Reformed and Ritual? Vocation: Male and Female as Doxological

In what ways does the final vision of the Church’s identity and activity at the end of Scripture in Revelation help us to understand the beginning of Scripture in Genesis in light of Leviticus? And within that world, how does it help us to understand the meaning of male and female as vocation? In the last several episodes of Greystone Conversations, we have explored the concept of ritual as far more than sacrifice, blood, and acceptance along atonement lines, but as a vision of reality. This biblical ritual vision, which is given expression in the Old Testament book of Leviticus--not only in its content but even in its very organization--is a view of reality which can be captured in terms of its concerns for three distinct but related elements: time, space, and vocation.

We have said that this ritual world is more than theologically interesting. It belongs to how the Creator and Providential Sustainer of all things has determined to form, to catechize, and to shape His people—the Church—in and through the Lord Jesus Christ as we are ordered by the life-rhythms of time and space. What is (by virtue of creation), and what remains (by virtue of divine providence) are more than merely things that are; they are indicators of who we are and who we have been called to be. This latter concern is a vocational concern, and is the focus of today’s Conversation, which explores vocation as a deeply gendered consideration. In what ways do our bodies tell the greatest story of all, and how does this help us avoid the cul-de-sac of gender controversies of our day?

To discuss this and more, Dr. Mark A. Garcia, President and Fellow in Scripture and Theology at Greystone Theological Institute, is joined with the Rev. Jesse Crutchley, pastor at Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church (PCA) and member of Greystone’s Presidential Ministerial Council.

For more on ritual ontology and theology, Dr. Garcia’s course on Theological Anthropology is available this Fall for credit, and his multiple lectures on this topic are available now for all Greystone Members. Become a member today for unlimited access to the growing Greystone Connect library.