“Dr. AbuJamra shares my complementarian conviction.” Not if She Has Anything to Preach About it.

Whether one calls it, “teaching, preaching or lecturing,” where the Bible is concerned it does not fit for a woman to teach or usurp authority over men. (1 Timothy 2:12).



Lina AbuJamra: NIU

On April 22, 2014 Dr. Lina AbuJamra preached a Bible sermon to the student body at NIU. See, A Woman Preaches in Northland's Chapel.

Reaction to having a woman preaching in the NIU pulpit was swift. In response, from his blog, NIU president Daniel Patz wrote,

“I am strongly complementarian in conviction, and I do not believe women should preach in Northland chapel…. Dr. AbuJamra shares my complementarian conviction as well.” (College Chapel and “Women Preachers” April 23, 2014)

Daniel Patz assured his readers that he personally, NIU and Lina AbuJamra are complementarian.1 That is to say they believe that although women can make contributions in a ministry setting, they are forbidden from teaching and usurping authority over the men. Within the Patz article Lina was never said to be sorry for the NIU chapel speaking. Mr. Patz, writing for her, assured readers that she is complementarian.

Under the title, Dan Patz Responds to a Woman Preaching in NIU Chapel I posted a review of the Patz article. For this writer the complimentarian issue was over with.

“Mr. Patz comes close to, but ultimately sidesteps admitting that this was ‘preaching.’ Mr. Patz at least knew her reputation as that of a preacher, and went forward with having her. He had to ask her not to preach. He knew and now he’s trying to do damage control.”

Lina AbuJamra: Taylor University, 05/02/2014

Over with, that is, until just 9 days later (May 2, 2014) when Dr. AbuJamra was preaching at Taylor University to a mixed audience. See video below.2

If Lina is complementarian, and in alignment with Daniel Patz’s official position, then how can she go to Taylor University and preach again to a mixed group? Is she committed to the biblical principle- complementarian?

From her website we can find an answer. At Lina’s website there is a Q&A section. One question is: Do you only speak to women…?

“No. I am open and willing to speak to any audience or event. I have had the privilege of speaking at colleges, women’s retreats and variety of conferences.”

Lina AbuJamra does not limit her teaching to women only. This is not the answer one would expect from a committed complementarian. There is, furthermore, a problem for Daniel Patz, his credibility in particular. He wrote,

“I am strongly complementarian in conviction, and I do not believe women should preach in Northland chapel…. Dr. AbuJamra shares my complementarian conviction as well.”

President Patz vouched for Lina, but at Taylor University she has done what is contrary to the NIU president’s official position on women usurping authority over men.

1. Lina AbuJamra was preaching at NIU, and again at Taylor University. Between the two engagements she attended Willow Creek CC and praised the church.3 Lina is a NIU board member. We now ask: Are claims that Lina AbuJamra is complementarian believable?
2. Can NIU president Daniel Patz maintain that NIU board member Lina AbuJamra is not teaching, usurping authority over the men (1 Tim. 2:12)?

Yours faithfully,

LM

Site Publisher's Addendum:
During her sermon at NIU Lina used a very inappropriate phrase. She does it again at Taylor. This time, however, different subject, and much more graphic. I will not cite here what she said. You will hear her remarks at 2:10 of the You Tube video below. It is disgraceful and pathetic. You will be disgusted with and for this woman who seems to know nothing of a “meek and quiet spirit.”

Footnotes:
1) Complementarianism is a theological view…that men and women have different but complementary roles and responsibilities in marriage, family life, religious leadership and elsewhere. (Source: Wikipedia)

2) NIU Board member, Lina AbuJamra preaching at Taylor University.

3) Lina AbuJamra (April 30) on her Twitter account, “Also had an Awe-some time worshipping King Jesus at Willow Creek tonight. My heart is soaring with praise. So grateful for the Church.”