19. A Role for the Scriptures or Cultural Stereotypes?

An Argument Against Priestesses

"The Scriptures are not concise enough to render a verdict upon women's ordination."

A little bit of truth baked in a cake of deceit is a lot more appealing than the lies as the only ingredient. You see, an earlier doctrinal statement of the Church said just this. This does not mean that the Scriptures or their witness are irrelevant to the matter; they just are not very definitive upon it. I believe the Bible does reveal that Jesus was not locked into arbitrary stereotypes. Thus, his selection of men as Apostles and later as priests cannot be construed as culturally conditioned. His rationale for selecting men must have had a deeper root meaning.