Women in Ministry Part II Our Founders Were

Women in Ministry – Part II

Our Founders Were leery of organization. Many of them had recently been kicked out of their church. Discovery of new truth left them leery of other churches and their organizations. The emphasis on the nearness of Christ’s coming caused them to downplay the significance of organization.

Changes All this changed pretty quickly when all kinds of fanatics began to preach while calling themselves “Adventists. ” The primary reason for ordination is to recognize those with the spiritual gifts, calling, and commitment, to be trusted as shepherds in the faith. The Adventist church adopted ordination protocol similar to other protestant denominations. The practice of ordination is verified in Scripture.

TOSC Statement Seventh-day Adventists understand ordination, in a biblical sense, as the action of the Church in publicly recognizing those whom the Lord has called and equipped for local and global Church ministry. Aside from the unique role of the apostles, the New Testament identifies the following categories of ordained leaders: the elder/supervising elder (Acts 14: 23; Acts 20: 17, 28; 1 Tim 3: 2 -7; 4: 14; 2 Tim 4: 1 -5; 1 Pet 5: 1) and the deacon (Phil 1: 1; 1 Tim 3: 8 -10). In the act of ordination, the Church confers representative authority upon individuals for the specific work of ministry to which they are appointed (Acts 6: 1 -3; 13: 1 -3; 1 Tim 5: 17; Titus 2: 15).

TOSC Statement continued These may include representing the Church, proclaiming the gospel, administering the Lord’s Supper and baptism, planting and organizing churches, guiding and nurturing members, opposing false teachings, and providing general service to the congregation (cf. Acts 6: 3; 20: 28, 29; 1 Tim 3: 2, 4, 5; 2 Tim 1: 13, 14; 2: 2; 4: 5; Titus 1: 5, 9). www. adventistarchives. org/final-tosc-report. pdf

One Implication The current debate could change the meaning of ordination in our church. Ordination currently means that the ordained minister is deemed safe to do all the things that are commonly expected of ministers anywhere in the world. This would dramatically change if women ordained in regions allowing such tried to minister in regions not allowing ordination of women.

Multiple Types of Ordination is to a task. Local elder Deaconess Teacher Medical evangelist Ordained minister Only the ordination to gospel ministry is at issue. This is not the same as an apostle, but it is the closest that our church has today.

The Texts There are too many to present here in a reasonable time. I will try to give an outline of the major arguments. The creation story Creation order Adam names Eve a helper The warning regarding the enemy is given to Adam. The Fall Part of the consequences that Eve faced were to be subordinate to her husband.

The Exodus, Patriarchy, and the Levitical Priesthood Before the flood – Clear patriarchal system Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as patriarchs The organization of Israel: Chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens The Levitical priesthood. The kings

The New Testament The twelve apostles The seven deacons The gates of the New Jerusalem – 12 tribes The foundations of the New Jerusalem – 12 apostles

Opponents of Women’s Ordination Point to a consistent stream of male leadership of God’s people throughout history Point to patriarchy as instituted by God himself Point to hierarchy in the Trinity, in heaven, and on earth. Remind us that we are still a fallen race. Point to the church as the family of God, indicating that the structure of the family carries over to the church.

Proponents of Women’s Ordination Point out that we can now all “come boldly before throne of grace” Being a Pastor is totally different than being a priest See Paul’s instruction as localized in geography and/or time Take Galatians 3: 28 as the Christian “Magna Carta. ”

Galatians 3: 28– 29 (ESV) 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

1 Timothy 2: 11 -14 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.

“Problem Text” Ways that this is written off Paul was a crazy chauvinist and nothing he says about women should ever be taken seriously. Nobody takes everything he says on the subject as applying today, so we should apply none of it. Paul was speaking for himself, not under the Spirit. “I do not permit. . . ” What Paul was saying was inspired, but had limited applicability in place and/or time.

Women’s Ordination Martin Hanna and Cindy Tutsch, editors Question 55: When Paul said that he did not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over men, he appealed to the fact that Adam was created before Eve, not Eve before Adam. Doesn’t that prove that Eve was created subservient to Adam before sin? Answer: No. First, it is clear from the Bible that in other situations Paul did permit, celebrate, and encourage women to teach mean and to serve in church leadership roles. . . Second, New Testament writers, like modern preachers, often used the words of Old Testament stories or texts to support their own new points. No matter how appropriate the later application, the original story continues to mean what it originally meant.

1 Timothy 2 Fact: If you or I were Timothy, we would come away with a different interpretation of this text than either the proponents or opponents of women’s ordination come away with today. The clear reading of the text is for women to remain in the background. This would eliminate Sabbath School teachers and many other things. Proponents of WO completely toss the text. Opponents of WO keep the text, but soften it by references to other texts. (I Corinthians 11) The question is where to draw the line.

1 Corinthians 11: 3– 5 (ESV) 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

A New Hermeneutic The Principle-Based Historical-Cultural Method

Both sides use cultural context. The question is where to draw the line.

Both “sides” are principle based. The principle of “headship” The egalitarian principle of equality

Where I Stand The exceptions prove the rule. The exceptions demonstrate this issue to be on a lower level than our fundamental doctrines. I am reluctant to write off an entire Bible full of precedent. I am reluctant to write off Paul’s universal reasons as applying only locally. I fully agree with Paul’s interpretation of Genesis 1 to 3. I will support the coming vote. I will not put my private opinion above the collective opinion of the delegates in session. Nor will I expect agreement from others.