Women in Combat Statement (Reformed Episcopal Church)
The Women in Combat Statement is a 2017 resolution issued by the Reformed Episcopal Council of Bishops addressing theological, moral, and social concerns related to the assignment of women to combat roles in the United States Armed Forces. Adopted on 14 December 2017, the statement reflects the REC’s commitment to classical Anglican anthropology, the complementarity of the sexes, and the historic Christian understanding of the family and social order.
The resolution was written in response to recent U.S. policy changes opening all military combat specialties to women and the potential inclusion of women in the military draft.
Background
In 2015, the United States Department of Defense lifted restrictions that had previously barred women from direct ground combat roles. Subsequent legislative discussions considered extending Selective Service requirements to women.
The Reformed Episcopal Church, grounded in historic Anglican teaching, responded with a formal theological and moral critique rooted in Scripture and the doctrine of divinely created sexual complementarity. The REC has historically affirmed the equal dignity of men and women as image-bearers of God while upholding distinct, complementary roles in family, church, and society.
Summary
The statement affirms:
- The equal dignity of men and women as created in the image of God.
- The complementary distinctions between male and female as part of God’s design.
- The husband’s vocation as leader, provider, and protector within the family.
- The wife’s vocation as nurturer, supporter, and life-giver.
- The unique gift of motherhood.
The statement opposes:
- Policies that erase sexual distinction in the name of interchangeability.
- Assigning women to combat roles.
- Any legislative effort to draft women into military service.
The bishops express gratitude for women serving in non-combat military roles and call for prayer for all members of the armed forces.
Full Text of the 2017 Resolution
Resolution on Women in Combat Reformed Episcopal Council of Bishops
WHEREAS, the President and Congress have moved the United States military services to abandon their historic policy of limiting combat military service to males and are now recruiting, training and assigning women to combat roles; and
WHEREAS, God created man in His own image, as male and female with specific and complementary characteristics (Genesis 1:27), so that male and female in relation constitute a complete expression of the divine order of humanity; and
WHEREAS, the equality of male and female, as to dignity and worth arising from their creation in the image of God, is fully consistent with distinction of function between male and female; and
WHEREAS, the Church has understood the Scriptures to teach that the basic unit of society is the family, wherein the husband as head has the primary responsibility of leader, provider and sacrificial protector, and the wife has the primary responsibility of supporter, nurturer and life-giver (1 Corinthians 11:2-16; Ephesians 5:22-32); and
WHEREAS, it is the special gift of God to women that they bear children for the preservation of the human race and the glory of God, and the policy of placing women in combat is destructive to the exercise of that gift; and
WHEREAS, there is currently a bill before the United States Congress that would include women in the military draft, to which women in the Reformed Episcopal Church have conscientious objection; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Bishops of the Reformed Episcopal Church do with loyal respect and deep concern, warn against and oppose any laws and policies, which would substitute sexual interchangeability for the aforementioned complementary but distinct responsibilities of male and female; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we give deepest gratitude and honor to those courageous women who have served their country in military support roles, especially those who have served in harm’s way; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we commit our prayer support to all military members and families serving this great nation around the world; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we call upon the President, Congress and all military leaders to reverse the present policy and to restore the historic limitation of military combat service to males only.
Presented by the Reformed Episcopal Council of Bishops Received and adopted by the General Committee December 14, 2017
Citation
- Resolution on Women in Combat, Reformed Episcopal Council of Bishops (2017). {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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