by Lena Toews
Dr. Lena Toews, president of the Adventist Society for Religious Studies and professor of religion at Union Adventist University, presented a paper during the Women in History Conference organized by the North American Division last year. Following is a summary of her presentation, which explored the developing understanding of select issues and doctrines of long-time Union College (at that time) religion professor Dr. Beatrice Neall.
Beatrice (Short) Neall was an Adventist missionary, educator, editor and author. In 1980, while teaching at Union alongside her husband Dr. Ralph Neal, Beatrice Neall was invited to serve on the Sanctuary Review Committee, which consisted of 114 members, and met at Glacier View Ranch, Colorado, in response to the Desmond Ford controversy over the sanctuary doctrine. Dr. Neall was the only woman on the committee. Neall took this assignment seriously and prepared well. She read over 2,000 pages on both sides of the argument. She was determined to study the sanctuary doctrine; she was dedicated to finding the truth. Beatrice did come to the conclusion, after 15 years of study, that Des Ford was not correct. She studied in depth and she stood her ground.
However, that was not the case with her studies of the materials on women’s ordination. Her views on women gradually changed in the process of her studying. In 1975 the Adventist Church voted to not ordain women to gospel ministry. At Union College, women who wanted to study theology were told by faculty to take a second major because chances they would get a job as a pastor were bleak. Beatrice realized young women were being lost to jobs outside the church, and were not teaching Bible at our academies. She believed that for practical reasons it is good to ordain women. “They are doing the job; we should pay them,” she said.
During the 1980s Union College struggled financially and was on the verge of closing. In addition to Beatrice, there were three men teaching religion, but due to finances it was Beatrice’s pay that was reduced to that of an adjunct/part-time faculty even though her teaching load was not reduced. Despite the difficult circumstances this placed her in, she offered to teach some classes for free. She believed in the mission of Union College and she loved her students. Beatrice dedicated her talents and time to teaching students with minimal pay.
Open to new light
There is one pivotal article that Beatrice wrote that is crucial to mention when discussing her position on women in ministry. She was asked to write an article on the subject of women’s ordination. She started with one viewpoint, and in the course of her research, completely changed that view.
In the course of her studying, Beatrice looked at many difficult Old Testament and New Testament texts, including the passages in Titus 2, 1 Timothy 2 and 4, 1 Corinthians, Acts and many others. She analyzed the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy references on the role and status of women. She mostly relied on her knowledge of biblical languages. In her analysis of Scripture and hermeneutics, she used a variety of scholarly sources, Adventist and non-Adventist alike. In this article, she did a careful exegesis of both Old Testament and New Testament texts related to the role of women, determining the original intent of the writer and what he had intended to say to the original readers.
Beatrice knew there was no term such as “ordination” in the gospels. But the prophetic gift of Ellen White was the fulfillment of Acts 2:17: “Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” Beatrice called it “a clear example of the New Testament empowering of women for the proclamation of the gospel.”
Peter believed on scriptural grounds that Jews should not associate with Gentiles. The Holy Spirit demolished his theology by acting contrary to his expectations. God was moving. And Peter had to move with Him.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes that God called a woman to be His messenger in these last days. God’s actions should be a check on our interpretation of Scripture.
Was Ellen White ordained? Beatrice asked, “How could human hands ordain her when God Himself had signally empowered her with the greatest of gifts?” White taught, helped with defining the church’s doctrines, exercised authority over men, and did the work of the prophet and the apostle.
How is God moving today?
Does He use women to teach, to lead, to exercise authority? Beatrice shared her discovery from Genesis 1:26, “he created him, male and female, He created them.” Therefore, together male and female would reflect His likeness. The persons of the Godhead work together, and so should men and women.
History and tradition have separated the roles of men and women. But human creativity and potential, derived from the image of God, are limitless and unpredictable. Gifts should not be suppressed, but valued and encouraged. God Himself is complex; so is humanity, since we are made in His image. Neither sex should seek to dominate the other. Power is not in short supply and must not be fought over.
In summary, when God works no human being can stop His work. Beatrice was an example of this work. She was not afraid to question and challenge her own or the church’s beliefs. She studied and she grew. She had an open mind and heart to the Spirit and its work in her understanding of Scripture. She took risks and was willing to take shots from all sides by embracing both traditional and feminist views in her articles on male-female roles.
Beatrice’s dedication as a woman professor and scholar still stands as an example of deep conviction, courage and lifelong learning. What makes Beatrice unique is that she was committed to lifetime learning and was willing to put her beliefs and Bible knowledge to the test. She was not satisfied with the status quo. And through that learning, she grew and changed and helped her students to grow in their understanding of Scripture, doctrines and personal beliefs.
To learn more about Adventist Women Leaders and find additional resources and community, visit adventistwomenleaders.com.
