Bible Question:
Dear JonnyRay: Thank you for the list of books you provided. May I recommend a small (208 pages), but powerful, volume on the Holy Spirit? It is a classic. "The Spirit Himself", by Ralph M. Riggs, Springfield, Missouri: Gospel Publishing House, Copyright 1949, 1977. What I like about it is that it covers not only the DOCTRINE of the Holy Spirit, but also the PERSON of the Holy Spirit. Here is a brief sample of the book: "MISTAKE TO USE 'IT' WITH REFERENCE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT "The Holy Spirit must never be considered merely as a blessing, a feeling, or an influence. How far short of the full truth it is to refer to Him as 'It.'" (I do not say that any of you all are doing that. I am merely quoting the above as a sample of Riggs' writing.) --JVH0212 |
Bible Answer: I am an ordained woman, but I do not pastor a church. My husband is associate pastor of our church and he preaches, but I do not. I teach men and women in Sunday School and Bible Study, but I avoid leading men alone in the church at all. I also serve as secretary and treasurer (I sort of fell into that one) and associate pastor of women's ministries. I believe that women can serve in the church but should not lead men. I know that there is a fine line there, but I struggle with it too. I read First Cor. 14:35 that says that a woman should be silent in the church, and should ask their husbands at home, but I also see that Phoebe was a deacon (not a deaconess but a deacon--and the instructions for deacons in the church were very specific). Therefore, women were certainly allowed to have leadership positions in the early NT church (Paul was not criticizing Phoebe, he commended Phoebe). Basically, my answer to the question of women in the church is one of utter confusion... :) |