Freedom and Boundaries: A Pastoral Primer on the Role of Women in the Church

by Kevin DeYoung

Looking for a book on gender roles that church members can read and understand? Freedom and Boundaries offers a compassionate and compelling case for adopting complementarian convictions. Great for pastors, seminarians, and church leaders.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Church, Christianity, Biblical Studies

172 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2006

About the author

Kevin DeYoung is the Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church (RCA) in East Lansing, Michigan, right across the street from Michigan State University.

Reviews

[Tom Bazan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Freedom and Boundaries because it was by Kevin DeYoung, and I figured I'd like whatever he wrote. Then I read the subtitle: "A Pastoral Primer on the Role of Women in the Church." I will admit that my eagerness to read the book dropped after reading what the book was going to be about, but I made it through it.

As I understand it, the goal of Freedom and Boundaries is to be an introduction to the topic of women in the church, providing a framework for thinking about and applying what the Bible says on ministry roles to our churches. In doing that, I think DeYoung is successful.

First, he does a good job of setting the table before serving his analysis. That preparation is vital, in my opinion, for discussions of not only this topic, but many contentious topics that Christians disagree on (which could be basically everything). In doing so, he asks 6 questions: (1) What do we already know (a lot); (2) Is this a "salvation issue" (no); (3)Should we care about "non-salvation issues" (yes, and we already do); (4) Why should we care about this "non-salvation issue" (several reasons, but basically it shouldn't be ignored); (5) This issue is so controversial. Isn't it just going to cause division in the church (not necessarily, disagreeing doesn't mean causing division); and (6) Can't we just agree to disagree (yes and no).

Interestingly, his answer to question 6 is yes and no: "As individuals, we can come to different conclusions and still have genuine fellowship with one another in Christian love and mutual respect. . . . But we can't agree to disagree if agreeing to disagree means we refrain, individually or corporately, from coming to a conclusion on the matter." (27) While that may not be true for some issues, he makes a good point on this one.

Second, he provides a bit of background on how he interprets scripture--the authority and interpretation of the Bible, sola scriptura. His seven principles for the process of interpreting scripture (33-38) and seven questions that can help us get at the meaning and continuing significance of a passage (38-41) can be helpful beyond the study of gender roles in ministry.

Third, he takes the reader through several Bible passages on the topic: Genesis 1-3; 1 Cor. 11:2-16, 14:26-40; 1 Tim. 2:8-15, and 3:1-13. As he says early on, he is a "convinced complementarian," meaning that he believes that men and women are equal in value but have different and complementary roles in the home and in the church. Conversely, egalitarians believe that full equality requires the removal of any gender-based role distinctions. (xiii-xiv) His case is not unconvincing, considering that it starts with pre-fall Genesis and continues through the early church. The unwavering stance of scripture points to something deeper than a cultural prescription.

After providing a basis for complementarian thought, he then considers 8 objections, many of which are cases for egalitarian thought in and of themselves. He applies many of the same analysis tools used in the previous chapters for refuting the objections, largely because the objections are scripture-based. As one would expect, much of the difference comes down to how passages should be interpreted and applied. As one would hope, his case is internally consistent and doesn't seem stretched; he seems to apply both the spirit and the letter.

Finally, he talks briefly about what this looks like in practice:

I encourage women to serve the Lord in any and all avenues of ministry except those which involve teaching and authority over men. (122, emphasis in original)

And that quote could be a summary of the book. In the past several months I've read defenses of complementarian and egalitarian thoughts as parts of other books, but none rose to this level. I'd be interested to read a comparable defense from an egalitarian. This topic pulls in so many directions that I can barely imagine even Christians who agreeably disagree on it. But I love that although God has made us different He has called us to the same place: to Himself. If we won't take our eyes off of Him, we won't have to worry about being divisive. And I think that is part of the reason that Freedom and Boundaries can consider a difficult topic without being disagreeable and divisive. Not everyone will agree with DeYoung--and Freedom and Boundaries might not even change your mind--but I think his heart for pursuing God's, regardless of where that takes him, is evident.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time reading this book. Thoughtful, convicting, scripture saturated.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic easy read on the topic of gender roles within the church. Kevin DeYoung makes a flawless case for complementarianism, one that I, as a married woman, can fully support.
He begins by describing what sort of issue he's about to dive into (a non-salvation issue, but nonetheless, important) and his views on the authority of Scripture & how it should be interpreted. DeYoung advocates a literal (or "plain sense") interpretation of the Bible and then lists seven questions we can ask to understand the significance of a specific text. Very useful, and not just for understanding gender roles, but every other issue the Bible addresses.
He then describes and explains most of the key texts on the roles of women in the Church, using a chapter for each. The book concludes with a list of common objections made from the egalitarian argument, but DeYoung is able to faithfully debunk all of them using Scripture.
It is important to note that DeYoung says nothing negative against egalitarians. He simply makes an argument for complementarianism and acknowledges that those who differ in their stance are certainly still brothers and sisters in Christ.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastoral Primer on Women in the Church

Kevin DeYoung’s Freedom and Boundaries: A Pastoral Primer on the Role of Women in the Church tackles the issue of gender with pastoral concern in a manner that is readable, enjoyable, and digestible.

DeYoung embodies what Martyn Lloyd-Jones called “logic on fire” and “eloquent reason.” [See https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theg...]

If you are a complementarian when it comes to men and women in ministry, then here is a pastoral primer for your own edification and the equipping of men and women in your church.

Nevertheless, there are some areas that need better theological precision regarding the Trinity, which DeYoung has corrected in his recent revision of the book with over 50% new material (Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction, 2021 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433566532/...). I wish DeYoung would have mentioned these corrections/edits in the new revision in endnote 3 where he discusses the differences between the two books (153).

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

DeYoung sets things out simply and clearly in this work. He works through major passages carefully yet quickly, answers common objections masterfully, and paints a picture of a well-ordered church pastorally and winsomely (this last chapter, "Life Together in the Church," could easily have been merely a summary of what came before, but DeYoung makes it the high point of the book with a description of a Biblically functioning church).

It's sad that churches in denominations that have settled these issues in the past are still kicking the hornet's nest. Thankfully DeYoung's first published book stands ready as a helpful aid to those in the midst of such debates.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin DeYoung is an excellent communicator. In this book he is very pastoral and yet direct and unashamed to say what he believes based on what the Bible says about the role of women in the church. His arguments are well-supported and clearly very well researched and thought out. DeYoung also portrays a sincere sense of humility. I highly recommend this book.

[Phil Whittall · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do complementarians think and why do they think it? Why do some churches, men, women, denominations and networks in this day and age still think that some roles are reserved only for men. For some people that is just simply an unfathomable mystery or the answer is found in misogyny, sexism, power games and oppression.

Kevin DeYoung does his best in 170 pages to explain the views of complementarians and deal with all the relevant key texts, gives examples of what that actually means in a local church and deals with some of the more common objections and rebuttals.

As in most books (on either side of the debate) there is little that is new here, after all everyone knows the key texts, the arguments are well rehearsed on both sides, and very little new evidence has been brought to the table in quite some time. However, even though the texts haven’t changed the culture has and increasingly one view is seen as outdated so for that constituency there remains a need to keep presenting the position.

DeYoung writes well, writes clearly, logically and marshalls all the relevant information in a clear and concise manner. He’s also (I think) mostly a calm voice, trying not to antagonise, trying not to caricature (I think) and with an awareness that his position and many men who hold it have both abused it and caused great pain. It is an attempt to handle the issue pastorally as well as theologically.

As such, whether you agree with all that DeYoung says (and many will not) it is perhaps the clearest and most accessible presentation of the broad complementarian position (there are differences, it’s not a monolithic block). I’m not sure I would define ‘teaching’ the way DeYoung does being more in agreement with John Dickson on that one.

However, if straw man arguments are to be avoided and you want to read just one side (as opposed to two) then this is probably the first book I’d recommend.

[Jolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was easily readable (doctoral or theological degree not required) and a good overview of a controversial subject (the roles that women are allowed to fill within the church). I also appreciated that Mr. DeYoung explained both sides of the issue and that he gave suggestions for how to deal with other similar controversial issues within Christianity.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

DeYoung is a pastor in the RCA, an officially egalitarian denomination (though they allow diversity of views at the congregational level). But DeYoung is a complementarian. So I was excited to hear how the complementarian viewpoint "sounded" from one who had to live his convictions in an egalitarian denominational context.

One of the best things about DeYoung, in my opinion, is he is irenic without sounding vacuous. He carefully locates this controversial subject as "non-salvation issue", but he also passionately argues for its importance and the necessity of engaging this topic as a pastor committed to Scripture and ministering in a contemporary climate where these matters are, frankly, unavoidable.

DeYoung seems fairly familiar with arguments from both (all) sides of the subject, and he treats his opponents with respect and generosity. But he also passionately argues for the complementarian position and attempts to carefully and persuasively deal with the best objections.

While I find myself in agreement with most of what DeYoung says, there are several places in his exegesis of particular passages where I noted questions or hesitations in the margins of my book. I need to revisit some of these in the future.

The biggest weakness of the book is that it did not adquately engage some of the more sophisticated (and complicated!) hermeneutical strategies of people like William Webb or John Stackhouse. But this is likely due more to the kind of book DeYoung was trying to write (a popular pastoral primer) and says more about the kind of book I WISH he had written (a more detailed and scholarly analysis of relevant texts and hermeneutical outlooks).

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding.

This book was written for congregations and their leaders who are asking whether women should be in leadership positions of the church.

With his characteristic grace and clarity, DeYoung backs up his "no" answer with biblical support. Looking to Genesis, Jesus, 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy he makes a solid case. The part on slavery in the Bible is probably controversial, but I thought very well done.

Main strength: DeYoung knows the opposing argument well, answering most objections I've heard from those who support women in church leadership roles.

Weakness: I'm not sure the head covering section was needed, though it is okay. I disagreed with his take on deacons in 1 Timothy 3:11.

It still gets 5 stars, mainly because several churches where I grew up are asking this very question right now. Why SHOULDN'T women preach and be elders in the church? This book lays out the Biblical answer.

Unfortunately, it is out of print! I got my copy by writing University Reformed Church in Lansing, MI, and explaining why I wanted it. They had some copies and sent me one. Ask, and you shall receive!

[David Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise and helpful defense of complementarianism, the longest word in the world. (If you don't know what that is, why do you care about this book?)

Especially liked chapter two, which offered some objective guidelines to aid in determining if a Biblical text was meant to apply to all people at all times, or not. Also thought Appendix 2 was a needed warning, "The Slippery Slope from Egalitarianism to Homosexuality."

[Chuck Bonadies · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book that promotes the complementarian view. The book is very easy to read, well organized, and makes good applications. This would be a good book to promote among the membership of the church.

CB

[Marshall Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief but thorough summary of the role of women in the church. Solid exposition of the relevant Scripture passages and several other topics addressed in passing. Good, quick read!