subtle revolution

"There are two kinds of revolutionists, as of most things- a good kind and a bad. The bad revolutionists destroy conventions by appealing to fads- fashions that are newer than conventions. The good do it by appealing to facts that are older than conventions." (G.K. Chesterton)

03 May 2006

women in ministry

Ever since this matter was discussed with cordial passion at district conference I have been prayerful studying and examining the topic. What are your thoughts?

(Please provide reasoning in support of your opinion... the use of Scripture would be favorable as well.)

posted by Gregg @ 10:12 PM  

4 Comments:

  • At 4/5/06 4:54 AM, Blogger Beth said…

    Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word; great was the company of those that published it.

    this is the classic example of how prejudice alters translation.

    Check it in www.blueletterbible.com or similar multi-version source. Young's Literal, NASB, NLT, and ASV correctly translate as "female proclaimers" or "women that publish the tidings."

    Just one example.

    Your heart is pure, you will find truth.

    I'm so glad the subject was discussed both "cordially" and with "passion" - that is a winning combination.

     

  • At 4/5/06 5:18 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    So my thoughts on Women in ministry...

    1) Definetly have their place...(Rom 16:1-2)
    2) Can be leaders of ministry/missionaries...(Rom16:3, 1 Tim 4)
    3) Can be great hosts...(Rom 16:4)
    4) Were among the many to be aides in the ministry of Jesus, and the first to see and spread the word of HIS resurrection...(Matthew/Mark/Luke/John)
    5) In Worship, she is not supposed to teach a man, but can teach women...(I Tim 2 :9-ff)

    Just throwing my 2 cents in...
    When it comes to my life, my wife teaches me more then I'd care to know...and so does my neice!

     

  • At 6/5/06 10:19 PM, Blogger Gregg said…

    What about the way that Paul defends his position regarding this issue? He doesn't appeal to cultural, but to creation.
    (1 Tim. 2:13)

     

  • At 10/5/06 11:33 AM, Blogger Beth said…

    Good point, Gregg. I don’t know why Paul said that. I do know it’s a difficult scripture to understand, and that a general principle is to use scriptures that are more clear to interpret more obscure passages, instead of the other way around.

    The word “usurp” is a very forceful word that surely shouldn’t be characteristic of any of God’s people, man or woman. Years ago a friend sent me a teaching from the San Francisco Vineyard, who had appointed a committee to study the subject over a period of months. Their research shed light on the culture, where women were usurping authority over men by means of sexual seduction as a part of their participation in their religion. Which would be generally frowned on in even liberal Christian churches today. I don’t have all the answers, though.

    As to J-Mo’s thoughts, (in case he happens to glance back at this) what makes it OK for your wife to teach you in life, but not in the context of worship? Do those contexts ever overlap in your experience? Would it be OK for a woman to teach in a small group setting of both men and women, perhaps in a home? Is it OK for women to “share” from the pulpit as long as they don’t teach? Or can she teach from the pulpit as long as she has a male person who is her “authority covering”? How does that work for a woman to be a missionary or a leader of a ministry but not teach? Is it OK for women to teach very young men, like say 8-yr olds? If it’s an immutable spiritual principle, is it OK for a woman to teach a male of any age, since a man is male from the moment of conception? Some churches do have men responsible for the education of at least older children for this reason. I admire their attempts at consistency.

    I feel a little nervous about putting this much “out there.” I generally keep my mouth shut on this topic. And my hair is quite long! :-) (Reference Paul’s argument to “the nature of things” in I Cor 11 which in context seems to refer to his culture.) Well, this issue is important only to the extent that it helps us fulfill the GC and grow up in Christ in all things. I do not know exactly where God set the boundaries, but it is quite clear many humans have set their own fences in a variety of places, all of which can’t be correct and many of which are internally inconsistent. My desire is never to be contentious but I do enjoy making people think, including myself. Thank you for asking the question! :-)

     

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