Why is it that 20th century girls can’t preach?
 
Question: Why is it that 20th century girls can't preach?
Answer: The Bible's answer to this question is found in a couple of places:
  1. "A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet." 1 Timothy 2:11, 12, NAS95.
  2. "The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church." 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35, NAS95.
Now, of course, this is not to say that women can and should never speak. Women are specifically commanded to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5); this would be the appropriate place for a "20th century girl" to preach. But in a mixed assembly with men, the Bible is clear.
"Yeah," you might be thinking, "but what about the passage in Galatians that says, 'For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.' (3:27-29). Doesn't that say that there really is no male or female? That we are all equal? That there should be no differences between us?"
First, take a close look at the passage and note that roles of men and women are not what Paul is talking about. What Paul is talking about is the equality of the reward we will all have -- that salvation and Heaven and the inheritance of eternal life is available to all, whether you are a man or a woman. Becoming a Christian didn't change the roles of masters and slaves, Jew or Greek, or any other division in humanity. It just made us all equal co-heirs of Heaven. So also with the male and female thing. There are roles for men and for women that have nothing to do with superiority or inferiority. Speaking publicly doesn't make anyone superior, nor does being a listener make someone inferior. Leadership is a role given to men by God from the very beginning in Genesis. Women are not inferior to men, just different with different roles.
Now, you may be thinking something like, "Well, that was then -- a long time ago -- when things were a lot different. Women were never allowed to be leaders in religion or anything else! But today's women are well educated and well liberated; do you really think that an ancient command like what you quoted still applies to 20th century women?"
The short answer is yes, the Scriptures apply yesterday, today, and on into the future. The calendar doesn't serve as a delete button for any of God's commands. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." Matthew 24:35, NAS95.
But let me give you the longer more detailed answer -- one I think you need to consider:
  1. ★It is untrue that women in ancient times were not allowed to be leaders in religion. Women in ancient times were allowed to serve as priestesses and high-priestesses in a number of religions of Jesus' and Paul's day. If ever there was a time to change things to become more egalitarian (equal), it was in the first century!
  2. ★Intelligence, education, or any other ability or opportunity has apparently nothing to do with God's command. God has simply from the beginning assigned roles to men and different roles to women. God assigned roles for all His creation; shall the pot tell the cook what role it will play in making dinner? No, the pot plays its part, its role, as the cook chooses. So also with men and women; let us simply submit to and find our meaning in God's choices. Paul argues, "On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'Why did you make me like this,' will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?" Romans 9:20, 21, NAS95.
  3. ★Women in our culture do have more liberties than women in ancient society -- and it is so because of Christianity, not in spite of it. But culture (all cultures) is just the man-made structure of society and comes with plenty man-made weaknesses and mistakes, no matter what culture you're talking about. The only social structure without sin is God's. It would be dumb to swap God's perfection for man-made cultural traditions. Jesus severely rebuked the Pharisees of His day because they were..."'Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.' He was also saying to them, 'You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.'" Mark 7:8, 9, NAS95.
Bottom line: God's command, which cannot be deleted or swept away at our convenience, is that men (males) should take the spiritual leadership in the church. This would include leaders like elders, deacons, preachers, and teachers of mixed crowds. This also applies to prayer leaders, song leaders, and others who stand in front of the assembly in any sort of leadership capacity. This is different from the practices of many of our religious friends, but it is not only OK to be different sometimes, it is actually required... "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, NAS95.
Good Questions... Answered
Wednesday, October 10, 2007