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CAN A WOMAN LEAD IN THE CHURCH?
Introduction
The issue of having women in the
ministry has always been a primary concern in many churches today. There are
many evangelical churches that allow having Lady Pastors, Elders, or Deacons while
others strictly do not ordain any woman leader at all. Among the strongest
Biblical sources being held on to regarding this ecclesiastical doctrine are
the accounts of the Apostle Paul when he wrote his epistles to the churches of
Corinth and Ephesus. Apparently, Pauline theology has always been part of the
discussions with regards to deciding if women will be allowed to lead in the
Church.
Paul About Women In the Ministry
"As in all the
congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They
are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says."
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Pauline theology has been
controversial when it comes to treating women who are in the ministry. One of
the phrases in Pauline epistles that is often confused about is in 1
Corinthians 14, where he said that "women should keep quiet". If
thoroughly exegeted, one will realize that Paul was just addressing an issue
within the Corinth church that time and he was not making a universal rule for
the Church. This chapter, particularly verses 34 and 35 are usually interpreted
out of context by some churches. [1]
Remember that the phrase "no
longer male and female" that he said Galatians 3:28 will show Paul's view
of equality between men and women, though he was about having each, man and
woman, different and special ministries, as what he talked about godly characteristics
of a church leader who is a husband of one wife and so forth), and then husband
should be the head of the family and the wife should submit to him. This is not
about superiority and inferiority. These are equal ministries- husband as head
and wife in full submission and children under them. Hence, Paul was not
against having women leading in the ministry.
To understand better if Paul was in
favor or against having women in the ministry are these women whom he himself
has discipled to lead in churches that he planted over the years of ministry in
Europe.
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe,
a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a
way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for
she has been the benefactor of many people, including me…Greet Priscilla[2] and Aquila, my co-workers
in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the
churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them . . . Greet Andronicus and Junia,
my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the
apostles, and they were in Christ before I was . . . Greet Tryphena and
Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis,
another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. [3] Rom. 16:1-12
We cannot give an accurate number of
women in the ministry from Paul's planted Churches but aside from those
mentioned above, there are also Prisca, Nympha, Mary, Lydia who were heads of
house churches. If Paul has charged these women in the name of Jesus to be
leading in the ministry, then we can say that there is no problem having women
as a pastor, deacon, or an elder in the church then and now. It has always
something to do about the needs of the church and of course, the leading of the
Holy Spirit in the congregation.
Problem in the Ephesus
1 Timothy 2:11-12 was intended to
instruct the church in Ephesus regarding how women (and even men) should behave
in the church, based on the bigger scope- whole chapter 2- being the
"Instructions on Worship". [4]
The first pastoral letter to Timothy
by Paul was written around AD 65, after Paul's 1st imprisonment. During those days,
one of the problems in the church was the different (or perhaps disrespectful)
behavior of women in the church. It was supposedly because of the rising ego of
women caused by the prevalent idolatry towards a Goddess named Artemis (Diana-Roman
equivalent) as mentioned in Acts 19. Hence, the strong personalities of some
women then have been making trouble in the church, making worship services unpeaceful
and disappointing to others. Some women talk to their husbands during worship
like asking things, interrupting them in every way and whenever they feel like
doing it. They seem to, in some point, dominate their husbands.
This problem, as Paul viewed it, had
to be solved by instructing women to keep silent or learn in silence, and submit
to their husbands. Paul said he does not permit the woman to talk in the church
but this does not mean that women are not permitted to preach nor lead in the
church. He was addressing an issue about a particular woman in the church who
has been a problem to the congregation but he did not name her in the letter.[5] This is not the first time
that Paul did it as he also wrote epistles to other churches addressing issues
with individuals without mentioning their names.[6]
As per Paul, there is always the
right time to talk. Hence, women should stop talking during worship, as their
voices cause disturbance in the church. It has been said that in the early churches,
women and men usually have separate designated places to sit on. Therefore,
when a woman wants to ask something to his husband, she tends to shout towards
her husband the question, which awkwardly puts up an annoying scenario inside
the church during worship.
Obviously, the plight was over then, hence the
solution given by Paul was for that time as well, and not for us today. Again,
it is a matter of context.
Jesus' View According to
the Scriptures
Jesus himself was not against women being leaders in
the Church. Remember there were five people under His feet when He was on the
cross, and four out of those five were women. The first disciples whom Jesus
appeared to when He resurrected were also women (Magdalene and Mary). And the
first evangelist that He had was the Samaritan woman by the well. And this may
sound out of context but the only 'DNA' Jesus had was of a woman, which was of
Mary’s.
Jesus surely does not want women
today to be in silence or remain to be mere attendees and constant listeners.
As He wants the church to be organic, women in the ministry are also expected
to grow and become instruments for the advancement of the Kingdom. Jesus has given the commission to everyone not
just to men.
The Lord acknowledged women in the ministry
many times as we look at the accounts in the New Testament or even in the Old
Testament like Deborah, the only woman judge then, and Esther, the queen who
represented the Jewish people during the Assyrian rule.
God did not say "I will use men
only in my kingdom", but clearly, He wants everyone, men and women, to
work with Him as He does His will on earth. 1 Peter 4:10 says that "Each
one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God's grace in its various forms.".. and all, men and women,
are parts of the body of Christ, as said in 1 Corinthians 12. Either men or
women, can speak and teach in the church, as long as it's according to God's
call and purpose.
Conclusion
Realizing
from this position paper, I am looking closely to my own church as well. Being
an independent church, we are still small in number and there are not a lot of
men in the church. In our context, women usually lead Bible studies and
outreaches. Even the educators are mostly women not to mention majority of the
elders/council are women as well. If we will wait for men to come to church and
become leaders, it will take months or years for them to commit. But the needs are
so great so churches like us do not have a choice but to tap the only resources
that we have, and these are the women who have been discipled and are committed
to serve the church and the Lord.
Personally,
I do not see any problem having women leading in the church but I respect
ministers and churches who strictly have men alone lead the church. For as long
as we all serve the Lord with all our heart, mind, body and soul, and we commit
our whole selves to the great commission to reach our Jerusalem, Judah,
Samaria, and the ends of the earth, then I believe the Lord recognizes that in
spite of the flaws that we have in the organic church, that is still in the
process of perfection.
Other online sources read for this position paper:
https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/675/article/women-and-paul
https://www.bible-bridge.com/pauls-view-of-women/
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29513427
https://directionjournal.org/9/1/role-of-women-in-church-pauline.html
[1]
Loren Cunningham, et.al., Why Not Women? Seattle, WA, 2000.
P185-185. “Keep in mind that this verse is part of a passage that concludes a
seven-part series on ministry in the church, as outlined at the beginning of
chapter 12. Paul didn’t toss out haphazard ideas. He was a controlled, disciplined
writer and nowhere more so than in this intricate passage. Any understanding of
this verse regarding women keeping silent has to be viewed in the context of
what has gone before. This includes 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, which as we’ve seen
before strongly affirms men and women praying and prophesying in public
gatherings of the church.”
[2]
Ibid. Paul was preaching about silencing women in the church, where Priscila
was a founding leader, where she spent years of leading along with her husband
Aquila. The same church where Apollos was corrected for his errors in
leadership. “Was Paul, who had asked the church in Rome to receive the woman
minister Phoebe with all due honor, now contradicting himself telling Timothy
never to allow women to be leaders in the church? P.207
[4]
Ibid. “…Paul used a mini-chiasm (in this passage in 1 Timothy).. He began
talking about women in general, then switched to a particular woman, then
switched back to women in general,” p.207
[5]
Ibid. p.213. “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do
not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man;she must be
silent..”
[6] (1)
A man in Corinth committing incest. 1 Cor.5:1 (2) Titus being instructed by
Paul to warn a divisive person once, and then for the second warning without
positive response, he should let the person be as he has nothing to do with him
anymore. Titus 3:10-11.
HAS THE GIFT OF PROPHECY CEASED?
Introduction
The Missio Dei is apparently also the mission of the
Church in the New Testament as the result of Christ’s incarnational ministry.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Pentecost was the seal of the official
“sending” of the church not just for the Jews but to the Gentiles as well. The
gifts of the Holy Spirit were upon every believer: apostles, prophets,
teachers, healers, and pastors. The power of God was just so strong and obvious
then. The question now is, are these gifts and power still strong today? Have
these continued or ceased? Apostleship (church planters) still exist as well as
teachers. Pastors are around the world and Healing and other miracles are still
happening. But prophets, are they still needed here? Some names today like
Jeremiah Johnson or Sadhu and so forth, are they true prophets?
Gift of
Prophecy: Continued or Ceased?
Cessasionists
like Richard Gaffin[1] and
Daniel Wallace believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit have expired and
are not expected to appear today. Two of the known reformists Martin Luther and
John Calvin also supported this position along with others like the 20th
century John Gresham Machen and B.B. Warfield. The Sola Scriptura, originated
from Luther, was among the strong standpoints of this group. For them, the
charismatic groups technically violate this whenever the claim for the Holy
Spirit gifts' existence is proclaimed and practiced. Nonetheless, the Bible
tells nothing about the gifts being stopped or expired although nothing was
mentioned about these being continued either. Some Cessasionists like John
McArthur balance it out by agreeing with the Continuationist’s interpretation
that “prophecy” and revelatory gifts exist in
natural terms.[2]
Modern theologians like Sam Storms, in the Strange Fire Conference, say that it
is important to consider “the explicit and oft-repeated purpose of the
charismata: namely, the edification of Christ's body”.[3]
For Storms, this is not possible if the gifts of the Holy Spirit were just made
available to the New Testament apostles only. Thomas Schreiner responded to this by emphasizing that only the
apostolic church had the gifts and all we have now are their teachings until
Jesus returns.[4]
I personally do not believe
that the gift of prophecy or any of the apostolic gifts have ceased but I say
this with particular reservations. We cannot deny the fact though that the Holy
Spirit’s operation changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Today’s
operation of the Holy Spirit is also different from those two periods. When the
Old Testament prophets say “Thus says the Lord…”, it should be infallible. When
the New Testament prophets say the same, Paul warned that the church should
judge the prophecy.[5]
At this point, the New Testament prophets never erred except those false
prophets whose prophecies did not come into effect. Today’s prophets, on the
other hand, are said to function differently. Schreiner said that what we have
today are prophecies that are actually the impressions from God.[6]
These impressions are used by God to lead us.[7]
These are infallible and should be judged according to the Scriptures. I would
agree with Schreiner that we receive impressions from God but we should be
careful about how we view these impressions. The Holy Spirit is indwelling us
so the prophetic impressions would be possible for every believer. Even so, we
cannot walk blinded of the experiences and evidences that God still speaks to
prophets today for the purpose of warning and rebuking of hearts. This may be
the least reason to establish for the standpoint of supporting the prophecies
we receive today but we cannot question God when the Holy Spirit Himself
inspires a servant to go to a place or proclaim an impending event for a
nation, a church, or an individual. Christians have to be wise and be led by
the Spirit. They have the Old Testament and New Testament truth and
testimonies. More knowledge and responsibilities are given today. It is
therefore important that Christians should judge according to what God has
provided in history.
How the HS operates Today Through the “Modern Prophets”
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans
8:16, NIV
God came down from heaven to earth and torn
the veil so that we can have direct communication and relationship with Him. Therefore,
it can be said that all Christians can actually prophesy.[8] The Holy
Spirit is already in every believer and on and on, the impressions are received
by a servant and child of God. These impressions[9] refer to the voice
of the God speaking to a Christian through the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, this
standpoint can be really dangerous to some as God said through the prophet
Ezekiel that the false prophets who prophesy from their own inspiration will be
rebuked and punished.[10]
Technically, the viewpoint that all Christians can
prophesy can be rejected as based on Luther’s Sola Scriptura. Nothing in the
Bible that says all believers can prophesy. Some though will receive the gift
of prophecy while others’ gifts will be in line with apostleship, teaching,
healing, miracles, and pastoring. We cannot limit the Holy Spirit but the gift
of prophecy is such a heavy and critical task or office to take.
The Holy Spirit directs the prophecies for
the waking up of people for the ultimate purpose of deliverance. He uses the
prophet to carry the Word. From the very mouth of God, the prophet receives the
Word and begins to be the mouthpiece of the most High God. The phrase “Thus
says the Lord” is among the heaviest and most important phrases in the Bible.
When this is said, the power of God is upon it. A false prophet who says this
phrase has an immeasurable responsibility to God because of using His name.
Uttering this phrase without the truth that God really spoke to him will mean
blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Hence, since that what we have today are just
impressions from the Lord, we cannot say the phrases: “God revealed to me” or
“Thus says the Lord..” so to speak. It may be more appropriate to say “The Lord
impressed to me that..” and so on and so forth.
Jesus As a
Prophet Has to Be Imitated
Jesus
spoke and taught in parables, which are in line with the Old Testament and more
importantly with the Old Testament prophets.[11]
Though it may sound artistic, the parables of Jesus were not primarily intended
to draw people closer. “The parables are not nice stories, mere clever
illustrations, or nice pedagogical tools: they are part of a prophetic agenda.”[12]
Jesus used parables to bring the message of the Father and to confront the
hearts of people. It was still His agenda to reconcile and reconstitute Israel
(and later the other nations) under His leadership. He was prophet, teacher,
discipler, and everything to fulfill His purpose for humankind. And we are to
imitate His example during His three-year ministry, including such prophetic
ministry.
Functions of the New Testament Prophets Were Limited Though
Some
theologians say that the prophets and teachers in 1 Corinthians 12:28 were the
same.[13]
Nonetheless, προφήτης and διδάσκαλος are different. The reason why the former
was second and the latter was third in the list is that, Paul was talking about
two different offices. Even so, there is a relation between these two as Jesus
did both. His forerunner, John the Baptist, also did. They both gave predictive
prophecies and taught people about the prophecies. Judas and Silas in Acts 15
also were prophets and at the same time teachers in the church. Not all did the
same though. Some of the prophets mentioned above were plainly prophets, who
predicted future events. An example was Agabus who predicted the famine and
Paul’s arrest by the Jews and handing over to the Romans. Some apostles
(apostolos) were also prophets at the same time like John the beloved. In spite
of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Pentecost, there were limitations
in the functions of the prophets in the New Testament as the early church
developed.[14] Why did
the prophetic ministry changed and narrowed down the functions? Harold said:
First, it is to be observed that in essence Christ's
apostles, as in the case of the savior himself, are prophets as far as functions
are concerned: they are God's spokesman guided by the Holy Spirit (1
Corinthians 7:40); predictors of the future (1 and 2 Thessalonians; 2 Peter 3,
Revelation); teachers (1 Timothy 2:7); and workers of miracles (Matthew 10:8;
Acts 3:1-8; 13:8-11; 20:9-10). Secondly, as the New Testament Church develops
under the leadership of the apostles, the concentration of these gifts which
they themselves possessed and continued to exercise are seen, at least in part,
to be shared among the members of the church for its better functioning…[15]
Note that in the Old Testament, God spoke to the prophets
to send the message to the people. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ came so
that by the power of the Holy Spirit, the church will speak to all the nations.
It is therefore not usual to have direct revelation from God from the Apostolic
Church period on, because of the incarnational ministry of Jesus. Otherwise,
when the need arose, God handpicked prophets in the New Testament like Agabus,
Anna, and others to speak of predictive prophecies.
Conclusion
The gift of prophecy
has not ceased but this office functions in a different way. It is distinct from
the office of the prophets in the Old Testament and the New Testament. What the
believers have today are impressions from the Lord. There is no direct WORD
from the Lord to man except from what He has already written in the Scriptures.
The Scripture itself is the Lord’s prophecy for the believers. Hence today, no
believer can say “Thus says the Lord” to certain group of people. It is more
appropriate to say “the Scripture says..”. Nonetheless, we cannot limit the
Holy Spirit. He can show Himself to people if He wants to, just like how some
believers say in their testimonies. But again, saying that the Lord Himself
appeared to them and directly utter the words so they can tell the people, this
takes a lot of accountabilities before the Lord.
[1]
Richard B. Gaffin have agreed with some Continuationist interpretation of the
gifts today but he did not consider the idea about the natural character of
these gifts. See more about this in Gaffin’s Perspectives on Pentecost (NJ: Presbyterian and Rformed Company,
1979), 109.
[2] John F. MacArthur, Charismatic Chaos (MI: Zondervan, 1992), 389. http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=TnVj53uZVjkC&printsec=frontcover&hl=fil#v=onepage&q&f=false (viewed August 25, 2014)
[3] http://thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-i-am-a-continuationist/ (viewed on August 25, 2014)
[4] http://thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-i-am-a-cessationist/ (viewed on August 25, 2014)
[5] 1 Corinthians 14:29-31, “Let
two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If
a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For
you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and
the spirits of prophets are subject.”
[7] Wayne Grudem sees
these impressions as prophecy. See also Grudem’s Stanley Gundry’s compilation
of views in “Are Miraculous Gifts For Today”? (MI: Zondervan, 2011).
[8] Some writers like Steve Thompson and Robert Benjamin
Hall produced books about these. See Thompson Steve's "You may all
prophesy!" Morning star publications (2000) and Rober B. Hall's Anyone can
Prophesy (NY:Seabury Press, 1977).
[9] “Impressions” term used by Schreiner above and referred
to as prophecy itself by W. Grudem.
[10] NIV,
Ezekiel 13:1-4, “The word of the Lord came to me: 2“Son of man,
prophesy against the prophets of Israel who
are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word
of the Lord! 3 This is what
the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to
the foolish[a] prophets who follow their
own spirit and have seen nothing! 4 Your prophets,
Israel, are like jackals among ruins.”
[11]
Klyne Snodgrass, “Parables, Prophets and Theologians” Bulletin for Biblical Research 18.1 (2008), 45–77.
[12]
Snodgrass, 54.
[13] C. Rabin, The
Zadokite Documents (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1954), 28.
[14]
Mare Harold says that “The
prophet function, as the Church developed, seems to be limited to that of
inspired utterances of some sort given under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
( I Cor. 14:29-32 ).” See his, “Prophet and teacher in the New Testament
period” Bulletin of the Evangelical
Theological Society 9 no 3 (Sum 1966), 139-148. Prophets
actually function also as teachers and/or apostles at the same time. It really
depends on the need and the direction of the Holy Spirit for the minister.
[15] M.Harold, 147-148.