Duke and the Gals

I will be giving this talk for Christian for Biblical Equality on September 24 at the Executive Board Room of Denver Seminary. Lunch starts at 11:30.

Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., DougGroothuis@gmail.com

Duke Ellington, The Ministry of Women,

and the Mission of God

It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing—Duke Ellington.

I.                  The Story of SS

A.    Gifted young servant of God, teacher, pure heart

B.    But is a woman stepping into teaching roles at a seminary and the church, as well as at secular schools.

C.    Not received as she should be because she is a woman

II.              The Mission of God

A.    To make himself known to the world:

1.      John 1:1-5, 14, 18

2.      Matthew 28:18-20

B.    In order to be rightly worshiped as the one true God (Philippians 2:5-11)

C.    In order to restore shalom and expand his Kingdom in every area of life through the preaching and living of the Gospel (John 3:16-18; Romans 5:1-8)

III.          Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899-1974)

A.    Duke’s philosophy of race and music

1.      Deserve respect by your playing of jazz and living

a.      Spend “time in the woodshed”

b.     Master your “chops”—alone and with others

c.      Improvisation (see Ted Gioia, The Imperfect Art)

d.     Have big ears (listen)

e.      See Harvey Cohen, Duke Ellington’s America (Oxford, 2011)

2.      He was articulate in music and in speaking

Example: “Afro-Eurasian Eclipse” (audio clip)

3.      Was patient in advancing jazz music and his race, but insistent

4.      He supported his other musicians and was a showman, but not a prima donna

a.      Always introduced his band affectionately and with respect

b.     Paul Gonsalves tenor saxophone solo at Newport Jazz Festival in 1958

IV.           Women in Ministry for the Mission of God

A.    The mission of God is primary (play jazz well), not women’s equality (demand recognition; or use of affirmative action)

1.      Time in the woodshed (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14)

2.      Master your chops (Malachi 2:7; Titus 2:7-8)

a.      Research, writing

b.     Speaking (1 Peter 4:11)

B.    Earn the right to be heard through excellence in research, writing, teaching, preaching, and living. See Andreas Kostenberger, Excellence (Crossway, 2011).  Kostenberger is a traditionalist, though.

C.    Be patient, but insistent

D.   Be a team player and support others in the cause (1 Corinthians 13)

Further Readings on Jazz, Women in Ministry, and the Mission of God

1.      Robert Gelinas, Finding the Groove: Finding a Jazz-Shaped Faith (Zondervan, 2009). See my review of this book at Denver Journal (2010) at: http://www.denverseminary.edu/article/finding-the-groove-composing-a-jazz-shaped-faith/

2.      Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus (Wadsworth, 2003), chapter seven, “Jesus’ View of Women.”

3.      Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, Women Caught in the Conflict (1994; Wipf and Stock reprint).

4.      Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, Good News for Women (Baker Books, 1997).

5.      Rebecca Merrill Groothuis and Ronald Pierce, eds., Discovering Biblical Equality (InterVarsity Press, 2004).

6.      Kevin Whitehead, What is Jazz? (Oxford, 2011).

7.      Christopher Wright, The Mission of God (InterVarsity Press, 2006).

8.      Christopher Wright, The Mission of God’s People (InterVarsity Press, 2010).