All the Buried Women
Episode 3 - Loopholes
Mar 27, 2025
Rosalie Beck, the first female professor of religion at Baylor University, brings her bold insights to the discussion. She reflects on her journey through theological education, revealing the gender dynamics in a male-dominated field. The conversation dives into loopholes that allowed women to serve in ministry despite restrictions, highlighting roles like professors and pastor's wives. They explore the historical evolution of women's ordination within the Southern Baptist Convention and challenge traditional perceptions of women's authority in religious contexts.
44:52
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Quick takeaways
- The Southern Baptist Convention's formal prohibition against female ordination led women to creatively navigate leadership roles through specific loopholes, such as serving as professors or missionaries.
- Notable incidents, including allegations of abuse against prominent SBC leaders, underscore the complex dynamics affecting women's roles and safety within the convention's increasingly conservative framework.
Deep dives
Historical Milestones in Women's Ordination
Addie Davis's ordination in 1964 marked a significant moment for women in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), suggesting a potential openness to female clergy. However, this event set the stage for complex dynamics, especially after prominent figures like Paige Patterson and Paul Pressler formed alliances rooted in conservative ideologies. Allegations of abuse against Pressler in the late 1970s and accusations of Patterson covering up these abuses illustrate a troubling undercurrent within the convention's leadership. Ultimately, these incidents reflect a broader pattern of the SBC's attempts to reclaim authority over women's roles in ministry while neglecting the safeguarding of those vulnerable to abuse.
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