Can women be Pastors?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Can women be Pastors?

  • Yes

  • No


Results are only viewable after voting.
K

KnowMe

Guest
#41
I think it's for the human race.
Yup
1 peter 2
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,491
13,797
113
#42
The order of the priesthood was always male and never any females. The church is a new order of the priesthood but again never headed by a female. This will never stop some from usurping the authority and others from following but it is a path that one takes on their own and God is not walking that path.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
Pastors are not priests, despite what the Catholic entity would like you to believe. We have one priest: Jesus Christ.

"Usurping authority" is a bad translation of authentein that ignores the cultural context into which Paul was writing.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#43
Pastors are not priests, despite what the Catholic entity would like you to believe. We have one priest: Jesus Christ.

"Usurping authority" is a bad translation of authentein that ignores the cultural context into which Paul was writing.
We are all believer priests in Christ.

1 Peter2:5 & 9

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,491
13,797
113
#44
The order of the priesthood was always male and never any females. The church is a new order of the priesthood but again never headed by a female. This will never stop some from usurping the authority and others from following but it is a path that one takes on their own and God is not walking that path.
We are all believer priests in Christ.

1 Peter2:5 & 9
You just contradicted yourself. Earlier you argued that women cannot be priests. Now everyone is a priest.

So, which is it? Either women who are believers in Christ are priests with the same role and authority as male believers in Christ and therefore able to function as pastors, or females who are believers in Christ are not priests and therefore unable to function as pastors.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#45
Theres nothing in scripture I can find that gives any reason women cant be pastors.
But its like saying can women be doctors. Or actors. Or engineers. Theres nothing that can stop women if they are truly called by God to do this. They might not get the full support of other men...but look Esther became queen for 'such a time as this', deborah was a judge, Huldah a prophetess...

Paul didnt want women to teach, but then goes on to contradict this in other letters he wrote where he did write older women were to teach younger women. I think it comes down to the issue of women teaching men. Which is maybe slightly different than pastoring. Teaching is teaching doctrine etc but pastoring isnt that constantly looking after the sheeps wellbeing. They did have husband and wives teams in the NT like aquila and priscilla. And the bishops had to have one wife, as did the deacons they werent to pastor on their own. So even though Paul was single, many of the ministers were husband and wife teams.

It does say that God gives some prophets, some evangelists, some teachers and some pastors, so it could mean different roles or maybe even overlapping roles. Wouldnt you say all mothers are actually pastors anyway as they actively look after their children and feed them etc. some look after more than just their own.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#46
You just contradicted yourself. Earlier you argued that women cannot be priests. Now everyone is a priest.

So, which is it? Either women who are believers in Christ are priests with the same role and authority as male believers in Christ and therefore able to function as pastors, or females who are believers in Christ are not priests and therefore unable to function as pastors.
God has designated the man to be the head of the household and lead in the church. Not all have the same authority within the church nor in the family unit.

The Methodist church has embraced women in their pastorates. That church is now declining into chaos. You can go there but God does not go there with you.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,491
13,797
113
#47
God has designated the man to be the head of the household and lead in the church. Not all have the same authority within the church nor in the family unit.

The Methodist church has embraced women in their pastorates. That church is now declining into chaos. You can go there but God does not go there with you.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
This is circular reasoning, and you haven't responded to my post. All you've done is dodge it.
 

Didymous

Senior Member
Feb 22, 2018
5,047
2,101
113
#48
Even so, the woman would do well to follow where she is led by the Holy Spirit. That is true for anyone, whether male or female.
Yes, follow the Holy Spirit-which will always be confirmed by the word of God.
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,889
1,958
113
Germany
#49
Yep. If ya dont like it
Jump on a leg and bark like a dog
 

Melach

Well-known member
Mar 28, 2019
2,055
1,524
113
#50
Yep. If ya dont like it
Jump on a leg and bark like a dog
you just said that to st. paul. lest assured he wont bark. its someone else doing that
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#51
This is circular reasoning, and you haven't responded to my post. All you've done is dodge it.
You only want to argue from your personal perspective. You are going to follow that which pleases your ears and nothing is going to prevent you. Arguing is pointless and does not edify.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
5,096
932
113
#52
You were told initially that women can not preach, but now i tell you that also men can not preach.:cool:
Why? because the gifts ceased.
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
5,096
932
113
#53
1. The simple reason why women can not preach/teach is that the Spirit of God can not flow from a point of lower authority to a higher authority and since creation, the hierarchy had already been established, that men will have a higher authority than women spiritually speaking. The reason Paul goes way back to Adam and Eve to explain this hierarchy.

2. The complex reason (morally speaking) women can not preach the gospel is that words are spirit and the transfer of spirit from one person to the next requires the originator to die and free the spirit. Basically means, the originator lives through his words into his listeners. So the violent death that awaited the Gospel preachers means that it was not morally right to appoint women.

John 6:
61Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you?62 Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

63The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.64However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)

2 Cor 4:
12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13And in keeping with what is written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken,”c we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2 Pet 1:12Therefore, I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have. 13I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body, 14since I know that it will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.

Matt 20:
20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.
21“What do you want?” He inquired.
She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”
22You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?d
“We can,” the brothers answered.
23“You will indeed drink My cup,”e Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”

Luke 12:49 I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,491
13,797
113
#54
You only want to argue from your personal perspective. You are going to follow that which pleases your ears and nothing is going to prevent you. Arguing is pointless and does not edify.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
It's funny that you claim this, when I have given Scripture and reason, not personal perspective. I believe as I do because I am convinced from studying Scripture on the subject. Because it is not what you believe, and instead of focusing on the subject, you make personal attacks. How is that edifying?

I agree... much arguing is pointless. This is because people argue to vent their spleens, not to convince others of the soundness of their own position or demonstrate the flaws in another's position. I don't demean others, I don't pit on Ignore those with whom I disagree, and I don't disregard good points that others make.

I find that your method is to present your view and avoid actually processing any information or reasoning that contradicts it, as you have done here.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,491
13,797
113
#55
1. The simple reason why women can not preach/teach is that the Spirit of God can not flow from a point of lower authority to a higher authority and since creation, the hierarchy had already been established, that men will have a higher authority than women spiritually speaking. The reason Paul goes way back to Adam and Eve to explain this hierarchy.
That is not biblically based. Anyone in whom is the Spirit of God can speak the words of God. A child who has believed in Jesus Christ can preach with all authority. Gender is not the issue when it comes to preaching, and women are not inferior to men in the Kingdom of God. Paul was addressing a false teaching, not establishing a hierarchy.

2. The complex reason (morally speaking) women can not preach the gospel is that words are spirit and the transfer of spirit from one person to the next requires the originator to die and free the spirit. Basically means, the originator lives through his words into his listeners. So the violent death that awaited the Gospel preachers means that it was not morally right to appoint women.
These ideas have no basis whatsoever in Scripture.
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
5,096
932
113
#56
That is not biblically based. Anyone in whom is the Spirit of God can speak the words of God. A child who has believed in Jesus Christ can preach with all authority. Gender is not the issue when it comes to preaching, and women are not inferior to men in the Kingdom of God. Paul was addressing a false teaching, not establishing a hierarchy.
I don't think the bible is a spoon feed, it requires discernment.

1 Tim 2:11A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. 13For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.

The hierarchy is established and according the above passage, a woman teaching, men (and many other things not mentioned here) is exercising authority over a man against the set hierarchy. Likewise, the son can not teach the Father or the Father can not do the will of the son, it is the other way round.

And yes, the words are spirit (very scriptural). The preachers of the gospel had to die for the gospel to be effective.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,491
13,797
113
#57
I don't think the bible is a spoon feed, it requires discernment.
Agreed, so taking the plainest of face-value interpretations may not result in sound understanding.

1 Tim 2:11A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. 13For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.

The hierarchy is established and according the above passage, a woman teaching, men (and many other things not mentioned here) is exercising authority over a man against the set hierarchy. Likewise, the son can not teach the Father or the Father can not do the will of the son, it is the other way round.
Paul's point has nothing to do with hierarchy, as I've already stated. The context was false pagan teaching and people coming from those belief systems. Learn the context, and Paul's words will make perfect sense. Further, it is highly unlikely that the word "authentein" means "exercise authority"; there are other Greek words that Paul used elsewhere with that meaning.

And yes, the words are spirit (very scriptural). The preachers of the gospel had to die for the gospel to be effective.
Peter preached in Acts 2, resulting in the salvation of about 3000 people. He didn't have to die for the gospel to be effective. Paul preached to (likely) thousands of people, establishing the Church in Europe. He didn't have to die for the gospel to be effective. Billy Graham, Charles Finney, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, and many others have shared the gospel "effectively" without dying, as do preachers today. None of this has anything to do with women being pastors though.
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
5,096
932
113
#58
Paul's point has nothing to do with hierarchy, as I've already stated. The context was false pagan teaching and people coming from those belief systems. Learn the context, and Paul's words will make perfect sense. Further, it is highly unlikely that the word "authentein" means "exercise authority"; there are other Greek words that Paul used elsewhere with that meaning.
1. I'm not going to discuss Greek or any other language, 'certain' languages are not synonymous to truth.

2. Paul is writing to Timothy to give him guidance, the idea that Timothy was dealing with pagans who believed certain things about women leadership is neither here nor there, it has no basis.

3. Paul has repeated the same thing for many other congregations including Ephesians and Corinthians and his basis for saying that also goes back to Adam and Eve and the creation story. A woman submitting to a man is not a pagan thing, it is about authority - you submit to an authority.

4. The hierarchy is from the beginning and will never change.
Eve sinned but it will never be said that sin and therefore death came to the world through one woman, it came through one man who was an authority over that woman.

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

God created man in His image, not the woman. The woman came from the man- the reason that verse reads God created HIM:male and female. He created a man but in the man, there was a woman.

Gen 2:
23The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”

1 Corinthians 11:7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.

Peter preached in Acts 2, resulting in the salvation of about 3000 people. He didn't have to die for the gospel to be effective. Paul preached to (likely) thousands of people, establishing the Church in Europe. He didn't have to die for the gospel to be effective. Billy Graham, Charles Finney, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, and many others have shared the gospel "effectively" without dying, as do preachers today. None of this has anything to do with women being pastors though.
mmmh you are far from getting it.

Q1. Did Jesus preach and did He have to die?
Q2. Did Jesus promise His disciples the same baptism (death) that He was to undergo? why?

2 Cor 4:
10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal bodies. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13And in keeping with what is written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken,”c we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak, 14knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Paul says his death is for the benefit of his listeners as much as he had preached to them and they were saved, being raised and presented with his listeners is a critical part- it is the resurrection. It means, Paul lives on through his words that he got from Jesus and presented to his listeners. Non of those preachers you mentioned above has the right to say what Paul said in this verse.

Peter, likewise, said the same thing:

2 Pet 1:12Therefore, I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have. 13I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body, 14since I know that it will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.

As much as he had preached and they had been established in the word, setting aside the tent of his body was something that had to be done because he lives through his words into the believers (his listeners). Non of those preachers you mentioned above has the right to these claims.
 

lightbearer

Senior Member
Jun 17, 2017
2,375
504
113
58
HBG. Pa. USA
#59
Paul through Christ Bluntly states.
1Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

Hard to Pastor if you are not permitted to speak.

As also saith the Law. Hmm, whatever does Paul mean by that. 1 Timothy says...

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 1Tim 2:7

So an ordained Preacher and Apostle who LIES NOT goes on to say.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority ( to assume a stance of independent authority, give orders to, dictate to) over the man, but to be in silence (for it is not permitted unto them to speak). For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

So Women are not to teach nor tell a man what to do but to be in silence for it is not permitted for them to speak FOR THUS SAITH THE LAW, the Pentateuch. The section in which Paul who lies not but speaks the truth in Christ points to as the answer as to why women are not to teach or tell a man what to do. It DOES NOT SAY HIS REASON FOR SHARING THIS IN THE SPIRIT IS DUE TO PAGAN CUSTOMS OR SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES IN HIS TIME. HE WHOS SPEAKS THE TRUTH IN CHRIST AND LIES NOT STATES IN THE SPIRIT plainly, "For (because) Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."

For it is WRITTEN, a thus saith the LORD,
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
(Gen 3:16 KJV)

However in alluding to that same text, PAUL WHO LIES NOT BUT SPEAKS THE TRUTH IN CHRIST shares,"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."
1Tim 2:12-15
 

Didymous

Senior Member
Feb 22, 2018
5,047
2,101
113
#60
Paul through Christ Bluntly states.
1Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

Hard to Pastor if you are not permitted to speak.

As also saith the Law. Hmm, whatever does Paul mean by that. 1 Timothy says...

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 1Tim 2:7

So an ordained Preacher and Apostle who LIES NOT goes on to say.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority ( to assume a stance of independent authority, give orders to, dictate to) over the man, but to be in silence (for it is not permitted unto them to speak). For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

So Women are not to teach nor tell a man what to do but to be in silence for it is not permitted for them to speak FOR THUS SAITH THE LAW, the Pentateuch. The section in which Paul who lies not but speaks the truth in Christ points to as the answer as to why women are not to teach or tell a man what to do. It DOES NOT SAY HIS REASON FOR SHARING THIS IN THE SPIRIT IS DUE TO PAGAN CUSTOMS OR SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES IN HIS TIME. HE WHOS SPEAKS THE TRUTH IN CHRIST AND LIES NOT STATES IN THE SPIRIT plainly, "For (because) Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."

For it is WRITTEN, a thus saith the LORD,
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
(Gen 3:16 KJV)

However in alluding to that same text, PAUL WHO LIES NOT BUT SPEAKS THE TRUTH IN CHRIST shares,"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."
1Tim 2:12-15
I've always been taught that we can use the bible to interpret the bible. Some people, it seems, seem to think we need outside sources to understand the bible(usually 'theologians' from bible colleges or seminaries). These are also usually the people who end up saying the bible isn't inerrant, or other nonsense.