N. T. Wright, Anglican Bishop of Durham, offers this:

No, it isn't hypocritical. There might well be perfectly coherent guidelines as to why a woman might lead in one area and not in another. It isn't hypocritical, after all, to think that the church is not just 'another human organization' or a society like any other; it's Christian common sense.

Bishop Wright is a supporter of woman as priests, but he recognizes the distinction between the church and the world.

The entire question was framed against the backdrop of the nomination of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican nominee for Vice President.  In opening salvos, Sally Quinn of The Washington Post directed her guns at the Southern Baptist Convention and to me by name.  Her articles, "Palin's Pregnancy Problem" and "Sarah's Palin's Priorities," set the stage.

In reality, Sally Quinn's articles and the question posed to "On Faith" illuminate an important aspect of our current cultural situation -- and serve as a warning to the church.  The clear and unavoidable implication of this question is that there must be no distinction between the church and the world. If equal employment opportunity is the rule in the secular world, must not the church follow the same rules?

This reasoning is perfectly understandable coming from the secular world.  How else would we expect the secular mind to think?  But coming from inside the church this logic is both fatal and unfaithful.

Sally Quinn's articles were also fascinating for the logic she employs against Sarah Palin.  I can understand this logic coming from a conservative Christian who is committed to biblical gender distinctions.  I'm having a very hard time understanding how a feminist can ask these questions.

My article at "On Faith" is found here.

In addition to being one of Salem’s nationally syndicated radio talk show hosts, R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and recognized as one of America’s leading theologians and cultural commentators. Contact Dr. Mohler at mail@albertmohler.com.