the7ones.comDoes the church of Christ have female preachers?
The quick answer is “no.” The longer answer must take into account the fact that in the Bible, God has given certain roles to the man, and certain roles to the woman.
Although God has given woman the role of teaching other women (Titus 2:3-5), He has not given woman the role of teaching men publicly in the worship assembly:
Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 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. — 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (ESV)
Is this demeaning to women? We should hope not! Although the changing world may hold that women should be able to take any role they please, the unchanging Word of God does not agree.
Because the Bible does not speak of women preachers, neither does the church of Christ use them.
See also Wayne Jackson’s good articles on The Role of Woman and The Woman’s Role in the Church.
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I’m struggling with the question of womens’ role within the Church. I keep hearing it discussed as if it were simply the Word of God — and thus must be applied without interpretation or consideration for the context of the day.
But in many other instances — the covering of womens’ hair, the keeping of slaves, having concubines, the ability of women to own property, the punishments for certain sins (stoning for adultery, etc.) — we choose to say that these were a cultural phenomenon, and thus don’t employ them in our daily lives or practice. So why, when it comes to the power structure of the Church, are we supposed to simply accept the subjugation of women?
Why would it not be acceptable in the same spirit to choose to view the admonitions against womens’ power as arising from cultural structures rather than directly intended by the gospel? It’s hard for me because I’ve read a great deal about the history of the Bible’s creation and I’ve learned about many books that were not included…gospels left out or changed…choices made, etc., that seem to me just as likely to be the origin of the exhortations against womens’ full participation in the church.
Hi Sara,
Thank you for your post. I understand your struggle, as this is a tough issue in light of what our postmodern society teaches regarding the role of women in the church.
As a simple answer, the reason we can be sure Paul’s teachings were not based in simple transient cultural situations is that Paul gives two reason that are not based on culture:
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
These two things were certainly not born out of Greek culture, but rather had to do with the initial creation and the fall of man.
Hope this helps! May God bless you in all things according to His will.
Matt
The pouring out my spirit on all flesh sons and daughters. Explain?
Hi Chris,
Think of it in terms of a question:
Does a pouring out of His Spirit on both “sons and daughters” necessarily entail that women will use spiritual gifts to preach to men?
Where are the men?
The entire discussion about women’s roles in the church, to me, misses a point of God’s plan for men. We’ve all heard it said, “the only thing women’s liberation did was liberate men from their responsibilities.”
Satan is strong and powerful, great is his deception that we can pick scriptures to say one thing and miss God’s overall theme and plan.
Men are not stepping up to the plate, taking the leadership roles God plans for them because it is easier and shame on us women for letting them do this.
I believe Ms. Jackson needs to be careful in her analysis of women’s roles in the church, is it based on what she wants or God’s will as seen throughout all scripture?