Women: Where do we fit in the Church? Part 2

 Continuing on from part 1:

I know the Galatians 3:28 (see previous post) speaks about equality for gender etc. but the context is  regarding salvation and it doesn't address the role of women in the church, merely that we are seen equally. We can be equal and still different. It is obvious by other scripture within the New Testament that there are definitely differences. So even though it would make my life easier, I can't put my eggs into the Egalitarian basket, it just doesn't jive with the rest of scripture. This is what Scripture says:

"A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner... Here is a trust worthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his won family well and see that his children obey him with respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his owm family, how can he take care of God's church?) 1 Tim 2:11-3:5

Quietness?! Silent!? I don't know about you but this section about quietness and submission really gets me mad. But, instead of just brushing it off as a cultural thing since women were not educated at that time, I decided to study it deeper. What I found is that this scripture isn't nearly as harsh as it sounds. Here's the breakdown I found in Vintage Church:

• First of all it states that a woman should learn. This passage encourages women to know/learn theology, to be educated and well versed in the things of God.

• Second, lets talk about Paul's requirements for being a student of theology the first of which is "quietness." Vintage Church puts it well saying "Quietness here does not mean total silence but rather a peaceable demeanor, which in 1 Tim 2:2 is also required of everyone. Having a mind and heart that are still has always been a benefit to me in learning, much more so than when I go to class looking to argue with every thing my professor says.

• The second requirement is submission. This isn't kneeling at the teacher's feet with eyes downcast kind of submission. It's more a deference to your teacher because of respect. The more I think about it I realize that anyone who wants to learn under a teacher will submit to the teaching. Submission is a outward sign of respect for the authority of the teacher/leader. If I respect an individual I will trust their encouragement, admonishment, and lessons and act accordingly.

• This Scripture also makes it clear that women should not be teaching (preaching to) men. This is part of the authority thing that all women have to deal with because of the Fall. Men have to deal with authority as well in a different way. But as far as women having spiritual authority/responsibility over men goes things are pretty cut and dry with the Bible's description with authority and gender roles. I don't like it but I can respect it. I don't fully understand it either but I've come to trust that God has very specific reasons for this. If anyone has any insight on this I would love to talk about it with you.

• The final component of this passage is the "exercise authority over" part. Interpretation of this phrase is pivotal to where you stand as either complementarian or hierarchical (it doesn't really matter to egalitarians since this passage is viewed by them to be applicable only to those in the culture at that time). Some take the most conservative view of authority and simply allow women to minister only to other women and children (as we are led to do in Titus 2). However, the moderate interpretation of the word "authority" in this passage is taken from "the standard Greek lexicon understanding: 'to assume a stance of independent authority, give orders to, dictate.' which describes well the elder-level authority in the church. This also seems logical, as what immediately follows in the next chapter of 1 Tim 2 is the requirements for elders-pastors, which include being a mature Christian man and an exemplary husband and father. Correspondingly, Paul forbids women to to teach and exercise authority as elders-pastors. Later in his instructions to timothy, Paul honors elders 'who labor in the word and teaching' (literally translated) Teaching here likely refers to preaching and teaching as done by the elders. Only elders preach, enforce formal church discipline, and set doctrinal standards for the church” p67-68 Vintage Church. In other words authority can be translated as taking authority over and passing out orders which is described as the responsibility of an elder. 

 To sum up: Paul states that a woman shouldn't take up the position of elder/pastor which is described as a job godly men need to take responsibility for. But we are are encouraged to learn and study the things of God. We are given some tips on how to maximize the learning experience by having a peaceful quiet heart and respectful attitude.  All in all I feel much better about that verse and no longer have to cringe when I read it. My study at least has gotten me to the point where I know the one position women aren't advised to fill within the church. So, now that I know where I shouldn't try to serve I want to know where I should share my talents/gifts. Next time I will post a little of what the Bible says women should do in the church.

Women: Where do we fit in the Church? Part 1

While reading in 1 Corinthians these past few weeks I have found there is a part of scripture which leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. In fact, there are verses which I skip entirely because I have such a knee-jerk reaction to them. I never really thought about my feelings about these verses I just wrote it off as not relevant to me or my culture and read on. But I have since had to face these feelings and verses head on.

A friend recently gave me a book titled Created To Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl wanting to have my take on what the author has to say about the roles of women as wives and what she (the author) believes about our duty as Christian wives to our husbands. Let me say right off that I am rebellious by nature (who of us isn't) and I don't like to be told what to do or how to live. I understand that God has placed authority in my life and I know it will be life long journey learning how to live as Christ in the area of honoring and respecting the authorities in my life. With that said I began a journey into the mind of Debi Pearl and actually found many things she said very valuable as well as helpful.

However, there is something she said about women and their role in the Church that well, to put it mildly, really pissed me off. Chapter 11 titled The Nature of Man and Women touched on the author's view of women teaching within the church, and lets just say she has some very strong views on the matter. I was left with the impression that her view is that women have no place to be in leadership roles within the church and cited many of the scripture verses about women and leadership roles which I had, up until recently, been avoiding. Because I had such a strong reaction to her opinions I decided to do a little research myself. What is the role of women within the Church? What does the Bible really say is my responsibility and privileges as a member of Christ's body. Does my ministry to other Christians differ from that of men? Am I only allowed to minister to other women and children? Because these questions and my attitude towards scripture that addresses this issue I decided to finally really delve into it and get some answers. I thought I would share with you what I have found and believe but I encourage you to study this further if it has been on your mind as well. (I got my information from the Bible, Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears, as well as some websites)

 There are three schools of thought when it comes to men and women working together in the church:

Egalitarian  (Liberal view of women in church leadership)

• Defined by Miriam Webster: "a belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and economic affairs" 
• These Christians use Galatians 3:28-29 as the basis for their belief that women and men hold completely equal standing within the church. (There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.) This equality extends to all forms of leadership within the church including elder and pastoral positions.
• Vintage Church describes it this way "Men and women are partners together in every area of ministry. All ministries and offices in the church are open to men and women. Gender is not a relevant distinctionfor excluding any person from any church office." p.68
• Some churches that follow this model are the United Methodists, Church of the Nazarene, some Presbyterians, and Lutherans. 

Complementarian (Moderate view of women in church leadership)

• Defined by theopedia.com "the theological view that although men and women are created equal in their being and personhood, they are created to complement each other via different roles in life and in the church"
• Vintage Church's take: Men and women are partners in every area of ministry together. Women and men are encouraged and equipped to fulfill all ministries and offices of the church with the singular exception of the office of elder, which the scriptures require to be a male-only office." p 68
• Some churches that follow the complementarian model are: Christian Missionary Alliance, Bible Fellowship church, and Orthodox Presbyterian

 Hierarchial (Conservative view of women in church leadership)

• Merriam Webster definition: "a ruling body of clergy organized into orders or ranks each subordinate to the one above it"
• Vintage Church describes it this way: "Women and men are created to operate in different spheres of ministry within the church. Women are not permitted to be an elder or deacon, serve communion, teach men, lead worship, pray or speak in the church service etc. Women should focus on building ministries for other women and children
• Some churches include: Amish and the Roman Catholic church as well as some fundamentalist Baptist

Now that I had a good idea of how churches define gender roles within the church. I began to search what scripture had to say about women within the church. I have always leaned towards a more complementarian view but without any real information to back it up. So I delved into scripture. I will share this with you in my next post so you don't get information overload. Also, please note that there are varying degrees of each of these concepts. Just like how politics has a wide verity of political parties and not everyone fits perfectly into each party, there can be churches that are anywhere between these three schools of thought.

Update February 22

It's been a while since I posted last. I have been doing a little painting for Dayton Christian School (they recently sold some property and needed me to paint in the chapel building for the new owners). I have to say that it has been really good to get my hands on a paintbrush again. However, my first day was a little traumatic. They have me working up where a loft would be if it had ever been built so I have to use a ladder to get to the "platform" which is a bunch of 2x4s and plywood that act as ceiling to the bathrooms and foyer. Then on top of that there is a scaffold erected so all in all I'm about 60 ft high off the ground.

I'm not usually nervous about heights, but man, I can't tell you how often I had to stop, close my eyes and try to breath the first day I climbed up there. It's funny how we psyche ourselves out sometimes when all we need to do is trust God will keep us safe. Usually I don't worry about my physical safety (I'm still young and still feel invincible most of the time) but it has been a good reminder about my safety and life being in His capable hands. I know that Peter may have felt foolish when he freaked out while walking on the waves with Jesus. But how little faith must I have to have a panic attack about painting 60 feet in the air? That's right I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I cried like a little girl. These pics don't look like much, but when you are up there its a bit intense.

But it did put to my mind a song I used to sing as a little girl that is taken from Isaiah 43:1-2 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." This doesn't mean we throw all caution to the wind and live recklessly. It does mean though that when faced with situations you aren't sure you can handle you can rest assured that God is with those who trust His name. He helped me conquer my fear on the scaffold and he can help you with your fears as well :)

On a different note, I haven't gotten nearly as much knitting done as usual but I did finish a hat. I also have been working on a sweater this past month for a friend of mine. She is having an art show this upcoming Saturday.  The art was created as part of her healing process in the wake of a miscarriage. She used her art as a means to heal and God has done an amazing work in her heart through the process. If you can make it I'm sure she would appreciate the support. I know I've posted a link on it before but here is the info again in a link: the show is called The Labor and Delivery of Grief The sweater is the same as the white one I knitted last month. Here are some very sad pictures of it and my hat. Hopefully I will get a better one of the sweater at the art show to share with you all.

Family Update February 8

Today is mom's last day for chemo!!!!! She will still have to go in and get another med but the worst of if is all over. Everything else is pretty much the same on the home front. I have started making a sweater for my friend Summer. She is having an art show at the end of the month (Feb 27) centered around miscarriage and healing from that grief. I encourage anyone who can to come out and support it. Here is the info for it if you are interested. Anyway, I will have it done by then so she can wear it for the show.

Yesterday I made some cute cookies and I'd like to share them with you. (metaphorically not literally) I used a sugar cookie recipe and icing recipe from betty crocker and they turned out pretty tasty. Here are some pics :)