Are women allowed to Preach?

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Aug 15, 2009
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From Middle English bishop, bisshop, bischop, biscop, from Old English biscop ‎(“bishop”), from British Latin *biscopo or Vulgar Latin(e)biscopus, from classical Latin episcopus‎(“overseer, supervisor”), from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος ‎(epískopos, “overseer”), from ἐπί ‎(epí, “over”) + σκοπός ‎(skopós, “watcher”), used in Greek and Latin both generally and as a title of civil officers. Cognate with all European terms for the position in various Christian churches (see below); compare bisp.
Alternative forms[edit]



Noun[edit]

bishop ‎(plural bishops)

  1. (Christianity) An overseer of congregations: either any such overseer, generally speaking, or (in Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, etc.) an official in the church hierarchy (actively or nominally) governing a diocese, supervising thechurch's priests, deacons, and property in its territory.  [quotations ▼]
    1. (religion, obsolete) A similar official or chief priest in another religion.  [quotations ▼]
    2. (obsolete) Any watchman, inspector, or overlooker.  [quotations ▼]
    3. (obsolete) The holder of the Greek or Roman position of episcopus, supervisor over the public dole of grain, etc.  [quotations ▼]
    4. The chief of the Festival of Fools or St. Nicholas Day.

    The thing to remember is the word "bishop" wasn't around in NT days..... it can't be accurate because of that. It's origins were created in the Roman Catholic church.
 
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A matriarchy is a social organizational form in which the mother or oldest female heads the family. Descent and relationship are determined through the female line. It is also government or rule by a woman or women. While those definitions apply in general English, definitions specific to the disciplines of anthropology and feminismdiffer in some respects.
Most anthropologists hold that there are no known societies that are unambiguously matriarchal, but some authors believe exceptions may exist or may have. Matriarchies may also be confused with matrilineal,matrilocal, and matrifocal societies. A few people consider any non-patriarchal system to be matriarchal, thus including genderally equalitarian systems, but most academics exclude them from matriarchies strictly defined.

This is from wikipedia. Feel free to quote from any Sociology textbook that claims that the United States is a matriarchy.
I did. Sociology 101. Can't help that I took the course in 1974. And, honest? You trust wiki?

God bless you.

Here are the facts. In America:

Who runs the family? Mom.

Who decides when it's time to buy a big-ticket item? (Car, appliances, house.) The wife. (The husband makes sure it's structurally sound, and then takes off on what he considers makes it worth the price, but that doesn't happen until the wife says it's time.)

Who talks the man into the power plays? The wife. ("You know, you'd be better in that job than what's-his-name. You've got such-and-such experience, you can do blahblahblah better, and if you get that raise, we could afford that whatever you have been wanting." "You know, BillyBob borrowed your lawn mower last year and never returned it. Don't you think our lawn is looking shabby?" "The mayor isn't helping children in this town. If you were elected, we could have a playground on Whatever Street, which would really benefit our kids...blahblahblah." "You know, the governor of our state isn't helping kids. You're the mayor of an important town and you have the connections. Add to those, I'm the head of the PTA and blahblahblah, so I have connections. I bet we could run for governor." "You know, as the governor of such an important state, the President isn't....")

Seriously? Who do you think talked each President into running for that job? Who do you think guided them along the way? Who do you think talked each CEO into getting that job? We're no slouches! We know how to run stuff and we know how to motivate guys. We've been doing it ever since Abigail Adams said, "You know, John, those slaves really aren't merely property but they're being treated that way."

We may not have the titles, but we have the ears of the men with the titles, and we've been running their houses and families for years. We also guide them in important decisions. And we've been teaching our daughters how for years too.

We don't even need daughters to teach other women who wears the pants. (Still laughing at the last "pants" thread. I can't help it. lol)

I do get what a matriarchal society is. I was raised in one. I strongly suspect most English-speaking countries are matriarchal too.
 
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Women are NOT allowed to preach, Scripture is very clear about that (let no liberal contextualized interpretation confuse you). Apart from that I'm no fan of women preaching; they usually don't concentrate on the Word, but focus on human feelings, poems, stories about refugees and little bunny rabbits and such so no thanks.
LOL You don't know me so well do you? LOL

I can preach. I have spent my entire life trying to think out stuff as logically as men. I like rabbits, because they're cute, fluffy, and bite to bleed or kill. They're also delicious! (My stories also have the jab of biting bunnies.
)

I simply won't preach to men, because I do not have authority over men. I cannot tell a man what to do. Well, I can, but God says not to, so I won't.

But I also wouldn't generalize men in the sappy way you just generalized women either. However, I have heard enough sermons to be able to say the same thing about men preachers -- the reason I walked out of those churches.
 
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Not only was Deborah a judge, she was also a prophetess. This is not to mention Mariam and Hassada Essther.
BUT, they were NOT preachers/priests. To me, that's the line. Women can, and have, done many things in the name of the Lord and to further God's cause, but we are not to be his priests/preachers. That no more disqualifies us from service than men are disqualified because they cannot have babies.
 
Feb 9, 2010
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There is controversy associated with whether a woman is allowed to preach or not,and people should not let arrogance get in the way like the world,where men and women will fight for control,and fight in general for positions of authority.

1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1Co 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

The world has an authority structure,like business,government,school,and the such,so things get done smoothly,without complications,and people are not fighting over who is in charge,like that saying,too many chiefs,and not enough indians.

God also has an authority structure,so things go smoothly,and there is not fighting over who is in charge,not only in the Church,but also in the family unit,and that is why children obey their parents,and wives submit to their husbands.

But when the Bible says man is the head of the woman,and wives submit to the husbands,it is to be done according to the will of God,and not according to the man's agenda,and so that there is not fighting over who is in charge,and the family unit can run smoothly.

Since everything has to be done according to the will of God,and not the will of man,the man running the household,would be the same thing as the woman listening to God,because it is according to the will of God,and not man,so the man has nowhere to glory,or exalt himself.

But the world does not abide according to this,but the men in the world want to exalt themselves,saying we will do this,or do that,and do not talk back,and you do this,and that,and do not talk back,but I will not say all,but too many of them do that,although some to more extreme than others.But the men of the world do like to have some control over the woman according to their own will.

This is not according to the authority structure of God,but it is according to God's will.

Also the woman is the helper of the man and can assist,and give advice on things pertaining to what is right according to the family,and if the man is out of line,being in the Lord,she can tell him to stop his wrongful actions.

But if it is any comfort to women,Jesus said whoever is the greater,let him be the servant,as Christ,who is the greatest,is the servant,and since the man is the head of the woman,he is actually her servant,pertaining to the ways of God.

1Co 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Co 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1Co 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
1Co 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

But although God has an authority structure on earth,a man,and woman,are equal in the Lord,for there is no authority structure between a man,and a woman,in heaven.

Luk 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
Luk 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Luk 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

In heaven there is no authority structure between a man,and a woman,for the only thing that separates a man,and a woman,is the flesh,the spirit,and soul,are the same,and when they put off the flesh,in heaven they are equal,them not being a man,or woman,but a saint in a glorified body,which there is no distinction of the glorified body,but it is the same.

The only authority in heaven is Jesus,who is God.

Angels are last in the authority structure of God on earth,because while God loves the angels,but people are His pride,and joy,and all things were made for the man Christ Jesus,and the people that follow Him.

Angels are only ministering spirits to minister to them that shall inherit salvation,and the angels desire to look in to the salvation of the saints,and the saints will have a higher position in heaven,than that of the angels,for the saints will have a glorified body,and rule with Jesus on earth for 1000 years,a privilege the angels will never have.

God has to have an authority structure on earth,and it all has to be done according to the will of God,so there is no glorying on anybody's part,for it is not according to their will.

It would appear when people gather together that are saints,to hear the word of God,and to worship God,that it should be the man to head up this gathering,but the women can preach,and teach,those that are without the Lord,like Bible studies,children's groups,and all people are instructed by the Lord,to preach the Gospel.

So women can teach,and preach,to those that are without the Lord,and children,and such,but when the saints gather together to hear the word of God,and to worship,then it should be a man to head up the gathering,not because he is above the woman pertaining to the kingdom of God,but so that things run smoothly,without fighting,and controversy,where everybody,from children,to women,and men,know their place,like the military,or any other organization on earth,that has an authority structure.

God does not like strife,and even if there is strife between a believer,and a non believer,God said let it alone,and go your way.

God likes people to obey authority,which is another reason for the authority structure,which Christ is the head of the man,because an authority structure teaches people to humble themselves,and people that humble themselves before people,will most likely humble themselves before God.

The Bible says that children obeying their parents,is the first commandment with promise,because if children humble themselves before their parents,they are more likely to humble themselves before God,which the preacher has to humble himself not only before Christ,but before the bishop,and possibly elders,which the Bible says rebuke not an elder.

That is one of the problems the world is going astray,because the Bible says that in the last days children will be disobedient to parents,and the last generation before Jesus comes back,the children will be disobedient to parents,which that attitude will carry in the to their adulthood,and the world will slip more and more,towards the beast kingdom,that recognizes no personal God,but honors the God of forces,or the evolutionary process.

Pro 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
Pro 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Pro 30:13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
Pro 30:14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
 
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Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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Women are NOT allowed to preach, Scripture is very clear about that (let no liberal contextualized interpretation confuse you). Apart from that I'm no fan of women preaching; they usually don't concentrate on the Word, but focus on human feelings, poems, stories about refugees and little bunny rabbits and such so no thanks.
This is misogynistic generalization. I as a man find it offensive.

I would rather listen to a woman carefully exegete a passage of Scripture than listen to a narrow-minded, sexist man speak his opinion.
 
Dec 1, 2014
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Women are allowed to preach in church but playing music in church with an instrument is prohibited by law.
Tourist, you're my favorite chef. I love how you stir the pot. :p
 

angelpie

Senior Member
Jan 8, 2009
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Well to be honest I Think if a Women has studied & puts her whole heart into preaching, She should be a preacher or a pastor.
Spread Gods words, May God bless you.
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
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One thing to point out is that this really all evolved out of the sexual revolution and the feminist movement and with the rise of feminist theology.

BTW the feminist movement has done some great things for womens causes..but has it now become a snare????
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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What was Mariam? Deborah spoke the Word as given her by the Holy Spirit. What she did is part of the Word, that is Jesus Christ, as is all of the Bible. I am hard pressed to find the distinction....Barak was instructed by God through Deborah.

BUT, they were NOT preachers/priests. To me, that's the line. Women can, and have, done many things in the name of the Lord and to further God's cause, but we are not to be his priests/preachers. That no more disqualifies us from service than men are disqualified because they cannot have babies.
 
Dec 1, 2014
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but has it now become a snare????
It most certainly is a snare here in the Northeastern USA. As I was going through the ordination process, I refused to bow down to the feminist thought police who demand that God be referred to as she, her and mother. Because of this I was not ordained so I am unable to pastor a congregation but instead work in hospice which doesn't adhere to such stupidity. That said however, I fully support women who are called by God to be preachers of the True Word.
 

20

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Dec 15, 2015
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We don't have anybody in this world to sty without obeying.ICorinthians11;3 But I would have you know,that the head of every men is Christ;and the head of women is the man;and the head of Christ is God.;We have many verses in Bible about this topic.How Christ must obey God.How husband must obey Christ. How women must obey husband.According this, we have different duties and different restrictions.Don't point you finger on laddies only.They daughters of God, same like we are.They first witnesses of Jesus resurrection Matthew28;5-6 And the angel answered and said into women,fear not yet;for I know you seek Jesus,which was crucified.He is not here;for He is risen,as he said.Come, see the place where the Lord lay.;They brought good news to disciples about Jesus resurrection. Luke24;9-10And returned from the sepulchre,and told all these thing unto the eleven,and to all the rest.Its was Mary Magdalene,and Joanna ,and Mary the mother of James ,and other women that were with them,which told these things into apostles.They didn't preach or teach.;Samaritan women spread good news about Jesus in her hometown.She didn't preach or teach too.John4;28-30The women then left her waterpot,and went her way into the city and saith to the men,Come and see man,which told me all things that ever I did;is not this a Jesus?;They can became prophetess Luke2;36And there was one Anna, a prophetess,the daughter of Phanuel,of the tribe of Aser;she was a great age,and had live with husband seven years from virginity;They can prophesy.Its different from preaching and teaching.1Corinthians11;5But every women that prayed or prophesied with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head...;They must show good works1Timothy2;10But (which became women professing godliness) with good works.; That reason, why you can find many of our sisters in public places, they talk about Jesus to another people.Many of them became missionaries.They just spread good news about Him.They do everything in His way,not in their own way,just do it to obey Word of God first.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
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If a woman wants to preach, let her preach. There's nothing stopping a woman or a man to preach the gospel on a street corner. Scripture is not allowing her to be a pastor over a congregation, that's all.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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This is not a put down of women or men, but if God can use what is not to bring to nothing what is, and when I think of it, when He has used the likes of me for a few tasks in my stint in this age, women not only should be allowed to preach when led by the Holy Spirit, it is their due. God bless all who preach.........all, amen.
 
Dec 19, 2009
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I just received the question from one of my friends, What is the best explanation to this?

1Ti 2:11-14
(11) Women should listen and learn quietly and submissively.
(12) I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly.
(13) For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve.
(14) And it was the woman, not Adam, who was deceived by Satan, and sin was the result.

Is there a mixup of the Jewish culture and christianity?
I've got no more problems with women preachers than I have with men preachers.
 

DP

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Sep 27, 2015
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The idea Apostle Paul taught was actually not against women preaching The Gospel, but not allowing them to be heads over the Church.

1 Tim 2:12-15
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
KJV

Paul was abiding by God's order of creation for the man and the woman.

If women are against God's ordained order in that, then they need to take it up with Him. Either we accept God's Authority, or we don't.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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The idea Apostle Paul taught was actually not against women preaching The Gospel, but not allowing them to be heads over the Church.

1 Tim 2:12-15
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
KJV

Paul was abiding by God's order of creation for the man and the woman.

If women are against God's ordained order in that, then they need to take it up with Him. Either we accept God's Authority, or we don't.

By this same reasoning, humans are subject to animals, and animals to plants, according to the "order of creation". Is that what you are proposing?

Without a proper understanding of the context into which Paul was speaking, v. 13 is a non-sequitur to v. 12, as v. 15 is to v. 14. Logically, they do not follow.

"Usurp authority" is one possible translation of "authentein"; there are many, as Angela noted in a previous post. It probably is not the best choice, according to the context.