I find these comments of Jan Paulsen quite significant:
However, he added, "in fairness to the global church, many of you say, 'There are changes also taking place in the church in our part of the globe. We are not where we were 10 years ago.' It's a process of education, a process of growth. Maybe a new generation is needed. I don't know."
What I understand him as saying is that there is nothing in the Bible nor in the writings of E G White which prevents the ordination of women. What is needed is education and a process of growth before it can take place globally.
Sure, that may be what he is saying. But that doesn't make him correct.
How does Jan Paulsen explain Paul's statements? Can he do so without invoking culture?
I have associated quite a bit with Jan in our youth. He is fully capable of explaining Paul's statements without a closed mind. His mind is not ingrained in a Roman mindset, even though he may have had some Roman Catholics around him when he was studying. I think that gave him a better idea of the difference between the two traditions. Something some people do not comprehend.
If you'd stop teaching Paul how he has come to his conclusions, if he had been you, you may start understanding what Paul is really saying. How do you know Paul had exactly the same thought that you have? Why don't you permit Paul to be Paul rather than mixing him up with cultural problems? Get to know him as he is, rather than you teaching him things from your own background.
You are a smart fellow, Bob, and you have accomplished great things for the Lord, also through your knowledge. Yet in this area you astonish me with the kind of answers you give. This is just not you.
You refusal to read David Newman tells me that you just don't dare in case it changes your Roman mindset. I have read everything I could get hold of at that time against the ordination of women. I wanted to be certain I was right. Have you read Viggo Norskov Olsen's treatise on Ordination? Have you really read all that Elle White says about the priesthood of all believers? How that is a basis of her view of ordination? Are you willing to read that again leaving your own preconceived ideas of what your tradition tells you she should be saying - behind?