​Living in a world of conflict can be tough. Because we live in a fallen world, a world riddled with sin, conflict within relationships is inevitable. Conflict cannot be avoided. The best we can hope for is to pray that the Holy Spirit, through his Word, will help us deal with and resolve conflict in a biblical and God-honoring manner.
 
But what do we do when we find ourselves in a situation where we have been sinned against, or at least we believe we have been wronged by someone else, and that someone else either refuses to acknowledge their sin or possibly does not even realize they’ve sinned against you? We’ve all been there. How often have we been the one who has offended someone else, and when confronted with our offense, we’re not really sure we agree? We’re not really sure we’ve done anything wrong. 

As we look around at the state of the western church, the modern family, and society, we continue seeing that these spheres are struggling, at best, and in rapid decline, at worst. This is true even within the Reformed Christian world. I continue to be shocked and surprised by the number of organizations and institutions which were once stalwarts of conservative Reformed orthodoxy, which are now gradually sliding towards egalitarianism. Though these organizations and institutions would adamantly deny this is the case, many of them now have record numbers of women professors teaching courses to potential pastors. Of course, the counter argument would be: “Yes, but these women are not teaching theology proper, but are teaching peripheral courses such as OT Hebrew, NT Greek, Church History, Counseling, Worship, etc.” But how does one teach Biblical Counseling without including theology? How does one explain the historical development of the doctrine of Justification without including and expounding upon the finer points of theology which were debated within the Church? They may not be teaching “theology proper” but it’s only a matter of time.
 
I have also been surprised by the number of conservative and Reformed publications which now produce issues with a great many of the theological articles being written by women. “Yes,” but they’ll say, “they do not hold the position of pastor and they are not teaching theology within the church setting.” But it’s only a matter of time. God’s Word does not say, ‘I do not permit a woman to teach [men directly within a church setting, but they can do so in any other setting] or to exercise authority over a man [within a church setting, but they may do so within any other setting]’ (1 Tim. 2:12). God’s Word does say, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man”—period. Whether that teaching is being done within a Sunday school class or a seminary classroom, a theology book, an article, or Bible commentary, makes no difference. To teach the authoritative Word of God with authority is to exercise authority over the one being taught.