I’ve have heard 2 Timothy 1:5 used to defend women as
pastors and preachers. The problem is that this verse has nothing to do with
being a pastor or a preacher; it is entirely about parenting and raising your
child in the ways of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not
depart from it.
In contrast, we do have these scriptures that make it quite clear regarding women teaching or preaching.
1 Corinthians 14:33-35 (ESV)
For God is not a God of
confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should
keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be
in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn,
let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in
church.
I’ve heard some argue that this was simply an issue within
this church, where women were causing problems. However, it states, “As in all
the churches of the saints,” so this wasn’t limited to one church—it applied to
all the churches. Additionally, we see this addressed in 1 Timothy 2:12-15.
1 Timothy 2:12-15 (ESV)
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority
over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam
was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not
deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she
will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and
holiness, with self-control.
Again, I’ve heard people argue that this was specific to the time and culture
they lived in. However, Paul stated that it was because Adam was formed first,
then Eve. Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a
transgressor. I don’t see how the message could be any clearer. Yet, we still
try everything possible to justify women as preachers and teachers.
Now, I will add that there is nothing in the Scriptures that
says a woman cannot teach a child or other women. 2 Timothy 1:5 shows us how a
grandmother and mother should raise their child in the ways of the Lord. If
you’re a woman with a youth ministry or a women’s ministry, I see nothing wrong
with that, nor can I find anything in the Bible that speaks against it. In
fact, I believe the Bible supports that role for women.I have heard this
scripture used several times in defense of women pastors and preachers.
Acts 2:17 (ESV)
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God
declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
But then again, this verse does not say women can be pastors
or preachers. It says, “and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,”
I like this from Bible.org. Prophecy is not identical to
preaching but involves both forthtelling and foretelling. The reason women may
prophesy but not teach or preach to men is that the message that the prophet
gets from God is not filtered through the interpretive process—that is, it is
directly mediated by the Spirit. Hence, in effect, prophecies are ‘tamper-proof,’
whereas teaching is not.
I
have heard it said they believe the Bible is God's inspired word but then go on
and to say they think John got it wrong in 1 John 2:1 (ESV) My little children,
I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.
They think it should say “you will sin”. To me it looks like they think Paul
and John just got it wrong.
So why do we struggle so much with what Paul teaches? Why do
we try to find reasons to go against his teachings? If Paul was wrong about
this, what else might he have been wrong about? Do we truly believe the Bible
is the inspired Word of God?
Posting what I believe on Facebook has gotten me into trouble
recently—lol. You don’t have to agree with me on everything, and that’s okay.
You’re welcome to tell me why you think I’m wrong, but please make it biblical
and include your scriptures. Simply saying, “So-and-so is doing great work for
the Lord,” and using that as proof doesn’t cut it.
Voddie Bachman has said it would be easier to make a
biblical argument for polygamy than for women preachers.
No comments:
Post a Comment