What is a Christian woman's (proper) role according the Scriptures? Preaching and Teaching? Barefoot in the Kitchen? Well, what I hope to do is address common views of Scripture, point out what i believe is proper understanding, and ultimately edify and encourage our women of the faith. (also check out our podcast about women in ministry)
Well, I bet the title got your attention. lol. But just to clarify, there will be no woman bashing or sexist opinions if thats what you are expecting.
What my intentions are, is to simply share for the edification of the church...both male and female.
Today's Perspective
“we are in a post-feminism society, a post women's liberation society...[and] are already conditioned to receive the Scriptures as barbaric, archaic, oppressive and therefore unrighteous and to be rejected. ”
Before we begin, I feel it is necessary to point out that we are in a post-feminism society, a post women's liberation society. Not that it is an issue, but it does speak to the biased the exists. Instead of considering the Scriptures because they are holy and righteous coming from our Creator, when are already conditioned to receive the Scriptures as barbarian, archaic, oppressive and therefore unrighteous and to be rejected. In reality this is a fairly new concept and practice, when you consider all previous civilizations. So I felt it important to first point out that we are coming from a biased place, and I just want to deal with what the Scriptures actually teach.
Let's Do This!
Today, I believe, more than ever we find many many Women "in Ministry". Some Pastors, preacher, Apostles, Evangelist, First Ladies, Co-Pastors, or some play subtle yet important roles behind the scenes. Some in Sunday school programs, or Vacation Bible School, or Food drives, Outreach....many rarely mentioned ministries for Christ. Now no matter who fulfills what ministry "diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit...differences of administrations, but the same Lord."(1corinthians12:4-5). Meaning, we all are just as important to Gods work as another. No one office is more important. Its all Gods work, and all must work together. So I thank God to see people really involved in any Ministry, because we need more dedication to God...not this "Sunday Saint", Church kid clique/ fad that exists.
Now, honestly, it seems like everybody wants to be the preacher now. We do a little studying, quote a couple scriptures, or get preaching when we are supposed to singing on the praise team....and then....that seed is planted. That "I'm a preacher" seed. This has women and men alike out of place right now.
Also, this is the ladies part....I strongly encourage any woman in ministry....study, and i mean study those scriptures and go to God, and please find one place in the Scriptures where God called a woman to pastor, preach, as an Apostle or Evangelist or Prophet. I promise you, you cannot find it, because it is not there. 66 books of the bible, written by men...5 books of major prophet and 12 minor, men.....the levitical priests, the sons of Aaron: all men. Also worth considering is the King of Israel, even though thats kinda the nation, not quite the same as the tabernacle. The four Gospels, recorded and commissioned to men, The 12 disciples and Apostles chosen all men in-spite of there being plenty of devout women following Jesus. Even considering the Five fold ministries; Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Teacher and Pastor. Not one woman was ever given those titles in any of the Scripture. WHY NOW? Honestly, it doesn't make sense. And this isn't to make a woman inferior, I believe the woman and the man, and everyone in the church would help the church and the world if the were in the position that God called them.
Now, to touch one one thing: prophet. its a masculine title, automatically given to a man, like Mr. And to be a prophet is different than the gift of prophecy. Very different. Also, a prophetess is not a female prophet, just like a deaconess is not a female deacon. For one, deaconess is not in the scriptures....its "deacons wives"....self-explanatory right?! Your only a deacons wife, if your the wife of a deacon. So likewise with prophetess although is a little different. According to Strong's Concordance a prophetess is a female disciple to a prophet. Ex. Miriam was Moses' sister, and it didn't say she was a leader or preacher....she lead them in song and in worship after the exodus. Very different. Some cases, a prophetess was the wife of the prophet, and others may have been a devote follower which also had prophesied. That does not demonstrate any of the being chosen as a constant leader of God's people. There is no correlation from Prophetess to Pastor, or even Preacher.
Now if someone honestly finds BIBLICAL EVIDENCE (thats all i will except), with proper interpretation/understand, not taken out of context....please share.
Some arguments I am familiar with , and my response to them "The Donkey"(NIV) or "Dumb Ass" (KJV), is not exceptable. For one, he prophesied/rebuked, not pastored a people, and two, it spoke with a MANS voice lol.
"But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet." 2 Peter 2:16
Also, Queen Esther is not acceptable: She was a queen of PERSIA (not Israel), and was not a priest prophet or preacher of any kind. She made a petition to her husband the King to show mercy to her kin( the jews), and for that is honored and remembered.
Deborah in Judges prophesied. I won't take that away from her or the Jews; that women were used by God in that way and they delivered prophecy and helped judge Israel. Again, I don't see a direct correlation from this to Pastor and Preaching. As I've mentioned already they prophesied (or were a prophetess) in accordance with their male prophet, sometimes their husbands.
To keep it simple, my view on Huldah, which I believe to be the strongest case, is the same as I have stated for Deborah. What she did, the prophesy she delivered, was great and dealt with the judgement from God concerning Israel's having fallen from the faith. We she see was in the company of the prophets. This not only is biblical and points to the proper definition and existence of a Prophetess, but I whole heartedly believe in and support! My wife as well as other sisters have contributed greatly, and I fully support hearing from them especially when they believe it to be by inspiration of God.
And lastly, the ever so popular....
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians3:28
This is simple. This scripture and entire chapter was teaching that salvation had come; not according to works of the law, but like Abraham receive the promise by faith without works of the law, we also now receive by faith. This inheritance found but faith in Christ was to ALL MANKIND: Jews, Gentiles, Free men, Slaves, males and females....CHRIST CAME FOR ALL. Not Christ came so anyone can be pastors lol. To use this Scripture we would have to claim that it expressly stated that, which it doesn't. So if we ignore the context of this passage and take it separately and out of context can make it mean whatever you want. That doesn't make it right.
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians3:27-29
See, we miss the whole point when we neglect context. Like i said....Salvation by Faith..being baptized into Christ makes us all one (ephesians 4:1-5) as it relates to salvation....not callings. To help understand the difference. "Timothy" which were books, or letters written by Paul to Timothy, the first pastor ordained BY PAUL over the church of Ephesus. These letters were geared towards what was decent and orderly in running the church. And this is the one that stings but I DID NOT WRITE IT ;-) :
"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." 1 Timothy 2:11 -15
Now, if you cannot see that, you are simply deceiving your own self, and whoever else you teach or influence. And for those that say that was just Paul and the "men of those times" who were archaic or sexist, i will remind the CHRISTIAN that a pillar of our faith is this:
" All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16
Inspiration means it came from the very breath or Spirit of God. Hence, the WORD OF GOD. It's either all God or all man, we cant pick and choose what to believe
AND also...
"Knowing this first,that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:20
Once again, Scripture came from God not Man, and there is only one true meaning...not different interpretations.
In ConclusionGod formed the family and the church the same. Biblically who is the head of the church? Who is the head of family? Who was first created and more importantly FOR WHAT PURPOSE...[because men, we STILL ARE FAILING OUR PURPOSE]...and when/how was the woman made, FOR WHAT PURPOSE and whose name did she take.
Its real simple guys. Order has been established by God. God is the head, then His Son Jesus, submits to Him and is the head Man, who submits to Christ and is head of the Woman who submits to the man and is over their children (add there is multiple New Testament scriptures for that as well). This is the order. It doesn't change to one order in the church and one at home, The Old Testament or New Testament; it is the order God has established for all creation until we are changed into the substance of Angels and inherit to New Heavens and New Earth. Until then, remain faithful.
(debates and opinions are not welcome.....i simply want everybody maximizing their TRUE potential in Christ)
All Love, PEACE :-), blessings and ENCOURAGEMENT to all Ladies in Christ.
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