Women Pastors, page 3

OPPOSING ARGUMENTS (continued)
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11) Jesus did not ordain women preachers on account of the culture during His time.

The Claim: Some proponents of women preachers insist that Jesus could not ordain women as pastors because the culture during His earthly ministry would have opposed Him. This is the reason that the twelve apostles were all men.

Rebuttal: Do proponents of women's ordination mean that Jesus was taking a politically correct position rather than doing the will of God? I don't think so. The Word of God states that Jesus never yielded to sin (Heb. 4:15); and "sin" in this case includes putting the traditions, customs, and cultures of men on a higher plane than the scriptures. Christ understood the headship principle as it relates to the creation order established by God. This is the reason the Lord chose twelve men to be apostles. His choices were not rooted in cultural conformity. Jesus was well-known for fearlessly rebuking and shattering the traditions of men when they conflicted with the Word of God (Matt. 15:1-12, 23:1-36; Mark 7:1-23; John 2:14-17). It was this argumentation that provoked much hatred towards Him. In any case, the cultural disputations employed in this matter by proponents of women’s ordination sounds inane and clearly reveal their lack of biblical knowledge as well as contempt for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

12) The new priesthood of believers.

The Claim: Pro-women ordainers argue that since there is now a new priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:5, 9-10), then it is permissible for women to pastor a church.

Rebuttal: Yes, all believers are priests, which include women. However, the Christian priesthood is not a concept that means every believer has been called by God to preach. Each Christian based upon his/her talents and spiritual gifts (Romans 12:4-9) have a specific ministry (service) within the Body of Christ. Romans 12:4 states that: "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function." That said, although women are a part of the new covenant priesthood (the Body of Christ), God did not create them to function in leadership positions within the home and the church. Using proper exegetical balance of the scriptures, an understanding of Paul's directive in 1 Timothy 2:11-14 should become evident; and thus, does not negate his command that women are prohibited from teaching within the church. If we read the entire New Testament, we will discover that there are no priestesses or women pastors in the scriptures.

13) No women pastors, then no Gentile pastors!

The Claim: Pro-women ordainers argue that if Jesus' example of not electing women Apostles applies to this issue, then similarly, Gentiles should be prohibited from teaching on account that Jesus ordained no Gentiles to be Apostles.

Rebuttal: Jesus did not ordain Gentiles to be Apostles because initially the church consisted solely of Jews. There were no Gentiles present during the ordaining of the Apostleship. After the resurrection, Jesus' mission expanded to embrace Gentiles (Matt. 28:19, Eph. 2:16).

14) Junia was an apostle.

The Claim: Romans 16:7 states: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." Based upon the phrase "who are of note among the apostles", pro-woman ordainers contend that Junia was a woman apostle; and thus, occupied a position of authority in the church.

Rebuttal: There is much debate concerning the gender of the name "Junia" (feminine) or "Junias" (masculine). The name is rendered "Junia" in the KJV and NKJV translations; while it is rendered "Junias" in the Amplified Bible, NAS, and NIV translations. For the sake of brevity and irrelevance to my rebuttal, I will not contest the gender issue. Why? Because I submit that the phrase "who are of note among the apostle" does not mean that Junia (woman) or Junias (man) was an apostle. Firstly, the Amplified Bible states, "....held in high esteem among the apostles....", whereas the NAS and NIV states, "are outstanding among the apostles..." Both of these phrases means that Junia/Junias was well known to the apostles, rather than actually being an apostle. Secondly, the word "among" is used in the wrong context by pro-women ordainers. It does not mean that Junia/Junias was one of the apostles. This word is more accurately rendered as "in the midst" or "amid". For example, in 2 Peter 2:7-8 it states: ....and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them ..." Take note that Lot resided among the wicked, but was not himself wicked.

15) If women are restricted from teaching, then does this also mean that they are prohibited from wearing braided hair and jewelry?

The Claim: Some contend that if women are restricted from pastoral offices, then the context of 1 Timothy 2:9-14 also commands the prohibition of wearing braided hair and jewelry in the church. Thus, since such demands are not put on women today, then why should they be prohibited from holding positions of leadership within the church?

Rebuttal: One factor regarding the use of proper exegesis of scripture involves the discernment between cultural issues and commands from God. In 1 Timothy 2:9-14, the Apostle Paul provides a culturally based assessment along with an assessment based on God's creation order. Paul explains that women should dress modestly as an expression of love and reverence for God. During Paul's day, elaborate hairstyles such as braided hair and expensive jewelry were considered an incessant preoccupation with the outward appearance to the dismissal of the inner character (1 Peter 3:3-4). While styles in personal appearance and apparel may differ today than from those during Paul's day, women are nevertheless required to dress modestly with a focus on inner character rather than a self absorption of outward attributes. ---Today it is permissible for women to wear standard braided hair and jewelry. God's Word does not completely prohibit women from wearing those things (Song of Sol. 1:10, Proverbs 31:22). The Bible does, however, prohibit women from wearing braided hair and jewelry with inappropriate or concealed motives. Attired for worship service as if one is participating in a fashion show or dressing in a sexually provocative manner are two examples which would be deemed improper. ---That said; the interdiction of specific apparel worn by women is distinct from the interdiction of women pastors. Paul explains that men are the spiritual leaders in the church on the basis of the creation order of man and woman by God. The woman, while equal in personhood, was created to help man and to submit to his leadership, just as Christ acknowledges the headship of God the Father. This is a universal principle that is independent of cultural issues.

16) The meeting at the well between Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

The Claim: Based on John 4:7-42, there are those who assert that Christ ordained a Samaritan woman as a preacher on account she shared and brought forth the Word among the townspeople.

Rebuttal: In verse 39, the Bible states that the Samaritan woman "testified" ("He told me all that I ever did."). Thus, many (but not all) Samaritans believed in Christ due to the woman's testimony. Bringing the unsaved to Christ through a personal testimony does not qualify or constitute one as a preacher. There are many Christians today who can offer personal testimonies to those who are unsaved. Would that establish them as a preacher/pastor? I think not. In any case, after Jesus stayed with the Samaritans for two days, many more believed in Christ not on account of the woman's testimony, but because they heard Jesus for themselves (verses 41-42).

17) Some New Testament passages were not written by the Apostle Paul.

The Claim: The perspective of some feminists is that the Apostle Paul did not write New Testament passages of scripture which teach the submission of women to male leadership. They allege the passages of scripture that relate to women's submission to male authority in the home and the church were added by scribes, and therefore, are not valid.

Rebuttal: Apparently, some feminists will accept God's Word where they find it favorable. In instances where Scripture does not fit their agenda, they resort to scripture twisting tactics, taking scriptures out of context, as well as blatantly conjuring up falsehoods ... as in this case. According to this viewpoint, some parts of the Bible were inspired by God, while other parts were not. Thus, rather than conforming to God's Word, the individual (Christian?) serves as the judge of the Bible... making personal choices about which passages of scripture are inspired and which are not. The Bible, however, says that all Scripture is inspired by God, not by human authors (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21). True and intellectually honest Christians do not cherry-pick scriptures from the Bible that they find personally advantageous while contorting and dismissing other portions of scriptures that do not fit their agenda.

18) Submission for women existed only as a result of the fall.

The Claim: Some feminists allege that submission for women did not exist prior to the fall, but actually began in Genesis 3:16. This allegedly signifies that Adam's rule over Eve is God's curse on Eve. After the establishment of the new covenant, submission for women to male authority has become abolished.

Rebuttal: A woman's submissive role was established as part of God's creation. Submission for women to male leadership did not emerge after the fall. Firstly, it bears repeating, the apostle Paul interprets male leadership based on the creation order (1 Tim. 2:13). Adam was created first (Genesis 2:7). Eve was created as Adam's helper (Genesis 2:18-23). Thus, we have it on the authority of Scripture itself that Adam being created first and Eve later indicates that Adam properly had authority over Eve imparted at creation. Secondly, the fall actually confirms why women are not suited for leadership positions. For in 1 Timothy 2:14, Paul also states that it was the woman who was deceived, not Adam. By nature, as the "weaker vessel", women are not fully equipped to undertake the position of ultimate responsibility in the church and home. On account women, in general, are more emotional than men, they have greater vulnerability to Satan's clever and smooth talking lies. Strong emotions have an inclination to weaken discernment skills. Thirdly, the feminist interpretation of Genesis 3:16 is in error. As we discussed earlier, the Hebrew translated "your desire shall be for your husband" betokens a desire for a woman to dominate her husband. Taking these facts into account, the establishment of the new covenant does not rid us of authority and submission. Actually, if men and women obey the guidelines as expressed in the New Testament, it would bring harmony to authority and submission relationships.

19) In the New Testament, male headship does not indicate authority.

The Claim: There are a number of feminists who tell us that men held exclusive positions of authority only in the Old Testament. By contrast, in the New Testament, the hierarchical position of men over women is no longer valid . Thus, the New Testament teaches that women may occupy positions of authority in the home and the church. This line of thinking stems from the notion that the Greek word "head", which is "kephale", means "source" and never "authority." The two chief verses that feminist reference is 1 Corinthians 11:3 and Ephesians 5:23 -- "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church." It is alleged by some critics that male chauvinist took the word "head" out of context to mean "authority" in an effort to marginalize women.

Rebuttal: The evidence to support the claim that the Greek word "kephale" is rendered "source" is weak; and is nothing more than a product of an insipid theological argumentation. It is impossible that the apostle Paul meant this word to be rendered that Christ is the "source without authority" of the Church and a husband is the "source without authority" of his wife. An investigation of thousands of examples of "kephale" from numerous ancient Greek literature presented no persuasive examples where "kephale" was defined as "source." On the other hand, the evidence to support the claim that "kephale" is rendered "authority over" is firm. Major Greek lexicons indicate that the context of "kephale" is rendered "authority" or "ruler", whereas none give the rendering "source." For example, The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon defines "kephale" as: "the head, both of men and often of animals. Since the loss of the head destroys life, this word is used in the phrases relating to capital and extreme punishment. metaph. anything supreme, chief, prominent of persons, master lord: of a husband in relation to his wife of Christ: the Lord of the husband and of the Church of things: the corner stone." Another example is: The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon. Its rendition of the Greek word "kephale” is: "the head, both of men and often of animals." Since the loss of the head destroys life, this word is used in the phrases relating to capital and extreme punishment. metaph. anything supreme, chief, prominent of persons, master lord: of a husband in relation to his wife of Christ: the Lord of the husband and of the Church of things: the corner stone." ---Simply put, to be the head of a person or a group of people always means to have authority over those people. The feminist assertion that a person who is termed the "kephale" can be the "source without authority" is simply a concocted fictitious and deceptive idea that should be rejected. Excellent reads on this issue are: "Does 'kephale' ('Head') Mean 'Source' or 'Authority over' in Greek Literature? A Survey of 2,336 Examples" (Trinity Journal 6 NS [1985], pages 38-59). "The Meaning of 'kephale': A Response to Recent Studies" (Trinity Journal 11 NS [1990]), pages 3-72.

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