Clanging Symbols

gendered ideology, women's ordination and worship

Abstract: “If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” So said Paul in the First Letter to the Corinthians. This is not a new issue for the people of God, reflecting similar issues that are raised in prophetic books such as Isaiah, and current debates within and between different Christian denominations. Right worship requires right relationships.

The Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand is currently facing a schism because of the recent synod decision to ordain women as well as men. This decision has been over forty years in the making with theological and biblical justifications and arguments being traded from both sides. It has caused splits in families, friends and church communities, who have found themselves on opposing sides of the issue.

This paper will consider the rhetoric and symbolism that has been used throughout this debate and the impact that it has had on various parties. The notion of love will be used to consider how liturgical forms and orthodoxies impact the worshipping faith community. It will also consider the ways symbols of church, Christianity and worship are perceived by those outside the church and what might be done in order to reduce the clanging.