All the Buried Women: Episode 3 - "Loopholes"

Hosted by Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke

Introduction

In Episode 3 of All the Buried Women, titled "Loopholes," hosts Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke delve deeper into the intricate barriers faced by women within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). This episode explores the subtle yet effective methods the SBC employed to restrict women's roles in ministry while simultaneously providing alternative pathways—termed "loopholes"—for women to serve and lead within the denomination.

Historical Context: The Conservative Resurgence

The episode begins with a recap of pivotal moments in SBC history. In 1964, Addie Davis became the first woman ordained in the SBC, signaling a potential openness to women's ordination. However, just three years later, in 1967, pivotal figures like Judge Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson began shaping a more conservative direction for the SBC. Their alliance, formed over shared concerns about the denomination's liberal drift, laid the groundwork for what would become the conservative resurgence.

Beth Allison Barr highlights the dark undercurrents of this period:

Beth Allison Barr [00:00]: "In 1964, Addie Davis became the first woman to be ordained in the SBC... planting seeds for what would ultimately become the conservative resurgence."

This resurgence was not only about theological shifts but also involved the troubling cover-ups of sexual abuse within the SBC. Savannah Locke sheds light on the allegations against Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson, emphasizing their grip over the denomination's direction under the guise of morality and biblical orthodoxy, which specifically targeted women in ministry.

The Concept of Loopholes

As the SBC became increasingly restrictive towards women, women like Kathy Hoppe persisted in seeking ordination despite numerous obstacles. By the late 1980s, around 500 Southern Baptist women were ordained, with 18 serving as pastors. An organization named Baptist Women in Ministry emerged to support these women, meeting annually alongside the SBC's convention.

Yet, the conservative resurgence continued to limit women's roles within the church. Savannah Locke introduces the concept of "loopholes"—mechanisms that allowed women to serve in ministry roles that were generally acceptable and often celebrated by the SBC, albeit under different titles and settings.

Savannah Locke [02:37]: "Every system has loopholes, even the Southern Baptist Convention. In this episode, we are going to talk about the most visible of these loopholes..."

Case Study: Rosalie Beck

One of the most prominent examples of utilizing loopholes is Rosalie Beck's story. As the first female professor of religion at Baylor University, Rosalie navigated the SBC's restrictions by focusing her ministry within academic settings rather than church buildings.

Rosalie recounts her experiences at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary during the height of the conservative resurgence:

Rosalie Beck [07:10]: "There were very few who were interested in making something like a conversation or discussion group. We were very isolated... he used words like couplings and universal joints. And of course, I didn't have a clue what he was talking about."

Despite facing blatant sexism from professors like Dr. Cal Guy, Rosalie excelled academically and professionally. Her refusal to seek ordination allowed her to serve as a respected professor, effectively sidestepping the SBC's ordination barriers for women.

Beth Allison Barr [05:25]: "Rosalie said, 'I could be acceptable as a church historian.' That's what these loopholes provided and still provide for women in the SBC."

Rosalie's tenure at Baylor spanned 35 years, during which she educated thousands of students, influencing both men and women in their understanding of religion, theology, and history.

Case Study: Bertha Smith

Another significant loophole was exploited by missionaries like Bertha Smith. Olive Bertha Smith, known affectionately as Miss Bertha, served as the SBC's first missionary to Taiwan. While the SBC did not formally recognize her as a preacher or pastor, Bertha effectively served in these roles during her missionary work.

Savannah Locke shares her extensive research on Bertha, uncovering numerous instances where Bertha preached in Southern Baptist churches across the nation:

Savannah Locke [22:57]: "Bertha Smith taught men in Southern Baptist churches. If you look at the ways she is described by the SBC's website or literature, you would absolutely see her celebrated, just not as a teacher or pastor, but as a missionary."

Bertha's sermons, captured in audio recordings, demonstrate her role as a preacher:

Bertha Smith [22:10]: "He destroyed the Lord's type... Your gifts and their ministry is valid."

Her ability to preach and lead was accepted because her role was framed within the context of missionary work, allowing her to bypass the SBC's restrictions on women preaching within church buildings in America.

The Role of the Pastor's Wife

One of the most nuanced loopholes discussed is the role of the pastor's wife. Beth Allison Barr introduces her forthcoming book, Becoming the Pastor's Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman's Path to Ministry, which explores how marriage became a sanctioned avenue for women to engage in ministry roles without formal ordination.

Dorothy K. Patterson, wife of Paige Patterson, serves as a central figure in this discussion. In a notable debate at the 1988 Southern Baptist Historical Society meeting, Dorothy, while outwardly adhering to the submissive pastor's wife persona, actively opposed women's ordination.

Rosalie Beck recounts the event:

Rosalie Beck [32:45]: "Dorothy Patterson postured herself as submissive to male leadership, fighting against female ordination even as she publicly exercised authority over a room full of 300 mostly male pastors and professors."

This duality allowed women to wield influence and authority subtly, maintaining the facade of subservience while effectively participating in leadership and teaching roles.

Women Leaving the SBC: A Fourth Loophole

Pamela Durso introduces an additional loophole: women leaving the SBC to join more progressive denominations like the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Methodist, or Presbyterian churches. This exit strategy was not merely a workaround but an escape from a denomination that stifled their leadership aspirations.

Pamela Durso [41:23]: "Their loophole wasn't a workaround. It was an exit door, an escape from a denomination that restricted their roles and into ones that fully embraced their callings and leadership."

This exodus resulted in the SBC losing some of its most talented and dedicated women, who sought environments where their gifts and leadership could be fully realized.

Conclusion: The Dual Nature of Loopholes

All the Buried Women Episode 3 illuminates the complex interplay between restriction and resilience within the SBC. The loopholes—professorships, missionary roles, the pastor's wife position, and denominational exits—highlight both the ingenuity of Southern Baptist women in navigating oppressive structures and the deep-seated contradictions within the denomination's approach to gender roles.

Beth Allison Barr eloquently summarizes:

Beth Allison Barr [39:36]: "They worked within the cracks and loopholes of a rigid system, crafting spaces where their voices could be heard and their gifts could flourish... But these loopholes also highlight the contradictions and inequities of the Southern Baptist Convention."

The episode underscores the necessity of recognizing these hidden pathways not only to appreciate the tenacity of these women but also to understand the systemic barriers that continue to impede gender equality within the SBC.

Looking Ahead

As Episode 3 concludes, Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke tease the forthcoming focus on the SBC's sexual abuse problems, promising to shed light on the persistent struggles and ongoing efforts to seek justice within the denomination.

Notable Quotes

• Rosalie Beck [05:58]: "I told my pastor, listen, it would be easier to be a prostitute in this church than it is to be an ordained woman."

• Beth Allison Barr [16:10]: "Ordination became a scarlet letter for women."

• Savannah Locke [37:09]: "Dorothy Patterson drew authority from her role as pastor's wife. She could and did give her permission to speak when she spoke, including during her debate with Jan Aldridge Clanton."

Final Thoughts

Episode 3 of All the Buried Women offers a compelling examination of how language, titles, and settings were manipulated to maintain male dominance while allowing women limited avenues for leadership. Through the stories of Rosalie Beck, Bertha Smith, and the exploration of the pastor's wife role, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the persistent gender dynamics within the SBC and the undying spirit of women who sought to lead despite systemic barriers.