Crossing A Boundary - Gender Issues - part II

 Crossing a boundary - Gender Issues - 2

https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_women.htm

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And, if you haven’t looked - check out Paula Stone Williams - see her TEDX presentation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrYx7HaUlMY 

Recap:  Yesterday in part I, we talked about Gender in the church - and in particular in ministry (as pastors, priests, leaders).  Episcopal, Methodist, (some) Lutheran, United Church of Christ (UCC), even some Baptists, and more liberal Jewish congregations have female pastors.  The divide could be considered “liberal” and “conservative” churches.  The more liberal, the more open to female leaders in the church, and on the opposite, the more conservative churches hang on the concept that Jesus only had male disciples/apostles.  

Part II

Many women are highlighted in the Gospels, the woman at the well, the woman taken in adultery, the woman with an issue of blood, the woman who gave her last coin, and others.  Jesus did pick males - as it would be difficult (if not impossible) to continue his mission with females!!  Who did Jesus appear to after His resurrection?  A woman. 

But, you are stepping on toes if you try to breach the “inerrancy” of the Bible.  A believer is put into determining what is true for them and what is false for them.   Again 1 Timothy 2:11 says “Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them”

It is in the Word of God - the Bible - the Bible has no errors - therefore women can’t teach or have authority!!!  

OR - the second option!!

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The second version from What the Bible Says about Women suggests that women can have ministerial roles in the church:

“The "Yes" Conclusion: Women Can Be Ministers and Priests

(quoted directly from the linked article)

“Many others view the New Testament prohibitions simply as practical advice to preserve the sanctity and tranquility of the church and to avoid scandal. Although the New Testament writers passively accepted slavery, few people would argue that we should return to the horrors of slavery. In the same way, although the New Testament writers passively accepted the oppression of women, it does not imply that a leadership role for a woman would be wrong in today's very different society. Some of the great leaders and prophets of Israel were women, so God could not have intended to exclude women from spiritual and political leadership. Paul's proclamation of equality and Jesus' willingness to defy convention and accept women into his larger circle of disciples should be the guiding principles rather than the customs of the Roman Empire in the first century. Women took as large a role in the early Church leadership as was allowed by the conventions of that society, so women today should be able to serve the Church in whatever positions they are qualified to fill.”  (end quote)

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The Bible (especially the Old Testament) allowed men to have multiple wives (like Jacob - who had four wives; King David supposedly had many wives - although only eight are named; I Kings 11:3 says about Solomon “He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines.

The modern world would condemn the concept of multiple wives.  (As-a-comment - did Solomon sleep with each of his wives?  Even if he had a different wife every night, it could take close to three years to sleep with each one!!!!) 

It would seem that God would want to speak to all people (and to use all people - male and female to proclaim His message).  

I have heard men sharing meaningful messages and I have heard women sharing meaningful messages.  My bias is that having women take part (or lead) in churches is acceptable in today’s world.

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We will continue gender analysis tomorrow!!

LOVE WINS!!

HUGS!!

Karen