So, what do you think? Should women preach or even speak in church? How about on Mother’s Day? Oh yes, this is definitely a hot button issue! For many reasons, I think I’ll skip Mother’s Day this year. What was once a day the Hallmark enthusiasts created to honor the mothers out there (and maximize on card sales!) has turned into pessimistic tributes. All the controversy is just not worth the recognition.
Our church has had a woman speak on Mother’s Day for several years. Amid much controversy that has diminished the honor of mothers; I just want to skip the holiday. The complaints had dwindled until last year. The beautiful lady who was to speak lost her father shortly before, so one of the pastor’s wives stepped in. In the fall, they gave her a spot to make up for her loss. And oh, the judgment flew out of the woodwork for having a woman on the platform, and not on Mother’s Day! Oh, the horrors! This year, our lead pastor (a man) will be delivering a typical Mother’s Day message titled, “Women Matter!”
Update: Our pastor gave a fabulous Mother’s Day sermon, dealing with some of this very subject! Check it out: Women Matter!
A couple of months ago, I saw a post on social media about this very thing, embellishing on the controversy. Well, it was actually one of many I’ve seen over the years. The saddest comment was: “Are we going back to covered heads? How deep do you go? This is the type of stuff that makes me want to run the other direction.” Whether we agree or not, this is why Satan wins every time we publicly argue over doubtful things. Sometimes, I just want to scream, “It’s NOT a salvation issue!!” Not only does the argument cause division, it’s a bad witness for Christ. This division puts stumbling blocks in front of those who are young. (See Romans 14, especially Romans 14:1 and Romans 14:13)
We will not see civil debates or unity in the body until people stop listening to their favorite YouTube pastor or loud mouth relative and we get into the Word ourselves to do our own research. And then we still need to go back to the Holy Spirit as the ultimate litmus test! I’ve seen people knock down ministers (which is unbiblical; see 1st Samuel 24, 1st Samuel 26, and especially, 1st Samuel 26:9) that go against their narrative, then turn around and defend their position based on preachers they insist are “sound” biblical teachers. And yet, a quick search will bring up horrible claims about those very “sound” biblical teachers. Be very careful who you follow and/or defend!
We are not going to agree with everyone simply because we are humans. We do not know everything and never will, so long as we are in our mortal bodies. Why, there was even a time when highly intelligent doctors believed a body could be healed by attaching leaches to the person! Oh, how far we’ve come! But we have a very long way to go. For anyone who insists their view is set in stone, be careful that God doesn’t pull you off your pedestal! Even I have changed over the years as I’ve grown closer to the Lord.
Most of the arguments to forbid women from speaking in church or teaching over a man are extracted from 1st Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1st Timothy 2:11-12 . And yet, there are all kinds of examples of women prophesying and in leadership positions! Rather than me taking up the space and relaying all the research I’ve done the past couple of months, and if you want to take the same nerded out rabbit trail as I did, listed below are tons of articles giving historical as well as linguistic arguments that give evidence to the other side of our traditional consensus of suppressing women. I have not listed the articles that give surface conclusions about these passages, since the loudest voices have already shoved those teachings to the forefront. Most of the articles that make their way to the top of any search engine are anti-woman. Though, if you have access to the internet, it doesn’t take long to find arguments on both ends of the spectrum. What I looked for were two things: if they researched back to the original Greek language, and also if they were schooled in cultural history in both Jewish and Gentile societies. Two theories I found interesting are the possibility that the texts could be either an interpolation or a quotation. That’s a rabbit trail I’ll save for later!
So, for the past few months, after taking a deep dive into what the scriptures actually say, I’ve reached the conclusion that we’ve been fed a bag of dirt. The subject is fiercely admonished on both ends of the spectrum! Be open to the Holy Spirit. Be open to change if the Lord gives you His eyes. I’m not going to argue my beliefs; I’ll let you do your own research and come to your own conclusions. Let’s not be arrogant, domineering, or abrasive in our speech. But if God gives a woman a Word, woman, rise up and speak!!
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” ~Galatians 3:28
Remember, this is NOT a salvation issue! If a woman gets up to “preach” and you are stuck in the middle of the pew, just think of her as your elderly grandma who came to give you God’s grace and wisdom! Our main focus should be on the ABC’s:
ABC’s of Salvation:
A – Admit you’re a sinner and Ask forgiveness (repent): Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23;Luke 13:5: Luke 15:7
B – Believe that Jesus is Lord; that He died on the cross for you; and rose out of the grave on the 3rd day: Romans 10:9-10
C – Call upon the name of Jesus and confess that He is Lord of your life: Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:13; John 1:12
That’s all there is to it! When you accept His forgiveness, then He will fill you with His Spirit and renew your heart. You’ll experience His never-ending love and fall in love with Him more and more every day!! Life is not perfect or fair, people will still hate you, but you’re never alone and you know that you have a father who actually loves you!
**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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Articles I Recommend For Further Research
“Early Christian Writings: New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, Church Fathers” This site is the most complete collection of Christian texts (including texts outside of the Cannon) before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The site provides translations and commentary for these sources, including the New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, Church Fathers, and some non-Christian references: (Site: https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/)
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Articles on women in leadership roles (listed alphabetically):
“Why 1 Timothy 2:8-15 Does Not Ban Women from Teaching & Having Authority in the Church” by Patrick Franklin, PhD, McMaster Divinity College, Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics at Providence Theological Seminary in Manitoba, Canada, writes, “The women in Ephesus were being banned from teaching and leadership not because they were women, but because they were not ready, not adequately trained for the job. And given their status (used to being people of influence) and values (it is important to be rich and to appear affluent), it seems that they lacked both knowledge of the Christian faith and the humility and self-awareness to recognize their lack. Many of these high-status women probably had male slaves/servants who were now worshipping with them in the Christian church (see Westfall, p. 172). The kind of ‘authority’ they were used to exercising over them was no longer fitting in the context of Christian worship and community (again, Westfall).” (Site: https://juniaproject.com/1-timothy-2-does-not-ban-women-teaching-having-authority/)
“Women Prophets in the Hebrew Bible” by Dr. Claude Mariottini, writes, “Most of the prophets of Israel were male. While there are almost thirty men who are called prophets in the Old Testament, there are only five women who are called prophetesses. The five women who are called prophets (or prophetesses) in the Old Testament are Miriam (Exod. 15:20 ), Deborah (Judg. 4:4), Huldah (2 Kgs. 22:14), Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), and Isaiah’s wife (Isa. 8:3), a woman whose name is not given by Isaiah.” (Site: https://claudemariottini.com/2013/08/19/women-prophets-in-the-hebrew-bible/)
“The Rabbis’ View on Huldah the Prophetess” by Dr. Claude Mariottini, writes, “Patriarchy was a reality in ancient Israel, but the patriarchal view of women breaks down in the case of the women prophets. The reason is that while most positions of leadership were chosen by men or were past from father to son, the prophet was a person called by God. Thus, when the spirit of God chooses an individual to the prophetic ministry, God does not look at the gender of that individual. God can choose both men and women to proclaim his message to people who do not know him.” (Site: https://claudemariottini.com/2013/09/24/the-rabbis-view-on-huldah-the-prophetess/)
“Women in Church Leadership – a Series of Study Papers” by Professor Michael Morrison, writes: “Although we cannot answer all questions about the specific situation Paul was addressing in Corinth, we do conclude that he was addressing a specific situation rather than making a general prohibition on women speaking in church. His intent was to prohibit disruptive and disrespectful questions and comments that were part of the chaotic Corinthian meetings—and in Corinth, these particular practices were coming from the women. Just as he told the disorderly tongues-speakers and prophets to control themselves because God is not a God of disorder, he also told the women to control themselves because the law teaches self-control. If they want to learn something, they can ask questions somewhere else.” (Site: https://learn.gcs.edu/mod/book/view.php?id=4261&chapterid=12)
**Listed here are just a few of the many articles I highly recommend by Margaret Mowczko, with over 600 articles, her website is dedicated to Christian egalitarianism. She has a theology degree (BTh) from the Australian College of Ministries (ACOM) and a master’s degree (MA) with a specialization in early Christian and Jewish studies from Macquarie University. Mrs. Mowczko is also fluent in the original Greek language. Her articles are the most meticulous of all my research:
“Interpretations and Applications of 1 Corinthians 14:34–35” by Margaret Mowczko, a very well researched article dedicated to women in ministry. [If you’re a man, you probably will not want to read her articles so as not to fall under the law of “women teaching men” although, she does quote several men in her articles, such as, Craig Keener, Ben Witherington, Gordon D. Fee, Philip Payne, Bruce Metzger, Richard Kroeger, and Jim Reiher, among others.] Be sure to read the questions and answers, and the comments, following her summation from both men and women; they are quite enlightening! (Site: https://margmowczko.com/interpretations-applications-1-cor-14_34-35/)
“1 Corinthians 14:34-35 In a Nutshell” by Margaret Mowczko (Site: https://margmowczko.com/1-corinthians-1434-35-in-a-nutshell/)
“Authentein in 1 Timothy 2:12, in a Nutshell” by Margaret Mowczko (Site: https://margmowczko.com/authentein-authenteo-1-timothy-2/
“Women Teaching and Deception” by Margaret Mowczko, she writes: “1 Timothy 2:15 is a difficult verse to decipher but it may be about the woman’s domineering behaviour towards her husband. She may have been refusing s@x and avoiding childbirth for reasons of piety (cf. 1 Timothy 4:3a). S@xual renunciation was not uncommon in the early church. (Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 7:1–6 to address the issue of both married and single Corinthian Christians who were choosing to become and remain celibate.) … Paul did not bar anyone from edifying ministry. The apostle’s overall theology of ministry was, “You have a gift use it,” and he doesn’t exclude women from his general statements about ministry, including leadership and teaching ministries, in Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, and Ephesians 4:11. There is no hint in the lists of ministries in these verses, in the Greek, that some of these ministries are only for men.” (Site: https://margmowczko.com/women-teaching-and-deception/)
“The Biblical Basis of Egalitarianism in 500 Words” by Margaret Mowczko (Site: https://margmowczko.com/biblical-case-for-egalitarianism/)
“Bible Women with Spiritual Authority” by Margaret Mowczko (Site: https://margmowczko.com/bible-women-with-spiritual-authority/)
“Every Female Prophet in the Bible” by Margaret Mowczko (Site: https://margmowczko.com/prophetesses-bible/)
“Paul and Women, in a Nutshell” by Margaret Mowczko, writes: “Here is a list, in alphabetical order, of the eighteen women in Paul’s letters, plus Lydia: Apphia (Phlm. 1:2), Chloe (1 Cor. 1:11), Claudia (2 Tim. 4:21), Eunice (2 Tim. 1:5); Euodia (Php. 4:2–3), Julia (Rom. 16:15), Junia (Rom. 16:7 NIV), Lois (2 Tim. 1:5), Mary (Rom. 16:6), Nereus’ sister (Rom. 16:15), Nympha (Col. 4:15), Persis (Rom. 16:12), Phoebe (Rom. 16:1-2 NIV), Priscilla (Rom. 16:3–5; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim. 4:19 cf. Acts 18:1–3, 18–19, 26), Rufus’ mother (Rom. 16:13), Syntyche (Phil. 4:2–3), Tryphena (Rom. 16:12), Tryphosa (Rom. 16:12). Lydia is mentioned in Acts 16:13–15, 40.” (Site: https://margmowczko.com/paul-and-women-in-a-nutshell/)
“Defusing the 1 Timothy 2:12 Bomb” by Gail Wallace, who holds a B.S.N. and M.A. from Azusa Pacific University and a Ph.D. from Walden University. (Site: https://juniaproject.com/defusing-1-timothy-212-bomb/)
“But What About 1 Timothy 2:12?” Ten Talking Points” also by Gail Wallace (Site: https://juniaproject.com/1-timothy-212-ten-talking-points/)
Articles on translation, interpolation or quotation, and grammar errors:
“Should Women Really ‘Keep Silent’ In Church? Understanding 1 Corinthians 14:34-35” by Dale Chamberlain, M.Div., Theologian and Pastor, writes, “Interpretation begins with translation. In the Greek manuscripts, there are no chapters or verses. There is no punctuation. In fact, for the most part, there aren’t even spaces between words. All of this needs to be interpreted by translation committees before they can render the text into English. And sometimes the grammar and punctuation choices they make are highly consequential.” (Site: https://kainosproject.com/2022/02/15/1-corinthians-1434-35/)
“Lost In Translation: Phoebe, Servant or Minister? – Part 1” by Bob Edwards, who holds degrees in Religious Education, Social Development Studies & Social Work in Ontario, Canada. He writes, “In the Greek New Testament, Paul refers to himself as a “diakonos” (Colossians 1:23 and 25). In the New King James Version of the Bible (NKJV) this word is translated “minister”. Paul explains that his duties, as a minister, include “teaching” and “preaching” (Col. 1:28). He also refers to Timothy as a “diakonos”, translated “minister”, and associated with teaching or instruction. In Romans 16:1 the word “diakonos” is used again, this time in reference to a woman, Phoebe. But in this instance the NKJV does not translate the word as “minister”. Instead it refers to Phoebe as a “servant”.” (Site: https://juniaproject.com/phoebe-servant-or-minister/)
“Lost In Translation: A Look at 1 Timothy 2:12-15 – Part 2” (Site: https://juniaproject.com/translation-1-timothy-212/)
“1 Timothy 2: Paul’s Original Language, Timothy’s Original Context” by Bob Edwards, he states, “Paul also warned against “a woman” teaching and practicing something he called “authentein” against “a man” (1 Timothy 2:12). In the 4th Century, St. Jerome translated “authentein” as “dominari,” which means to dominate or exercise dominion over a man. While “dominate” suggests an abusive form of authority, most recent translations of the Bible remove all negative connotations from the Greek word “authentein”, translating it as “exercise authority.” But throughout the history of Greek Literature, particularly from 200 B.C. to 200 A.D., authentein represented something notoriously violent. Given this understanding of “authentein” and the religious history of Ephesus, it is unlikely that Paul was warning against women (in general) “exercising authority” over men in the church. It is more likely that along with his warnings against false teaching, mythology, and forbidding marriage and the eating of certain foods, he was also warning against an abusive form of power.” (Site: https://juniaproject.com/1-timothy-pauls-language-original-context/
“Who “Killed” Junia? Part One” by Patrick Mead, a scientist holding two doctorates (psychology and brain chemistry), and a lead minister, church planter, and consultant for churches across the country. (Site: https://juniaproject.com/who-killed-junia-part-one/)
“Who “Killed” Junia? Part Two” also by Patrick Mead. (Site: https://juniaproject.com/who-killed-junia-part-two/)
“Interpretations and Applications of 1 Corinthians 14:34–35” by Margaret Mowczko (Site: https://margmowczko.com/interpretations-applications-1-cor-14_34-35/)
“Kenegdo = Equal to Him (Genesis 2:18 & 20) by Margaret Mowczko (Site: https://margmowczko.com/kenegdo-equal-to-him/)
“Junia in Romans 16:7” by Margaret Mowczko (Site: https://margmowczko.com/junia-and-the-esv/)
“Junia, Nympha, Euodia, Stephana(s): Men or Women?” by Margaret Mowczko (Site: https://margmowczko.com/stephanas-man-or-woman/)
“The Authority and Authenticity of NT Scripture” by Margaret Mowczko, includes videos of Dr. Daniel Wallace, Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. Craig Evans, Professor of Christian Origins at Houston Theological Seminary, and an interview by Craig Evans with Larry Hurtado. (Site: https://margmowczko.com/the-authority-and-authenticity-of-nt-scripture/)
“Question: Why Would 1 Cor 14:34-35 Be An Interpolation?” by Dr. Philip B. Payne, PhD [Professor, Missionary, and founder and president of Linguist’s Software with fonts in more than 2600 languages], provides information on Interpolations, which are later additions inserted into the Scriptures by unknown authors. (Site: https://www.pbpayne.com/question-why-would-1-cor-1434-35-be-an-interpolation/)
Book by Dr. Philip B. Payne, “The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood: How God’s Word Consistently Affirms Gender Equality (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2023)” (Site: https://www.pbpayne.com/publications/the-bible-vs-biblical-womanhood/). On pages 83-84 of his book he states:
- “The evidence that 14:34–35 was not originally in Paul’s letter is so strong that Greek Orthodox scholar David Bentley Hart rejects 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 as “almost certainly spurious.” [David Bentley Hart, The New Testament: A Translation (New Haven/London: Yale, 2017), 345–46.]
- BasisBibel notes that 14:34–35 contradicts 11:2–16 and is probably a later insertion. [BasisBibel (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2021), 1788.]
- The famous Roman Catholic scholar, Joseph Fitzmyer, notes that “the majority of commentators today” conclude it [14:34–35] is a later addition. [Joseph A. Fitzmyer, First Corinthians, AB (New Haven: Yale, 2008), 530.]
- Textual scholar Kim Haines-Eitzen states this of “nearly all scholars now.” [K. Haines-Eitzen, The Gendered Palimpsest: Women, Writing, and Representation in Early Christianity (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012), 62. Payne, Man and Woman, One in Christ, 226–227 identifies fifty-five studies which conclude that 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 is not original.]
- Gordon Fee, the most famous evangelical textual scholar, argues that these verses were not in Paul’s letter but were added in the margin of a manuscript and inserted by later copyists either after verse 33 or verse 40. [Gordon D. Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987), 699–708.]”
(Credit to Margaret Mowczko for quoting Philip Payne in the footnotes of her article, “Interpretations and Applications of 1 Corinthians 14:34–35”)
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