Addendum to "She Loved Much"

Scripture Against Scripture

 

As is to be expected, I am being faced with some opposition and criticism on this subject of the role of women within the church. But let me begin with this. And I do not say this as a matter of pride, for I give all the glory to God for all that he does in me and through me for his glory. But I am not a novice at this. I have taught the Scriptures, by the grace of God, for 50+ years, and nearly daily for the past 20 years, and definitely daily for the past 5+ years. And I rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit in what I write.

 

What I have learned over the years is that we are going to come across Scriptures which don’t make sense in light of other Scriptures taught on the same subject, but with what may appear to be a contradictory message. In those cases we must be diligent about comparing Scripture with Scripture so that we get the full message, and so that we do not go with something that God did not intend. We need to have the full picture so that we do not follow after what is false as a “stand alone.” Context is critical to correct biblical interpretation and understanding. And that is what this writing was doing.

 

I AGREE!

 

So, I will begin by saying that I agree with and I stand by the teachings in the Scriptures which teach that women are not to usurp authority over men, and that they are not to instruct men in a position of authority over them to where they have the right to exercise both authority and discipline over the men. The only possible exception to this rule, I believe, is if there are no males within the congregation who meet the Spiritual qualifications for overseer that God might raise up a woman to hold that position instead.

 

The context of both 1 Corinthians 14:34-36 and 1 Timothy 2:11-13:

 

“34Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. 36Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?”

 

“11Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve.”

 

What is the situation here? The women were not being submissive to the men in authority. They were being disruptive, asking questions out loud without being given permission to speak, and they were usurping authority over the men, acting as though they were not only equal with the men, but that they could speak as though they were in positions of authority over the men. This is definitely wrong! But let me add that we are never to submit to authority which is leading us to do what is clearly evil in the eyes of God.

 

We Are All Necessary!

 

Now, in the writing, “She Loved Much,” we are given many biblical examples of Jesus using or allowing women to do, either what the men did not do, but should have done, or to take the message of the gospel to men and women, and/or to prophesy (to preach, to exhort, to edify) in a public gathering of both men and women. For the Bible teaches that we are all necessary to the proper working of the body, and not one part should say to another that “We have no need of you.” So, then, does it make sense he would silence us? No!

 

We are all called

 

[Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 2:36; Luke 7:36-50; Luke 10:38-42; John 2:1-11; John 4:1-42; John 8:1-11; John 20:11-18; Acts 2:14-18,42-47; Acts 21:9; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 11:5; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:15-16; Ephesians 5:15-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 5:19-20.]

 

Lastly, I believe it all comes down to submission to the authorities within the church. If women are given permission to speak, and it is done in proper order, and if it is done in the right way, for the upbuilding of the body of Christ, then they should be allowed to speak. But they are not to usurp authority over the men nor to cause a disturbance in the congregation, and they are not to instruct men in the sense of being over men in authority. But they are to remain in submission and in proper order, and then they can speak as they are called upon to speak, as God gifts them to speak.

 

Sincerely, in Christ Jesus,

 

Sue J Love

Christ’s Free Servant