posted
As regards the Bible, it either is or is not God-breathed. I have objective reasons for my belief that indeed every word of the Bible is inspired. I could list some of them, but as think most of the readers of this list also believe the Bible is inspired, I will not do so at this time. Anyway, if indeed the Bible is God’s Word, it would be so both at the time it was written and now, and forever.
Now I shall not begin to debate those who do not accept the authority of Scripture, but rather consider the Bible to be merely a human document. They are free to believe this, of course, but again, I believe the evidence points to inspiration, and that’s where I will stand. Once the inspiration of the Bible is conceded, however, one must approach the text with humility and brokenness. Without that being the beginning point, all sorts of error will pop up. So before beginning any study of the Bible, I would always ask the Holy Spirit, who is in me, for an interpretation, rather than going ahead with my own agenda.
So in this context, we must first ask what the Bible indeed says as regarding the role of women in the Kingdom, in the church, and in society. If the Bible says something that we, in our natural minds, do not accept, what will we do? Will we be so proud as to tell God He is wrong, or will we humbly accept that we do not know everything, and that the wisdom of God makes our wisdom foolish? So only in the context of humility can we hope to arrive at a consensus, based not upon the wisdom of men, but upon the revelation of the Spirit. As Paul states, man was created first, then woman. Stewardship of the garden was given to Adam first, then Eve. So leadership, in God’s wisdom, was given to the man. Woman’s role was to be “helpmate”. At the Fall, Eve was taking over the lead, and Adam was standing by, almost helpless. The Bible does NOT say that the woman sinned, but that she was deceived. Adam was standing right there beside her. He knew the Truth, for the commandment to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil had been given to him, but he was unable to stop Eve from eating of it. In a word, he became PASSIVE, and that passivity has been the curse of the world ever since. Now in the context of the church, Paul is writing to Timothy.
"12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. "I Tim 2:12-16
So not only does Paul prohibit women from teaching, or having authority, over the man, he also gives the reason, going back to Creation. Thus though some have argued that Jesus, having reversed the curse, now would permit women to lead His church, this cannot be, for even before the Fall, woman was created to help Adam, not to replace him.
Let's all attempt to work from a fair and mutually respectful basis just as we would on any other issue of discussion or disagreement. Do real Christians who love and respect the Bible differ on matters of baptism, prophecy, and the Lord's supper? Obviously yes. Likewise, upon the silence of women and everything it entails.
I have seen, over the years, the suggestion made that those who disagree on the silence of women don't love God or his word. Now, not all interpretations are equally valid but they do vary as we see through a glass darkly and seek to compare what is spiritual with what is spiritual.
Take for instance, the usual interpretation of the word 'help' or 'helpmeet' which is assumed by most students of scriptures to mean a subordinate. Gen. 2:18. But most often, the word (ezar) is used for God, Himself. Ex. 18:4. I am not trying to build anything upon the meaning of this word but would like to show that it is sometimes misused in this particular investigation.
So, can we acknowledge that those who honor the Scriptures can interpret certain sections in a different way? Again, that is not to say that just any position is OK but to establish an environment to exchange our views.
Above all, I share your high esteem for God's revelation via the written word. Let's work from there. Things that are perfectly obvious to some are not so to others.
Great to hear from you on this cold night in Tennessee. No doubt, it is warm and sunny where you are, mauibrother.
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