Note this headline: Tennessee Church Puts Woman In Pulpit, Provokes Reactions — Franklin, TN - Fourth Avenue Church of Christ. (find at brotherhood news online, 2014).
What I am about to say in this article is nothing more than any sound-in-doctrine preacher would say and there are a number of gospel preachers who could say this as well as I (or better). This article is with reference primarily to public preaching and teaching done to/in the church, where both males and females are present.
We are to abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9-11; Acts 2:42). Let us not kid ourselves, this unscriptural practice of a female being put into the pulpit began by allowing small steps. A commonly heard uninspired but true proverb is, "If the camel once gets his nose in the tent, his body will soon follow."* The Holy Spirit warned, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (Galatians 5:9).
Sadly, but typically, when one dares to speak out on this issue, some will immediately accuse one of being a woman hater, and then the character assassination of the messenger begins. For want of a nail this may involve seeking to ensnare with some debating trick such as putting words in the messenger’s mouth. However, opponents should spend that energy searching the Scriptures in order to make their argument. If they can't make the argument, repent.
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:11).
Take another look at this headline above and ask -- Is this where we want the Lord's church to end up? God's Word still teaches, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" -- 1 Timothy 2:11-12. If women preaching to males is unauthorized in the pulpit, it is unauthorized in public settings where males are present. If not, why not? The principle, brethren! Implication, brethren.
THE REALM OF PUBLIC TEACHING
Adult Bible Class
Is it possible for a female saint to "usurp authority over the man" in such a setting as the adult Bible class (where males are also present)? If so, just what behavior would she have to exhibit in order to be described as having violated this principle of usurping authority over the man as described in 1 Timothy 2?
While a female may humbly answer a Bible question in a public setting when asked by the adult male Bible class teacher, and thereby incidentally teach by her answer an ignorant male who was present -- this does not open the door to an approved violation of the principle of 1 Timothy 2:11-12, whereby she is allowed to fill the pulpit. It does not allow her to thereby become the co-teacher in the adult Bible class or THE teacher of the same.
Note the difference: When a woman by disposition/body-language/voice intonation and content positions herself to lecture the gathered males about a Biblical subject, she is in violation of these passages just as much as the female who took to the pulpit in Franklin, TN.
Preachers have joked through the years of the female who preaches from the pew. She can't see herself, but everybody else can. When she is allowed repeatedly to get by with such behavior, she rightfully earns the title of she-elder. This is not a good term. This is common where a female stubbornly refuses to keep her place (as men must keep their place), and is not inclined toward the women's role God has assigned her and where the elders/men allow such to repeatedly take place.
"For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety" (1 Timothy 2:13-15). See the line of authority here: "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God" (1 Cor. 11:3).
Confessing Christ
Responding to the invitation a female who confesses Christ as The Son of God prior to her baptism may incidentally (and scripturally) contribute to teaching an ignorant male in attendance of that fact -- this does not open the door authorizing an approved violation of the principle of 1 Timothy 2:11-12, whereby she is allowed to fill the pulpit. Neither would it allow her to be the person prompting the confession (usually the preacher) where the men of the congregation are present. Why? Because 1 Timothy 3:1, 8 & 1 Timothy 2:8 set forth that men are to lead the church and this includes in public worship.
Congregational Singing
When a female participates in scriptural, vocal, congregational singing she is scripturally involved in teaching and admonishing -- this does not open the door to an approved violation of the principle of 1 Timothy 2:11-12, whereby she is allowed to fill the pulpit. Neither does this allow her to be the song-leader of males. Why? Because 1 Timothy 3:1, 8 & 1 Timothy 2:8 set forth that men are to lead the church and this includes in public worship.
The Lord's Supper
A female member of the church may participate with the congregation in passing the emblems during the Lord's Supper, as she sits in the pew (like the rest of the congregation where males are present, -- culturally in the USA the congregation remains in a sitting position), but this does not allow her to preside over the Lord's Supper in its distribution nor take the place of the men who distribute the emblems. Why? Because 1 Timothy 3:1, 8 & 1 Timothy 2:8 set forth that men are to lead the church and this includes in public worship.
I, among others, spoke out about this at the time of first reading the report of the Franklin, TN, incident. Let's do only what is authorized by the New Testament. Anything else is but a slippery slope toward Hell. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences" (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).
* Camel's nose reference found at Wikipedia under: camel's nose
_______________________________________________________________
* The author is pleased to share this article. This article may be freely distributed as long as 1) there is no cost to others, 2) no changes are made to any part of the content, 3) is distributed in full, 4) author's name remains attached to the article, and 5) this web location from which the article was taken is noted.
What I am about to say in this article is nothing more than any sound-in-doctrine preacher would say and there are a number of gospel preachers who could say this as well as I (or better). This article is with reference primarily to public preaching and teaching done to/in the church, where both males and females are present.
We are to abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9-11; Acts 2:42). Let us not kid ourselves, this unscriptural practice of a female being put into the pulpit began by allowing small steps. A commonly heard uninspired but true proverb is, "If the camel once gets his nose in the tent, his body will soon follow."* The Holy Spirit warned, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (Galatians 5:9).
Sadly, but typically, when one dares to speak out on this issue, some will immediately accuse one of being a woman hater, and then the character assassination of the messenger begins. For want of a nail this may involve seeking to ensnare with some debating trick such as putting words in the messenger’s mouth. However, opponents should spend that energy searching the Scriptures in order to make their argument. If they can't make the argument, repent.
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:11).
Take another look at this headline above and ask -- Is this where we want the Lord's church to end up? God's Word still teaches, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" -- 1 Timothy 2:11-12. If women preaching to males is unauthorized in the pulpit, it is unauthorized in public settings where males are present. If not, why not? The principle, brethren! Implication, brethren.
THE REALM OF PUBLIC TEACHING
Adult Bible Class
Is it possible for a female saint to "usurp authority over the man" in such a setting as the adult Bible class (where males are also present)? If so, just what behavior would she have to exhibit in order to be described as having violated this principle of usurping authority over the man as described in 1 Timothy 2?
While a female may humbly answer a Bible question in a public setting when asked by the adult male Bible class teacher, and thereby incidentally teach by her answer an ignorant male who was present -- this does not open the door to an approved violation of the principle of 1 Timothy 2:11-12, whereby she is allowed to fill the pulpit. It does not allow her to thereby become the co-teacher in the adult Bible class or THE teacher of the same.
Note the difference: When a woman by disposition/body-language/voice intonation and content positions herself to lecture the gathered males about a Biblical subject, she is in violation of these passages just as much as the female who took to the pulpit in Franklin, TN.
Preachers have joked through the years of the female who preaches from the pew. She can't see herself, but everybody else can. When she is allowed repeatedly to get by with such behavior, she rightfully earns the title of she-elder. This is not a good term. This is common where a female stubbornly refuses to keep her place (as men must keep their place), and is not inclined toward the women's role God has assigned her and where the elders/men allow such to repeatedly take place.
"For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety" (1 Timothy 2:13-15). See the line of authority here: "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God" (1 Cor. 11:3).
Confessing Christ
Responding to the invitation a female who confesses Christ as The Son of God prior to her baptism may incidentally (and scripturally) contribute to teaching an ignorant male in attendance of that fact -- this does not open the door authorizing an approved violation of the principle of 1 Timothy 2:11-12, whereby she is allowed to fill the pulpit. Neither would it allow her to be the person prompting the confession (usually the preacher) where the men of the congregation are present. Why? Because 1 Timothy 3:1, 8 & 1 Timothy 2:8 set forth that men are to lead the church and this includes in public worship.
Congregational Singing
When a female participates in scriptural, vocal, congregational singing she is scripturally involved in teaching and admonishing -- this does not open the door to an approved violation of the principle of 1 Timothy 2:11-12, whereby she is allowed to fill the pulpit. Neither does this allow her to be the song-leader of males. Why? Because 1 Timothy 3:1, 8 & 1 Timothy 2:8 set forth that men are to lead the church and this includes in public worship.
The Lord's Supper
A female member of the church may participate with the congregation in passing the emblems during the Lord's Supper, as she sits in the pew (like the rest of the congregation where males are present, -- culturally in the USA the congregation remains in a sitting position), but this does not allow her to preside over the Lord's Supper in its distribution nor take the place of the men who distribute the emblems. Why? Because 1 Timothy 3:1, 8 & 1 Timothy 2:8 set forth that men are to lead the church and this includes in public worship.
I, among others, spoke out about this at the time of first reading the report of the Franklin, TN, incident. Let's do only what is authorized by the New Testament. Anything else is but a slippery slope toward Hell. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences" (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).
* Camel's nose reference found at Wikipedia under: camel's nose
_______________________________________________________________
* The author is pleased to share this article. This article may be freely distributed as long as 1) there is no cost to others, 2) no changes are made to any part of the content, 3) is distributed in full, 4) author's name remains attached to the article, and 5) this web location from which the article was taken is noted.
