Hello,
I've seen the debate over whether or not women can be pastors/lead in the church many times, and have gone through many Bible studies in which this is discussed and examined. I also grew up in a church that did NOT believe women could hold positions of authority, unless it was as a deaconess to younger women in the church.
This is NOT meant to be a debate over whether women can be pastors at all.
Rather, I once read a post that addressed something that really sparked my interest, seeing as I grew up in Christian schools.
* If women are not allowed to speak or be leaders/teachers in the church, why are women relied on to teach Sunday School, vacation Bible school, and in Christian schools and colleges (such as what I grew up in)?
* Why do many of these tasks (geared toward children and young adults) seem to automatically be deligated as "women's work"? And yet, I would guess most parents in the churches I grew up in would not bring their kids to Sunday School if the entire Sunday School staff was all men.
I am certainly NOT saying ANYTHING against men who work in ministries that serve children--I'm just saying that when I've asked some parents how they would feel about dropping their kids off with an all-male Sunday School/children/teen church staff, they're don't seem to be entirely comfortable with the idea. But maybe this is only in the churches I've been in?
I have to wonder why it's so often thought that it's perfectly fine (even expected, and a spiritual duty) for women to teach and lead children, and young adults, but not full-grown adults? (I don't meant this as a debate or a criticism, but as an honest question.)
* Does that mean that once her students turn 18 (or 21, or whatever age is defined as being an "adult"), any spiritual leadership and authority she had over them the day before their "adulthood" birthday is now null and void, and does a male studen now automatically have spiritual authority over her, even if she's twice his age?
* If so, why are women allowed to teach at Christian colleges?
* And if a woman loses any spiritual authority over a man when he comes of age, what is being taught in churches to reinforce this? Are young men told that they now have spiritual leadership and authority over the women in the church once they turn that age?
* Will the men of the church tell their wives that they must follow and submit to the spiritual lead of any 18-year-old (or whatever the age of adulthood is seen as) on the ministry staff?
* Why is this topic never addressed whenever it's said that women can't hold positions of spiritual leadership in the church?
I would really like to see this discussed, as it always seemed to be glossed over.
Is a woman allowed to teach your male child/relative, but does he then have spiritual authority over her in the church once he becomes an adult?
Spiritual authority over her? No such thing. We do not have spiritual authority over no one to begin with. No even our own selves.
I would say the affect of the first century reformation would still seem it were not applied . Prior men and woman together were not allowed to be part of the ceremonies .The new government brought woman into a place equal with men. No lording it over. Like the work place in the 60's divorce rates sky rocketed destroying the atmosphere . (not a place for dating or getting the scoop .)
If woman cannot preach the gospel in a ceremonial setting than neither can men .It is not about playing church but is about getting the gospel out . The government has ben restored to a time period when there were Judges .(no outward representation as with King's) .
Deborah was used mightily to bring the gospel. Just as there are Deborah's today so are their men like Barak who have not been given the strength to go it alone .
Judges 4:8-10 King James Version (KJV) And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
God is not respecter of persons as if he was served by human hands (male or female) . he used Balaam's Ass to bring the gospel. .it successfully prevented the madness of that false prophet.
Women are saved from not teaching males about relationship matters in childbirth. At home they have the responsibility as a gift of God to teach boys to become men .If they do not learn from their mothers they will get an extension in their wives. Same with daughters learning from their fathers .They can get an extension in their husbands. In that way you could say its not a mater of flesh and blood.
Jesus made it clear that position is after no n man to include Himself . If woman cannot plant the incorruptible seed than neither could man .
Even Jesus when called good master (Rabbi teacher he )gave glory to the father unseen . In that way we are to call no person man or woman teacher on earth in the same way we are to call no man father on earth, one is our teaching father in heaven. Jesus learned from the father in the same way as us. one commandment at a time.
The teaching had to do with male female relationship difficulties . Wife should ask there own husband at home. Previously in the time period of Kings before the reformation woman were isolated for participating in the ceremonial laws used as shadows and that period time that was used a parable came to a end. The government was restored to a previous order. where woman like Deborah (Bee) have a q equal part in getting the gospel into the world . And it does mean during ceremonies it does nor apply . So then it what is being taught. If it is the gospel the ant one can plant the seed..
Acts 2:15-17 King James Version (KJV) For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
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