Bible Question:
YenlsaRap: Was not the 1 Ti 2:11,12 in response to the fact women were not educated, and to ask questions in a service because it was rude, and showed their being uneducated? Else where in Scripture women are told to cover their head, why is this not stressed as well? The majority of denominations do not wash feet either now. As a matter fact if it were not for women in ministry during the 19th century, the United States would have had no Sunday Schools. There were many women preachers while the west was being settled. Often Churches were started by women extending Sunday School to those who wanted to hear more about Christ. When a men do not or won't step up to the Biblical leadership of the church, then should women just say they are helpless and let the evangelism of souls to Christ go undone? If asking a woman to keep silent in Worship Services is for today, then what about singing solos, or doing anything but keeping quiet? Who takes care of the babies in the nursery? Is the Church the only place a woman is not to teach or usurp authority? There are women in every profession, from judges, even in the higest court in the nation. Adam and Eve were both equally guilty of sin. If we are to love our wives as Christ loved the Church then perhaps we need to remember women are not second class anything. Not second class humans or second class Christians. What really seems cruel is to have women missionaries in a remote spot, by themselves serving in every way you can think of, and yet not Ordain them as we would a man. The "phenonomen in the churches of today" is not just a recent event or happening. There have been women in ministry from the time of Mary and Martha. Having been in Central and South America in the remote villages and small gatherings in a few houses, often it has been the women who have started the Sunday School or Worship Services. I believe Scripture was relating these verses, you used, in their cultural setting not as a mandate for all time. If we take these verses in the most literal meaning then there are other verses that have been ignored for the sake of keeping women under the subjection of ignorant men. Should we not encourage our women to excell in every way possible as Christians? Blessings. AFTER THOUGHT: I am sure my responce will not be accepted by the majority in the Study Bible Forum. I have no intention of causing an upset in the Study Bible Forum with my remarks. I respectfully decline to debate my opinion. I do think there far more to the subject of Women in Ministry than just being a preacher. In love, respect and peace, Justme |
Bible Answer: Dear Justme As far as I can see, the scriptures that I posted were not of a cultural nature. Women were not allowed to minister in the Temple, why? God set up the pattern for His service, not the culture. He could have included women at that time if He wanted it to be that way. After all it was in His service, and it still is today. When scripture says that a woman shall not to usurp authority over the man, I take it to mean a Woman was never given Authority the way Man was. As far as denominations not washing feet anymore. Was that ever taught by Jesus as something that should be done? Whereas Paul spoke directly to the question of women's position in the church. Women in ministry in the 19 century, was something that did take place as you say, but we do not know the circumstances surrounding those instances. When you say "When a men does not or won't step up to the Biblical leadership of the church, then should women just say they are helpless and let the evangelism of souls to Christ go undone?" By making that statement you have taken God completely out of the equation. Souls will be won for Christ in His timing, not because woman stepped in, when a man was negligent. God will deal with the man. Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. But a woman saying if I don't do it, it will not get done, is nothing more than PRIDE. In the 21st.. century, there is a difference, when a woman goes to seminary to obtain a licence to Preach. That then becomes an issue of culturally equal rights for women. Do we, or should we let culture (society) dictate to the Church in such matters? Aren't those rights protected by the Constitution, as far as the freedom of religion? Here are some other scriptures which add to my argument, I have posted both to keep a continuity of thought. (context) 1Ti 2:11,12 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1Ti 2:13,14 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 1Co 11:7-10 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. What was the reason woman was created? Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. We can see right from the beginning, woman was not created equal. Women singing solos, or taking care of the nursery, does not usurp authority, they are beyond the context of Paul's statement. In love, respect and peace, YenIsaRap |