Question
s there anywhere in the Bible that states or show where women should be Pastors or Ministers? And why do they I mean Male Preachers allow them into the Pulpit?
Answer
Not only is there no place in Scripture which authorizes women to act as general evangelists, but there are passages that specifically condemn it.
1. 1 Timothy 2:11–12: “Let a woman 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.
2. 1 Corinthians 14:34: “Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. And 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.”
3. 1 Corinthians 11:3: “I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
All sorts of arguments are advanced to get around these Scriptures, but this much is clear: Women were not permitted to place themselves in positions of authority and leadership. That position is the responsibility of men. Nor was it simply a matter of their custom in those days. Paul argues from the point of creation in 1 Tim. 2:13–14, from law in 1 Cor. 14:34 and from the divine order of authority in 1 Cor. 11:3.
Why men allow women to exercise this authority is another question altogether, and I can only give you my opinion on this. I think it is because (1) men do not really believe the Scriptures to be “God’s last word” on the matter; and (2) men do not seem to want to take responsibility like they once did. It may be that now that women are doing so much of the work, men prefer to “sit back” and let them lead. I suppose both men and women feel “liberated” by this arrangement, but it will only work to the harm of God’s kingdom and of society too. Perhaps a third point is that the modern feminist movement has been given the stamp of approval of the media, and society has accepted the “new order” of “women’s rights” as the way things should be. Hence, those who preach what the Bible teaches are soundly ridiculed. There aren’t many folks—men or women—who care to stand up for truth if it means being ridiculed.
By Doug Focht
