Problems Facing the Church The Role of Women

Problems Facing the Church: The Role of Women

Problems Facing the Church 1. Exegesis- “to lead out of” Bringing out the meaning of any writing. 2. Eisegesis- “to lead into” Injecting one’s own ideas into the text

Problems Facing the Church Who owns the church?

Problems Facing the Church Who owns the church? Jesus Christ Ephesians 5: 23

Problems Facing the Church Who has the authority?

The Word of God a. All authoritative. Matt. 21: 23 -27, Prov. 14: 12 2 Tim. 3: 16, 2 Peter 1: 20 -21 b. Very trustworthy. There are presently 5, 686 Greek manuscripts. Thousands more than any other ancient writings. c. Does not tolerate change. Gen. 4, Matt. 15: 7 -9, 2 Sam. 6: 3 -7, Lev. 10: 1 -3

Jesus promises a helper The Word of God John 14: 6, 26 John 16: 7 Apostles receive the Holy Spirit Acts 2: 4 The disciples devote themselves to the Apostles’ doctorine The New Testament is Acts 2: 42 created

The question this morning: “Are we going to follow the Bible, or not? ”

What the Bible Teaches 1 Timothy 2: 11 -12 a. Women are not allowed to hold positions of authority over man. b. Women can not give instruction to a man. c. Women are encouraged to quietly receive instruction.

What the Bible Teaches 1 Corinthians 14: 34 -35 a. Not permitted to speak in the worship assembly. b. They are to be submissive. c. They bring shame if they do speak.

What’s the problem? Our society is changing, giving more and more authority to women. This attitude is in the religious world as we see more and more women taking authoritative roles.

What’s the problem? Postmodernism is changing how people think. “ A view of the world characterized by a deep distrust of reason, not to mention a disdain for the knowledge that Christians believe that the Bible provides” “Adrift”, by Phil Sanders

What’s the problem? a. Postmodernists preach the Gospel of tolerance. b. However become very intolerant of those the believe in absolute truth. c. Jesus believed and taught absolute truth

What’s the problem? “Postmodern thinkers argue that one’s socioeconomic, ethnic, gender, and educational statuses exert such a dominating influence on his or her interpretation of the world that there can be no abstract, universal statement of truth that applies in every circumstance, or to everyone”. (Garry K. Brantley, Apologetics Press article)

What’s the problem? Because of Postmodern thought, uncertainty has arisen in the churches of Christ today. 1. Baptism and the plan of salvation. 2. Acappella music vs. Instrumental music. 3. The Lord’s supper 4. Women’s involvement in worship 5. Grace, works & obedience.

This is not……. 1. An attack on women’s rights 2. Male chauvinism 3. Anything political 4. The Eldership’s idea 5. A downgrading of women

This is ……. About the Godly roles that were created for males and females and how to carry out those roles to please our almighty God.

The Why? 1 Timothy 2: 11 -13 * “For Adam was formed first” * “Silent” is the same word as “quiet” in 1 Tim. 2: 2. Denotes an attitude of submissiveness.

What about a Bible class? 1 Timothy 2: 11 -12 is not necessarily talking about the church assembling together.

What if an Eldership, a Preacher or a Deacon gives permission for a women to teach or preach? “No one” has the authority to change what the Bible says.

What some people would say… “There is a scriptural justification, a historical justification, traditional and communal justification for women preaching, pastoring and leading. ” - Sarah Bessey, Preacher/Author

What some people would say… “The real truth is that women were very much present and accepted as followers in Jesus and leaders in the early church. Difficult passages take on a new perspective , once we understand the history, culture, and meaning of critical words. ” - Susan E. Crane

What some people would say… “The simple solution to the problem is recognize that the only groups who really argue about this issue are groups of Christians who meet in buildings on Sunday morning and have paid preachers. ” - Jeremy Myers

What some people would say… “It is time for the truth to be told and for people to realize the attack on women is actually from Satan himself” - Joyce Meyers “The Confident Woman”

What some people would say… “As attitudes soften and biblical conviction weakens, Scripture is being reinterpreted to allow for expanded roles of women in worship” - Dr. Dave Miller, Apologetics Press

What some people would say… “It is regrettable that such major attention must be given to the negative side of this issue, but such appears to be necessary in view of prevalent error currently being propagated”. - Wayne Jackson , Preacher/ Author

Denominational churches supporting women preachers and leaders. Mennonite Church USA Episcopal Church USA Alliance of Baptists American Baptist Churches USA Evangelical Catholic Church Evangelical Lutheran Church

Denominational churches supporting women preachers and leaders. African Methodist Episcopal Presbyterian Church United Church of Christ United Methodist Church Disciples of Christ

And then this…. “We realize expanding the role of women in public worship is a refreshing and exciting aspect of “restoring” for many here at Sycamore View, and different, challenging, and even uncomfortable for others. Yet the goal as always is to honor God and glorify Him here, so we trust that we all will be patient as the Lord has His way with us and the voices of our sisters are now welcomed here at Sycamore View. ” Sycamore View church of Christ, Memphis, TN

The Opposing view 2 Timothy 2: 11 -12 1. Paul restricts women because they were uneducated in the 1 st century. 2. Paul only restricted women in Ephesus. 3. Miriam, Deborah, Priscilla, and Phoebe. 4. Paul hated women.

The Opposing view Galatians 3: 27 -28 *For some, this really proves the point. *There is no distinction between men and women, because we are all one. So, men and women should be able to do the same thing.

Does God make a distinction of a woman’s role and a man’s role? a. Husbands. Eph. 5: 25 -28 b. Wives. Eph. 5: 22, 1 Peter 3: 1 c. Elders. 1 Tim. 3: 2 d. Deacons 1 Tim. 3: 12

What can a woman do? 1. Teach Bible class. Children's class, Ladies’ class Christianity is a taught religion. 2. Serve others faithfully. 3. Show hospitality. 4. Provide transportation.

What can a woman do? *Like Deborah, she can serve the Lord in power and speak His word without fear *Like Esther, she can help God’s people *Like Abigail, she can humble herself at the feet of the Lord’s servants.

*Like Lydia, she can be a worshiper of God and open her home to His servants. *Like Tabitha, she can always do good and help the poor.