguments on this and other topics you have addressed, as posted on your church's website.

One thing that has prompted my writing is that, while perusing your website list of Topics, I came across "Aesthecism". The first thing I thought of was, "Since this website has seems to be carefully and professionally written, perhaps this is a clever sense of humor with a play on the word 'asceticism'." But, my further reading of your writing on the topic leads me to conclude that you have been actually referring to the ascetic lifestyle of self-denial as aesthetic, and to asceticism as aestheticism. (I was not even sure if there were a noun "aestheticism", but there is.) Perhaps you are well aware of the distinction between the two words and are now eager to correct the spelling errors, (as was a public speaker who serves and travels among community colleges, and kept using the word "tenants" in written communications, when it was obvious that he meant "tenets" until I privately and politely informed him of the distinction.)

Your website and teaching deserve the best presentation of professionalism and high regard, so it is in the spirit of brotherhood and shared love for God's love, truth, and respect that I share and send my regards. You are sharing the truth and doing an admirable job of answering truth-seekers' questions in pursuit of Truth from the Source.