What was a "prophetess"?
A prophetess was one through whom God spoke. But this has nothing to do with holding an office in the assembly.
What about Christian or spiritual books written by Christian women. Should I not read a book on spiritual topics if it's written by a woman?
Older Christian women should be teaching younger women, and then only those things that relate to what God commands of women. That does not all have to be "religious." There is a lot of practical teaching that godly older Christian woman can teach to the younger and less experienced. Here is what the Lord said thru the Apostle Paul:
1 Timothy 2:8-15
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,
10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
Titus 2:1-5
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
So, here is the nuts and bolts of it:
1. Women are to act and dress very modestly, not wearing clothing jewelry, or anything that is not "modest." Modesty does not ONLY means covering up the private and semi-private parts. It also means "plain" -- the opposite of glamorous, bold, attention seeking, expensive, etc.
2. She is to adorn herself with "good works." That is not defined as preaching, or writing books, or being the star of the show, or a celebrity. It is being a servant to other individuals, particularly those within her own assembly, those who have a need.
3. She is not allowed to teach in mixed company, the reasons are as follows (all being theological not cultural)
a. God created Adam to be the leader, teacher, provider, and protector of his family, and Eve was created to be his "helper" to do all she can do to make his job easier.
b. The curse put on women included two things: pain in childbirth as a REMINDER that her husband must rule over her. (This is because her sin was that she blatantly acted against what Adam had told her that God required of them both, circumventing his God-given authority and role). So, you can ask Joyce Meyer if she had any pain during childbirth (or had to take medication to help ease the pain), and if she did, then she is under this curse which required her to be obedient to her husband in all things. And according to Paul, her not being allowed to teach in mixed company stems from this as well.
4. Women do have a role to play in teaching their children. But when they become "empty-nesters" they are to graduate to teaching adult Christian women. And the thing they are to teach is what they have themselves been practicing and have become proficient at -- how to successfully raise a family, honor and take care of her husband and, how to make her home and household prosper . IN other words, she should already be an expert at this, and already have a good track-record and reputation among the assembly as having lived out these things in her home life successfully. The thrust of her teaching is not theology, except as it relates to the above.
So, if you want to read Joyce Meyer or any other similar teacher, just brace yourself for being deceived by her. When Eve decided to go beyond the boundaries God established for women, Satan was very eager to to seize the opportunity to exploit her. And it is no different today. That does not mean she is not a good teacher, or might not have some good solid teachings. But if her LIFE does not reflect these things, she is disobedient to the Word, which negates anything good she might have to say.
Women were not allowed to hold any office in the assembly that involved teaching men or exercising any kind of authority over the men, (which would place her over her own husband in the assembly). However, the NT supports the role of woman serving in the office of "Deaconess," the female version of "Deacons."
Phoebe was a deaconess, as is plainly stated in Romans 16:1-2 (says she was a “servant” in a church – G1249 in Strong’s Greek Dictionary - attendant, servant or deaconess), which actually uses the Greek word "Deaconess." That this was an official office is clear by the clause, "of the assembly in Cenchrea."
Deaconesses were given responsibilities of assisting the female members, including counseling, etc., especially in things where male leadership would not be appropriate, such as one-on one instruction. And like Phoebe, some Godly women held enormous responsibilities regarding finances of the assembly. In this passage, she was sent from her home assembly to another assembly on "business." She was therefore no doubt the "treasurer" of that assembly, and could conduct finances in their name.
2
1
