Women roles

 

Back in the early 80's, when I was still a member in a SBC church (Southern Baptist Convention), I took classes through a SBC school called Luther Rice Seminary.

I believe this school came about, because of--for at least one reason--the liberal direction of the SBC seminaries at the time.

I took a class in Typology, and the textbook was written by a woman; her name was Ada R. Habershon. Luther Rice was a conservative SBC school, and yet, we used a book written by a woman on a theological topic.

I am writing this because of all the fuss recently about the role of women in the church.

I believe the issue is ultimately whether women can be in an office of authority over men, being an elder (or overseer—which I understand to be the same thing).

I've read some comments on both sides of the issue.

There's no need for me to write a book on it, because those already exist.

I would just like to make some points. For what it is worth.

I made reference to the use of the book by a woman in the SBC seminary (I actually was in the Bible College Division). The issue isn't whether men can learn from the efforts of women. Luther Rice didn't seem to have a problem with that.

You can learn from anybody, and like anything, you have to judge what they are saying. I read a book on Intelligent Design by Kitty Ferguson (obviously a woman, with the name “Kitty”) titled “The Fire In The Equations” which I thought was a great book, even though I perceived she wasn't a young earth creationist as I am. I can listen to or read anything by anybody, but I just seek to discern what is worth latching onto and what is not, or what needs further investigation.

Another point is in the meaning and use of words.

The word “pastor” seems to have taken on a more specific meaning than its broader meaning. “Pastor” translates the same Greek word as for “shepherd,” and it could more generally apply to anyone who teaches others, but it has taken on a more specific application for the head/lead elder who is usually a vocational elder—he gets paid to “pastor” the church—an old pastor friend of mine use to call him “the hired gun.” But in a general sense, the pastor is a teacher, and both men and women can fulfill that role. That role is not the same as being an elder, which is an office for which one has to be qualified. Though Ephesians 4:11 has “pastor-teacher” as one of the things given to the church, “pastor” is not in the Apostle Paul's list in First Corinthians 12:28 of spiritual gifts, but “teacher” is—which is set as third in importance in the Church after Apostles and Prophets. Why isn't there a reference to “pastors?” I believe pastor and teacher are interchangeable as to function.

The word “preach,” like pastor, has taken on a more specific meaning, such as giving the “sermon” to the congregation, but the word simply means to “herald” a message. It's not limited to just men to do such. And this is a role, or a function, not limited to the office of elder. Of course the question will be asked whether a woman can do this as the sermon to the church. Is it stepping over the line? It may be. Personally, I can choose to listen to a woman “preach” like I read a book. I will judge its content.

I don't want to write a book on the issue, but I'm sure I will make people mad because I didn't address all the relevant Scriptures on the issue.

I do believe when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit (roles or functions in the Church for its edification), a woman can do what a man can do as far as the general understanding of the roles and the words used for those roles.

There can be circumstances where it is more appropriate for one sex over the other to fulfill a certain function.

I don't believe having a certain gift is the same thing as having the office of elder. Not only are there qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7), it is, what I can see in Scripture, limited to men (I know about the male pronoun being added to the text).

Even men who are gifted teachers may not qualify to be an elder.

Some men become elders who are not qualified, because their homes are not in order—their children are out of control, or they have a violent temper, or they are not able to teach, have a bad reputation, etc.

Men and women are equals as persons, and yes, “there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:8), but that does not mean God hasn't put limits on what the sexes can do in this temporal stage of life. I'm sure it will be different in the age to come.

The Apostle Paul said that he did “not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man” (1 Timothy 2:11). I take that “authority over a man” to mean a woman should not be in a place of authoritative leadership over a man--at least in a spiritual sense. Many will disagree with this view.

In the end, we will all give account to Christ for what we believe and practice, at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).