Should women preach in the Church?

I read an article that appeared in The Christian Chronicle, which is a publication of the Churches of Christ on the matter of women preaching from the pulpit. This is really an old issue that has been debated for decades, among this fundamentalist religious organization as well as others, and the verdict is a resounding, “The New Testament does not authorize women to be preachers.” This position extends beyond standing in front of a lectern and delivering the homily, but praying/benediction, Scripture reading, participation in the Eucharist, administering the baptismal rite, collecting tithes/freewill offerings, or any other activity in the presence of congregants which includes men or teenage males past the adolescent stage. The study that I will provide is to delve a little deeper into the biblical texts under consideration to help determine, if possible, what prevailing attitude might have influenced the way over one half of the world’s population and an ever higher percentage of the faithful who make up the spiritual body of Christ are regarded.

Since the apostle Paul is quoted for establishing the rule governing a woman’s role in church government or administration, let’s take a look at his perspective on women in general, as in the following:

1Timothy 2: 13-15a

Adam was formed first, then Eve. Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing. . . [what-really??]

NOTE: So, what was Adam’s excuse? I have heard preachers say Adam listened to his wife’s voice instead of God’s and that is why we are in the mess we are today. In other words, if Eve would have just kept her big mouth shut [be silent and in subjection to Adam], then. . .

-Continuing on:

1Timothy 2: 11

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission [to her head/husband]. I do not permit a woman to teach, or to have authority over the man; she must be silent

NOTE: Does the mere fact that when women deliver a word of encouragement or preach/teach in the congregation or assemblies of saints, this action in some way undermine the authority of the men? By the way, it should be noted that he does not say this was a command.

1 Corinthians 14: 34b-35

As in all the congregations of the saints, women should [must??] remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak [at all??], but must be in submission, as the law [Torah??] says, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

NOTE: A couple of things. First, I have not found anything in the Law of Moses that says such a thing. Secondly, the apostle Paul is the main one teaching that believers in Christ Jesus are not under the law, so why is he using that rule or principle; even it could be found?

Keeping the above Scripture in mind, let’s look at another, like this one:

1 Corinthians 11: 5, 16

And every woman who prays or prophesies [presumably in the church] with her head covered dishonors her head [“the man” Cp. verse 3b]- it is as though her head were shaved. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice [of this sort??]- nor do the churches of God [in Christ].

NOTE: If the apostle is giving instructions regarding praying or prophesying (in the church), then it stands to reason that “being silent” or “in subjection” doesn’t apply to the exercise of a spiritual gift- so why would preaching or teaching be any different?

There’s more:

1 Corinthians 12: 1, 4, 7, 27
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers [I would think sisters, too], I do not want you to be ignorant. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. Now to each one the manifestation [anointing/gifting] of the Spirit is given for the common good. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one [not some] of you are a part of it.

Now, taking a look at the Apostle Paul’s background:

Galatians 1: 13a, 14a

For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism. I was advancing in Judaism far beyond Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Philippians 3: 4b

If anyone else thinks he has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more- circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law [Torah] a Pharisee (Cp. Acts 23: 6).

Wrapping this up, then, it is curious that the apostle Paul wrote in Galatians3: 28, “There is either Jew or Greek, slave nor free, male or female; for you are all “one” in Christ Jesus. In Romans 16: 3a, 5 it reads: Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. Greet also the church that meets in their house. It is rather doubtful that Aquila would have agreed to a subservient role to her husband, and in point-of-fact they might have actually been the modern equivalent of co-Pastors of their congregation (esp. Cp. Acts 18: 24-26). I

It is doubtful that Eudoias and Syntyche (Cp. Philippians 4: 2) were ‘silent’ and not having had some type of disagreements in the presence of mixed company [the brothers in the church]. In Acts 21: 8-9 the Evangelist Philip had four daughters who prophesied, and it is very unlikely that they did not exercise this gift in a public manner at the church in Caesarea; and probably in mixed company with their father’s blessing. Besides all this, are “only” men to lift up holy hands in prayer and not the women (Cp. 1 Timothy 2: 8)? While this study may not dissuade anyone from their particular POV in this matter and it is not intended to. I am just offering this information that will hopefully encourage further investigation, if needed. As in anything, it is up to the reader to determine the truth for themselves, and as a final thought, 1 Thessalonians 5: 21- Prove all things, hold fast to that what is good.

 

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St Apt 701
Tacoma, WA 98402
May 26, 2016
robertrandle51@yahoo.com