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NASB | 1 Timothy 2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 2:12 I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet [in the congregation]. |
Subject: Biblical - women preachers/teachers??? |
Bible Note: Hi Angel, Thanks for your reply, especially that you took the time to write it even though you were falling asleep... Well I must say I disagree with many of your points. For example: yes, God did command that people must not kill - He said it as a very general statement, not specifying whom He was referring to. Yet it was He Himself who commanded certain people to be killed (I can also give you Bible references, there are many examples): lawbreakers, worshippers of idols, people of other nations etc. His people had to choose to obey His specific command in each case, rather than the generalized one... If He was allowed to so "change His Mind", I do not see why He should not be allowed to call women to His service when times have obviously changed. Secondly, I do not think "ministry service" (being a pastor, passing one's knowledge on to those in need, whether men or women) is equivalent to "usurping" authority over people in any way. I would personally consider it "service" to the Lord and to humanity, which requires serious dedication, persesrverance and humbleness. It is not about what titles we stick on the door of one's office - it's about how people get closer to Christ by us being there for them. Thirdly, if we are to take this passage separately from its context and accept it as you are suggesting we should, we see that Paul is talking about ALL forms of teaching or having authority - 1Tim 2 has actually nothing to do with church organization at all... That would mean that my mother, for example, who is a biophysicist and has male PhD students every year is sinning by simply teaching or guiding them... Priscilla herself would also have sinned by teaching Apollos - Paul never condemned her. Not to mention, of course, I would have been sinning by "teaching" on this forum and everywhere else, I would actually be sinning even right now by writing this to you! Taking this verse by itself would simply tell us that the true Christian lifestyle is against gender-equality, we are to be anti-feminists and discriminating. Now I do not believe it was even close to either God's or Paul's intentions to create that picture of the ideal Christian community... Approving of women taking the position to which they are entitled in the Body of Christ is, in my opinion, not even similar to approving of homosexuality or abortion. About the relationship between the church and state I am again on a different opinion but I will not elaborate that now in detail. But since this question is so personal to me, I must accept that you can probably remain much more objective about it than I can... Indeed it is hard to ignore the quite strong emotions which statements that belie my own calling raise in me. I hope you can understand that. But of course it is not about how I feel - it is about discerning, without false justifications, what vocation God has intended me to have. Honestly I would rather be a toilet-cleaner all my life than grieve the Lord by becoming something I am not authorized to become... So I think I will now go on a few days' quiet retreat to seek the will of God before I start debating with you or anyone (especially older men!) about this issue. I would really appreciate prayers... May God bless you, and thank you again for your concern for my spiritual development, Zsuzsi |