I'm Back!

First and foremost: GOD IS GOOD!!! I'm done with my midterms, and I think I did - okay! (Which is much better than I thought I was going to do, that's for sure!) So, praise God for that!

Secondly, I'd like to touch (more like pounce, actually) on the subject of women in ministry again. Sometime last week, my head pastor's wife (our fine arts pastor, my "spiritual mom") sent me and a couple of her other "spiritual daughters" an article that she wrote on behalf of her son who was being picked on in school for having a "mom who is a pastor". (This "bully" was trying to tell S that his mom was out of God's will and going against His purpose (according to scriptures) by being a pastor.) So Pastor's Wife got to work and put the following article together arguing women and authority in the church. Now, keeping in mind all of the fuss here in "blogland" lately about this very issue, the fact that this has been a hot topic for us in my class at school, and that my friends and even my roommate and I have been talking quite a bit about this, let's take a moment and reflect on just how truly amazing God and His timing truly are...

AND! Without further adieu, I give you:

Women and Ministry

Throughout much of our world, women have a restricted role in society, in the home, in business and enterprise, and sadly, even in the church. Prejudiced views have long justified the abuse, oppression, and restriction of women. Many Christians believe that the Bible itself limits the possibilities of leadership for women in the church. Since the accomplishment and fulfillment of the divine destiny of our lives is often determined by what we believe, it is of utmost importance that this matter of women and ministry be studied.

We will first look at the overall picture of Scripture before addressing specific passages. When we put together a puzzle with many pieces, we always start with those that form the outline. We start with the corners, then the framework that connects to those corners, and then work inward to the more difficult pieces. As we continue to work, we begin to see the picture come together. This process helps us to see where the difficult pieces fit, and also helps us to avoid wrongfully forcing pieces into places that they don’t belong (which would ultimately distort the true picture and damage the pieces). Finally the full `1picture comes together. Scripture is the same way. We start out with the framework of our Father God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We add to the framework patterns of how God dealt with His people, how Jesus came and treated those He lived among, how the Holy Spirit worked in the early church and how the prophets and apostles addressed the difficulties they faced . We then add the doctrines that are plainly spelled out in the Word (faith, repentance, baptism, etc.). Then we progress to issues that pose more of a problem or are hard to comprehend. Anything that seems unclear must be held up against the light of those things that are clearly discernable. Ultimately the whole picture comes together within a framework that makes things more easily understood to form a clearer, more beautiful picture.

Both the Old and New Testament, assert that God is no respecter of persons (God is not prejudiced.). Romans 2:11 clearly states “For there is no respect of persons with God.” (see also II Samuel 14:14; II Chronicles 19:7; Acts 10:34; Ephesians 6:9 ). Similarly, this principle is further espoused by Paul in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” James 2 goes a step further by admonishing us “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons (v.1)”. Then he adds, “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors (v.9).” Can we afford to disregard the admonitions of Scripture that teach so clearly that God has no respect of persons, that in Christ there is no respect of persons, and finally that we are not to have respect of persons? Since women are persons, these passages clearly apply to their fair and equal treatment. If God has called men into ministry, would He not also call women? Would the God of whom such passages are written about, and who requires such conduct from us, then establish just the opposite through rules and regulations in His Word that would require His church to act totally opposite to those foundational principles? Definitely not!

Let us look further to discover whether or not God used women in the Old Testament.
The Bible lists women used in the ministry of a prophetess:

Miriam (Moses had two siblings: God used Aaron as priest, and Miriam as a prophetess)
Deborah (a judge of Israel has two chapters devoted to her ministry in Judges 4&5) (The Bible never infers that Deborah was God’s choice because a suitable man was not available or willing.)
Huldah (I Kings 22/ II Chronicles 3:4)
Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3)

There are also other women in the Old Testament that God used to give spiritual words of instruction to men:

Samson’s mother (Judges 13:2-23) (to Manoah)
Abigail (I Samuel 25:28-33) (to David)
Bathsheba (Proverbs 31:1)

It is also interesting to note that the Patriarchs of the Old Testament never treated their wives as if they were a lower element of society. They were treated with honor and respect. We, also, see no restrictive words in the Old Testament that prohibit women being used in ministry. Rather we see a pattern of just the opposite, that God used women in mighty ways.

Let us now look at the New Testament, specifically the women in the life of Jesus:

His own mother was a woman of such faith, that when the angel spoke to her about the birth of Jesus, she immediately responded with faith upon hearing the angel’s words (Remember that Zachariah, John the Baptist’s father did not). She later broke forth in words of both prophecy and prophetic praise (Luke 1:46-55) in response to the words of prophecy that her cousin Elizabeth spoke (Luke 1:41-45). It is important to note that at Jesus birth, both a prophet (Simeon) and a prophetess (Anna) were used by God to proclaim the birth and future work of our Savior (Luke 2:36-38) Jesus actually performed His first miracle at the prompting of His mother, Mary, a mighty woman of faith.

Jesus also cared about the plight of women . He raised the Widow of Nain’s son. He raised Lazarus from the dead in behalf of his two grieving sisters. He healed a desperate Gentile woman’s daughter. He rescued the woman caught in adultery. He delivered Mary Magdalene of seven devils. He went out of His way to witness to a woman of Samaria. He fed the 5,000 and 4,000 men, but He also included the women and children. He blessed the children of mothers who made the special effort to come to Him. He took note of the sacrificial offering of a widow. He praised the woman who anointed Him with her alabaster box.

There were many women that followed Jesus faithfully, along with his disciples (Luke 8: 1-3). Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus were used to minister to Jesus (Luke 10:40-42), as were other women (Mark 15:41). As mentioned before, Jesus chose in John, chapter 4, to talk to a woman of Samaria. She was a woman of ill repute. It is interesting that Jesus came not only to redeem her, but to use her to minister. He knew that she was the key to a whole city. It was as a result of this woman’s testimony that the whole city of Samaria came forth to Him. The female followers of Jesus were the most faithful, most loyal, as well as among those with the greatest faith in His ministry. John was the only disciple that stayed at the cross during those hours of suffering. Yet, the Bible says a group of women disciples remained steadfastly with Him (Matt 27:55) Please take of what Barnes has to say in his commentary on this verse:
Matt 27:55
[Ministering unto him] Attending him and providing for his wants. While multitudes of people joined in the cry, "Crucify him!" and forsook him in his trying moments, it does not appear that ANY of his female followers were thus unfaithful. In the midst of all his trials, and all the Contempt poured upon him, they adhered to their Redeemer. Never did female constancy shine more brightly, and never was a happier example set for all who should afterward believe on him!
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

These same women were not only faithful to His death, but were faithful after His death. They were the first to the tomb, very early in the morning on the day after the Sabbath, to finish the processes involved in His burial. It was to these women that Jesus chose to give the message of the resurrection. (He appeared first to a woman – Mary Magdalene.) He could have waited until one of the disciples finally came on the scene, to let the news be told, but He didn’t. He affirmed the testimony of a woman, once again (as He did in Samaria). It is important to note that the Jews did not allow a woman’s testimony in court at that time because they did not feel it could be trusted. Jesus affirmed the ability of women to proclaim the gospel by entrusting them with this most important news of the New Testament: “He is risen!”.

The story of the early church in the book of Acts, addresses the way that God would use both men and women in the new church age that was about to begin. Peter on the day of Pentecost begins his explanation of the phenomenal events that were occurring by saying in Acts 2:15-18:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 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:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

These words immediately set a precedence for what would follow in that God would use all flesh –including women. Now let us look at the early church to see if there was evidence of the ministry of women:
-Lydia – used her house for the establishment of a church (Acts 16: 14,15)
-Tabitha was used in the ministry of helps (Acts 9:36).
-Philip’s 4 daughter’s prophesied (Acts 21:8,9)
-Euodia, Synteche –coworkers (Phil 4:2,3)(the same word is used for male coworkers
-Chloe (I Cor 1:11) literally “Those of Chloe” Paul’s greeting of her parallels patterns of greetings given to other leaders of house churches
-Priscilla – a fellow laborer of Paul’s mentioned as one, along with her husband, who helped to teach Apollos the Way more clearly. (5 of the 7 times that she is mentioned in the NT, her name precedes her husband Aquila’s – a practice totally uncommon in Paul’s day. Concerning she and her husband’s teaching of Apollos, Tertullian, the early church father so often quoted for his accusatory statements against women, recognized that “by the holy Prisca (or Priscilla) the Gospel is preached.” (p. 146 Why Not Women by Loren Cunningham)
-Phoebe (Romans 16:1,2) diakonos is the word used here and used elsewhere in the New Testament meaning deacon (feminine form is used here)
-Junia (Romans 16:7) notable among the apostles

It is obvious that women had an integral part in the ministry of the gospel.

Let us address now the two passages in the New Testament that are most often used as a prohibition against the ministry of women:

1 Cor 14:34-35
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

“Since these must be placed along side Paul’s other statements and practices, they can hardly be absolute, unequivocal prohibitions of the ministry of women. Instead, they seem to be teachings dealing with specific local problems that needed correction.” (taken from the article “The Role of Women in Ministry as Described in Holy Scripture”). Since Paul has addressed women praying and prophesying in public in an affirmative way just verses before, he would be in total contradiction of himself if this passage had any other meaning. When Paul wrote of women being used in prayer and prophecy, his concern was not that they were being used in these ways, but rather that they were appropriately dressed when they were used by God in these ways (I Cor. 11:5,6). A good example that could be used concerning this principle, is a parent cautioning a child that they should not talk in church. This doesn’t mean that the child should never be used to speak a scripture publicly, or be used in a Christmas program in a speaking part. It simply means that for a service to be orderly, we must listen, rather than speaking to those beside us. Since the entire chapter is discussing order in the church, it seems to be fitting that this interpretation is accurate, otherwise Paul is liable to the charge of self-contradiction.

“…if Paul was giving an absolute, telling all women everywhere to be quiet in the church, we should apply his demand to all sound coming from women in church. Women not only should be banned from preaching but also shouldn’t sing, pray aloud, give a praise report, or even make an announcement. They shouldn’t even laugh at the preacher’s jokes, cough, or shuffle their feet! Does that seem ridiculous? Consider some of the lengths women have had to go to fulfill what has been taught as an absolute of Scripture

Sophie Mueller is one example. She went out as a missionary to Columbia in the late 1940’s. She worked near where the Orinoco and Amazon rivers come together, starting at least 500 churches. But since she had been taught that women should be silent in the church, she taught her converts outside. When it rained, this dear pioneer missionary taught her students under a lean-to. Was this necessary? Is the church a building? Of course not! The church is the people. (Why Not Women by Loren Cunningham)

I Timothy 2:11-15
“I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man” (I Timothy 2:12).
It is evident that there were other problems that Paul had to address concerning women in this church (immodest apparel –I Timothy 2:9; idleness, tattling I Tim 5:13). It should be noted that Paul is not making a command here. Paul said other things that he himself felt, but did not speak as commandments. Let me give you some examples:
- “I say, therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.” (I Cor. 7:7). It is interesting that we don’t see anyone insisting on that statement to be adhered to, even though it was a practice that Paul himself chose to follow.
- “I speak with tongues more than ye all.” Amazingly many have chosen not to follow Paul’s words here, though scriptural evidence shows that the outpouring and infilling of the Holy Spirit (evidenced by tongues as shown in Acts 2) was to continue. After all, are we not even more so “in the last days”(Acts 2:17,18 & Joel 2:28) than Peter who proclaimed them , and weren’t these manifestations promised “to your children, and to all that are afar off”(Acts 2:39) which shows that there was no timeline of cutoff for these manifestations until the Messiah returned. How easy it is for some to make a big case about one of Paul’s statements that is not confirmed by the whole of Scripture and yet be so delinquent of one that is confirmed by prophets and apostles alike.

Here is an excerpt from Loren Cunningham’s book Why Not Women:

“…if we can find one example in the Bible where God uses woman to teach, blessing the results, then the premise- that God does not want women to teach – is incorrect. Are there women teachers in the Bible?

Yes, certainly! Did you know that at least 886 verses of Scripture came to us through women? One example is Mary’s beautiful words glorifying God in Luke 1:46-55. Paul told Timothy that all Scripture was given by God for teaching. If God really did prohibit women from teaching, then men must not read verses that came through those women, such as these words from Mary, for then they will be taught by those women! In fact, if we follow this argument to its logical conclusion, to avoid being taught by a woman, those 886 verses should be cut out of our Bibles.

One of the most cherished teachings in the Bible – Proverbs 31 – was given by King Lemuel. The king acknowledged that it was an oracle that his mother taught him.”

One of the ways that God has validated the ministry of women, is through the fact that many have come to Christ through their teaching, preaching. Miracles have occurred through their ministry in and out of the church. Churches have been established through their work and under their leadership. Here is just a small list out of the untold numbers of women that God has raised up in ministry:
-Mrs. Ingalls of Burma – a bishop over scores of churches (1888)
-Adele Fielde – missionary to China – preached the gospel and raised up churches
-Aimee Simple McPherson (many hundreds of churches established by her ministry)
-Katherine Khulman (many miracles and healings resulted from her ministry)
-Corrie Ten Boom (many were saved and discipled under her ministry)
-Sophie Mueller – missionary to Columbia in 1940’s –started at least 500 churches
-Dora Yu – Chinese woman evangelist under whose ministry Watchman Nee was converted
-Catherine Booth – preached along with her husband, William Booth (Salvation Army)
-Joy Dawson – teaching evangelist – ministry focus on intercessory prayer
-Henrietta Mears – founded Gospel Light Press – impacted Billy Graham and Bill Bright
-Ann Graham Lotz – evangelist and preacher
-The women of Paul Yonggi Cho’s house churches – helped to establish the world’s largest church
-Mrs. Choi – Cho’s mother-in-law; powerful preacher and intercessor
-“The most dangerous woman in Vietnam” – title given by the government - this woman has established hundreds of churches in Vietnam
- Sister Dawson – preacher and pastor that was instrumental in Paul Radtke going into ministry (He pastored for over 30 years in New Orleans)


In the book of Acts, Peter was brought before the other Apostles to be questioned because they felt like that he had done something unscriptural and out of line. Peter affirmed the entrance of the Gentile’s into Christ by the signs which he saw. He testified in Acts 11:17 “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?” When John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus to ask in Matt 11:3-5 “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” In both of these instances, it was the outcome of the ministry that validated those who were ministering. For Peter, it was evidenced that he truly had followed God in ministering to the Gentiles, because the Holy Spirit had fallen on them as on the Jews. For Jesus, the signs, miracles, and the gospel being preached with effectiveness was verification given to John that He, Jesus, was truly the Messiah sent from God. God alone can confirm a ministry with signs following, whether it is through people being saved and discipled, or miracles and healings. More than ½ of the present day church is made up of women (That would be a very conservative number.) Like the women of old, many are the most loyal, faithful, and sacrificial part of the church. The enemy would like nothing better than to bind this powerful army of warriors by telling them that they are unfit for ministry. The enemy knows that multitudes would be saved through the unleashing of this powerful group, so he uses even the church to keep them from fulfilling their God-given destiny. God desires to use every person that names the name of Christ. His commands to us are never gender biased. We have all received the same command, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). Also, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations…Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19,20). If God has confirmed the ministry of women countless times through signs following, why shouldn’t we? Only God can empower the ministry of those He has called and He has chosen to do just that. Psalms 68:11 says “The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host.” We must say in obedience, like Peter, “Who are we that we can withstand God”.

@ Copyright M.H. 2005

Alright, and so now that we have yet another perspective on this hot topic, what are your thoughts? Comment, comment, comment!