Blogogetics

1 Timothy 2:11-12 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.

Should a woman be allowed to be a deacon(ess) or an elder in a church?
I would say that it goes against scripture to allow deaconesses or women elders (pastors). While many women out there could clearly teach me a thing or two about God and scripture, that would go against the model of federal headship. Man is the head of the family…

1 Corinthians 11:3 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

Ephesians 5:22-24 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Why would a woman be allowed to, say, lead a children’s ministry, but not be an administrative pastor of a church?
The key to whether women can teach a children’s ministry is in that they are not teaching men but rather children. These children should still be getting spiritual instruction from their fathers and mothers but are not ready to study on their own. A woman is capable of giving instruction but must submit to God’s authority and instructions.

Titus 2:3-5 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored

Would you let a woman be a guest speaker and give a sermon?
This is more difficult because a woman could be a very valuable guest speaker, but is that acceptable. I guess it depends on the context of the situation; is it topical or is it preaching? Does that even matter? I would be uncomfortable to have a woman as a guest speaker or giving a sermon during the service but a separate arena may be preferable - a special “class” or speaking opportunity for example. I have to admit that this is a very slippery slope.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

This section follows discussion about speaking in tongues and prophesy and so it may be limited to that concept but I suspect that it may be addressing the issue at Corinth where women may not have been turning to their husbands for spiritual leadership. They may have been trying to circumvent their roles and seeking instruction from other men (not elders) or were even trying to teach other men. I may have tried to cover too many ideas for one post but I hope it makes sense. I’ll respond to any clarifications you have or to expand on these ideas if needed.

When posting arguments for or against, please quote scripture. You can find online bible translations at Bible Gateway. Please understand that I have the utmost respect for Godly women and have no doubt they are very capable of teaching/preaching in the church. It’s just that I understand the scriptures to be God-breathed and true in their entirety. I also understand the scriptures to say that women are not to teach or preach in the church. It never says can’t or incapable of teaching.

Finally, what does this mean in regards to evangelism? Are women not to evangelize? Are they not to share the gospel? I don’t think this is the case. Maybe the instructions from God only applied to the church environment. This may allow for outside studies, books, seminars, children’s ministry, etc.

This was originally posted on archshrk.com. You can read the comments and my responses there.

Tags: our roles by Luke Shiras
1 Comment »

A while back, you may recall that the Vatican announced several new sins. But it seems to me, there’s no such thing as new sins. In fact, there are basically three types of sin which manifest themselves in various forms.

What is…sin’s essence? Playing God…acting as if you, and your pleasure, were the end to which all things, God included, must be made to function as a means. - J.I. Packer

Avah - often translated “iniquity” means to be twisted out of shape. (Ps 51:2). Tim Keller described it this way; Just as a when a bone is dislocated from it’s socket it causes great pain and damage, so a heart not centered on God is filled with deeply distorted beliefs. If you are out of alignment with God’s will, then you most likely aren’t even aware of your sin. Avah violates God’s design.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures…hated and hating. (Titus 3:3)

Chatha - often translated “sin” means to miss the mark or target. But it’s more than missing the target, it’s to fall short so completely. Like throwing a rock at the moon will “fall short” so too our own efforts to live as God wants fall short. “Sin” is the failure to live as God wants, in peaceful harmony with Him, others and the world. If we fail to understand this, we risk becoming legalistic, thinking that we can be sin-less by not violating the “rules”. Chatha violates God’s peace.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23)

Pasha - often translated “transgression” means to willfully rebel against someone to whom you owe allegiance. (Ps 51:1, Isa 1:2). Our disobedience to God is a deliberate substitution of our will for His. Pasha violates God’s authority.

For though they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks…they exchanged the glory of the immortal God and worshiped and served created things rather than the creator (Rom 1:21-25)

Avah shows us how deep our sin is and Chatha shows us how high God’s standards are, but Pasha shows us how we are still responsible for our sin and that we must still strive to meet God’s expectations for us. And even though we can’t achieve perfection, we can be sanctified through the effort. Repentance and God’s grace make it possible for us to grow in Christ, thus not dwelling in our misery and sin.

Tags: sin by Luke Shiras
No Comments »

Christian apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of Christianity. The term “apologetic” comes from the Greek word apologia, which means in defense of; therefore a person involved in Christian or Bible Apologetics is a defender of Christianity. Someone who engages in Christian apologetics is called a “Christian apologist”. Christian apologetics have taken many forms over the centuries, starting with Paul of Tarsus, including renowned writers such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, and continuing today with the modern Christian community through authors such as Karl Keating and Jimmy Akin. Apologists have based their defense of Christianity on favoring interpretations of historical evidence, philosophical arguments, scientific investigation, and other avenues.

This Classical Greek term appears in the Koine (i.e. common) Greek of the New Testament. The apostle Paul employed the term “apologia” in his trial speech to Festus and Agrippa when he said, “I make my defense” (Acts 26:2). In the English language, the word apology, derived from the Greek word “apologia”, usually refers to asking for forgiveness for an action that is open to blame. Christian apologetics are meant, however, to argue that Christianity is reasonable and in accordance with the evidence that can be examined, analogous to the use of the term in the Apology of Socrates, written by Plato.

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15).

Tags: General Info by Luke Shiras
1 Comment »