PART ONE
The Letter vs The Spirit
INTRODUCTION
The question of a
woman’s place in the body of Christ has long been a catalyst for
contention and wounded lives. It’s an issue that won't reduce to
superficial sound-bites. Opinions are strong on all sides. However,
one thing is obvious: In the face of centuries of pathological male
chauvinism, Jesus’ treatment of women was unprecedented and
revolutionary. His utter respect, tenderness and servant attitude
toward all women is one of the most astounding cultural provocations
in history.
The essence of this
debate revolves around two opposing ways that believers approach the
Bible: The letter versus the spirit.
THE LETTER
Jesus exposed a
paramount deception regarding Bible interpretation when he challenged
the religious leaders to “Search the scriptures; for in them you
think you have eternal life. . . and yet you will not come to me,
that you might have life." (John 5:39-40)
Because the pharisees were obsessed with the letter of the law
rather than the spirit of the law, their approach to scripture
was dangerously flawed. In spite of their extraordinary knowledge of
the written word, they failed to recognize the Living Word as He
stood in their very midst! Sadly, much of the church is blinded by
this same mind-set.
Seeking to
transform the New Testament into a discreet set of doctrines and
principles is legalism. This approach appeals to the intellect,
because it offers the fleshly “security” of
regulations (laws). We mistakenly assume that our mind is able to
devise an accurate systematic theology. But such thinking can produce
nothing more than “a form of godliness.” Legalism elevates the
letter of the law above all other parameters and thereby becomes an
idol. This is why the Bible warns, (and history sadly confirms) that
“the letter kills. . .” A legalistic approach to scripture
always leads to error and bondage. To base your Christian walk on
patterns and formulas is to replace faith with a form of witchcraft.
See Galatians 3:1-2.
Am I implying that we can interpret scripture according to our emotional whims? Absolutely not. The Bible is the word of God and must be taken with utmost reverence. But, unveiling biblical truth is not always obvious. It requires diligence, passion for Truth, and a pure open heart.
THE SPIRIT
When we see all
scripture as a unified revelation of The Living Word, Jesus Christ,
we have the key to understanding the spirit of the Bible. Our
theology must reflect His character, because in Jesus all legalism is
fulfilled by supernatural Love. “Love is the
fulfillment of the law.” (Romans
13:10) The New Testament is not a legal script, nor a
theology text of inflexible dogma. It’s essentially an anthology of
subjective testimonies of encounters with God, that only make sense
when our own divine insight identifies with the writer’s
experience. Such thinking may seem heretical to a biblical
bureaucrat. But, without the illumination of God’s Spirit in us, we
are left to the deceptive devices of our fallen mind to unravel
scripture, because “The natural mind receives not the things of
the Spirit of God. . . neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:14)
Paul's
epistles are “not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but
which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual
things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13)
“Comparing” is the role of human reason as it submits to
spiritual revelation. God
is not illogical, but our logic is limited to the scope of our
spiritual
vision.
The
language of the human spirit is image and symbolism. Written
words are merely symbols. There's no life in the ink, or even in a
concept; they're just inert
images
of reality. If a symbol was perfect it would literally be truth, not
just an impotent shadow. Therefore, we don't worship the Bible.
Knowing
and believing the truth behind words is what gives words power.
Biblical
manuscripts (translated symbols) may be imperfect, yet the truth
behind them is pure and unadulterated. Human
language is a marred and fragmentary expression of fallen man, but if
it's inspired by the Holy Spirit, it can be understood via the Holy
Spirit. Jesus said “Everyone
that is of the truth hears my voice.”(5)
That's
the key to the Bible!
INTERPRETATION
WISDOM
Thankfully
we don’t have to settle for second-hand indoctrination. All
believers have access to first-hand empirical knowledge of the Truth.
Christianity is not a mental concept, but an intimate subjective
relationship with God. Those who idolize the intellect and fear
supernatural revelations, find this hard to swallow, because their
hope is in the pretentious god of intellectual reasoning. Thankfully, God
lovingly confounds the “wise” so our hearts will be receptive to
the Spirit behind scripture.
Yes,
God “has placed His word above His
name,”(Psalm 138:2 KJV) but
not above His presence! When the Bible, together with our re-born
spirit and our brain, becomes a three-fold cord, Truth will manifest.
Sound doctrine is available to all who diligently seek Him who
is Truth, and doctrine is limited to the Bible. (1
Tim 1:10; 2 Tim 4:3; Titus 1:9, 2:1) “Rightly
dividing the word of truth” is
an attainable goal, but it must include the entire Bible.
(2 Timothy2:15) “The
sum of your word is truth.” (Psalm
119:160)
By comparing
scripture with scripture, incongruities and apparent contradictions
arise, frustrating unenlightened logic. The Bible is no ordinary book
of mans’ creation, but is a hyper-dimensional expression of Him who
is full of grace and love. Thankfully God is not a heartless
bureaucrat, but He treats His children with personalized and perfect
wisdom. The ambiguities and paradoxes do not violate His wisdom, but
confirm it. Our petty and simplistic efforts to grasp and catalog the
Bible’s contents are mocked by its profound complexity and eternal
depth.
The life of Jesus
continually confounded the preconceptions of the religious mind. He
fulfilled the Law, because He was the Spirit of the Law. He is
eternal, holy and unfathomable; and to try to reduce Him to dogmatic
formulas is to nullify the
finished work of Christ.
As we grapple with
the difficult verses regarding women, remember Jesus said, “The
words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life .”
(John 6:63) Jesus died to set women free by the
“perfect law of liberty.”
(James 1:25; 2:12)
"Then
opened He their understanding, that they might understand the
Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)
A MISUNDERSTOOD CONCEPT
“Unto the
woman He said, I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your
conception; in sorrow you shall bring forth children, and
your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over
you.” (Genesis
3:16)
Please understand,
this verse is not a command or a license for men to enforce. To the
contrary, it is simply a prophetic statement of the tragic
consequences of the Fall. Its fulfillment has been undeniable and
universal. Since the beginning, men have abused their God-given
position, imposing themselves upon women, intimidating them into
subjection.
But Jesus died to release men and women from this tragedy. Genesis 3:16 is not the kingdom of God. In His kingdom the curse is broken, joy triumphs over sorrow, and husbands don’t rule over their wives. In His kingdom loving servanthood prevails, from the least to the greatest. Control, manipulation and coercion are impossible where love reigns. Jesus will not violate the sanctity of man’s free will, but He patiently stands at the door and knocks. Husbands must follow His example.
Like Jesus, husbands are to be “gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy.” (James 3:17) Domination of one person by another is anti-Christ. He who is Lord of all creation said, “Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart.” (Mt 11:29) The fragrance of loving mutual submission must permeate the entire kingdom of God. . . “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God...” (Eph 5:21)
It is in this kingdom context of corporate submission, that we find the famous verse admonishing wives to submit to their husbands. (Eph 5:22) However, if submission is mutual and corporate, (verse 21) why are only wives told to submit? The answer can only be inferred. Certainly most women have found the notion of submission offensive, because they have suffered the effects of selfish men.
However, it
should also be noted that in a similar context, husbands are told to
“love your wives and be not bitter against them.” (Col
3:19) Why, on the other hand, are only husbands singled out
regarding love? Again, we must infer. But you would expect coldness
in a man whose wife resists his selfish dominance.
It seems apparent that these verses are not gender exclusive, but rather address vulnerabilities peculiar to each gender. Submission and love are mandates for all Christians. How can you be a Godly servant without both virtues?
Since the Bible repeatedly proclaims that “God is no respecter of persons”, you would therefore expect Him to be no respecter of gender. And that is exactly what Paul affirms by declaring: “There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus...” (Gal 3:28) Elevation in God’s kingdom is based on faithfulness and love, not gender or title. (Mt 25:14-23; Jn 15:14) The Bible says that women are “fellow heirs of the grace of life.” (I Pet 3:7) That leaves no room for gender discrimination in the Spirit. The “Message” translation puts it this way: “But in the new life of God’s grace, you’re equals. Treat your wives, then as equals so your prayers don’t run aground.”
HEADSHIP
When we are told that “The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,” (Eph 5:23) it has absolutely nothing to do with a woman’s value or her access to God. Male headship is merely a function of family government. Christ is the head of the church, and the husband is the head of the family. It is a position to be respected, but it is also a position of servanthood. “And whosoever will be chief (head) among you, let him be your servant.” (Mt 20:27; 23:11) One’s position or office does not confer true spiritual authority. Without humility and love, your position is merely an empty legality. Husbands are servant-leaders accountable to God for their behavior.
Paul’s analogy of headship is obviously limited. To carry it to an extreme would be blasphemy. The husband is to typify Christ, not replace Him. The husband is neither his wife’s intermediary, nor her spiritual head. Headship is a natural earthly relationship. It cannot extend into the spiritual realm because there is no male or female in the Spirit. The wife may be the “weaker vessel” (i.e. physical body), but she is not necessarily weaker spiritually.
The husband does not have headship over his wife in matters of faith and conscience, anymore than a pastor does over a congregation. If anyone had a right to exercise such authority it was the Apostle Paul, yet he said “We (leaders) have no dominion over your faith.” (2 Cor 1:24) The secret place of faith and conscience is sacred between each believer and God, and any intrusion into that place by headship, either in church or marriage, is cultic and anti-Christ. Autocratic control is the hallmark of Satan’s domain, and it is nowhere to be found in God’s kingdom.
ABRAHAM AND SARAH
In the relentless drive to subjugate women, no scripture has been more twisted than I Peter 3:6: “Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord...”
We know from the context that this verse is an obvious call for women to return to the profound respect (and modesty) common to earlier generations. All cultures experience this inevitable moral decline, where Godly respect and humility are replaced by cynicism, impudence and finally flagrant rebellion. Apparently respect for husbands by wives was such a problem among those early believers.
However, only part of the verse has been quoted, and unfortunately many preachers stop there. Based only on the first half of I Peter 3:6, we might conclude that wives, by emulating Sarah, should blindly submit to their husbands. After all, she called Abraham “lord.” But in this case, “lord” was simply a common title of respect. It is the very same Hebrew word Rebecca used in addressing a slave, saying “Drink my lord.” (Genesis 24:18)
The second half of this verse is vital to our understanding, because it explains what a true spiritual daughter of Abraham is:
“. . . whose daughters you are, as long as you do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”
What was it that Sarah did “well” in the face of fear, that was forever recorded as a hallmark of a Godly wife? Very simply, she was faithful to God in spite of intimidating circumstances surrounding her husband.
In the face of an extremely volatile family drama, Sarah stood on a word from God and stridently confronted her husband. Read the account in Genesis 21:10-12. Confident of the will of God, Sarah admonished Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son.” And God backed her by commanding Abraham to “Listen to whatever Sarah tells you.” Sarah combined respect and bold confrontation, and God says both are required if you are to be considered her spiritual daughter. If you truly respect someone you will confront them with the truth when love and justice require it.
Paul’s statement
that “We must obey God rather than Man,” applies to all
levels of authority. A wife’s obedience to her husband is not blind
and absolute, but is contingent upon the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The key to submission is a loving attitude, not passive resignation
or false piety.
If a husband is not
walking with God, what is a Godly wife to do? She does the same as
Sarah. She continually shows respect (i.e. the fruit of the Spirit),
yet maintains integrity by speaking the word of God as the Holy
Spirit prompts. Whether it is the husband or wife speaking the truth,
it must be done in humility and love or it becomes nothing more than
a destructive hammer.
When we allow ourselves to be in bondage to another person’s control we grieve God and repudiate the precious sacrifice of Jesus. Paul said, "by love serve one another." (Gal 5:13) True love cannot flow until we are free from the emotional manipulations of others. Fear must be replaced by love.
Every husband has a
responsibility to awaken his wife's love before he can expect her
submission. The mystery of marriage is symbolized by the husband
representing Jesus the bridegroom and the wife representing the
Church (Eph 5:31-33) Jesus' love for us is
not dependent upon our love for Him. "We love
him, because he first loved
us." (1 John 4:19) Therefore, the
obligation to love is initiated by the husband. Unloving husbands are
the primary cause of our culture's disintegration.
PART THREE The Silencing of Women
THE CORINTHIAN
PROBLEM
(1
Corinthians 14:34-37) “Let
your women keep silence in
the churches: for it is
not permitted unto them to speak;
but they are commanded to be under obedience, as
also says the law. And
if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for
it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
. . . what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.”
This passage naturally requires analysis. It has no legal exclusion clause. At face value it clearly, without concession, forbids all wives from any vocal expression in church. Period! It must be either taken literally or spiritual mitigation is the only alternative.
Two
key questions need resolution:
- Can a New Testament verse be limited to its cultural context? Is this passage really meant to be applied universally to all women for all times? Legalism would say “Yes!” The Spirit would say, “Ask for Wisdom.”
- Why does the overall theme of 1st Corinthians contradict the command for wives to be silent in church? Apparent Biblical contradictions are not error, but reveal multifaceted applications. Prophecies often have both historical and future applications, and parables are expressed in outdated cultural symbols. The Bible contains both general and specific wisdom.
Ideally, everyone is to vocally participate in
church gatherings, but it's conditional.
WOMEN'S FREEDOM
TO SPEAK IN CHURCH:
The premise of chapter fourteen is undeniably the vocal expression of spiritual gifts, for both male and female. The context is when “the whole church comes together.”
The premise of chapter fourteen is undeniably the vocal expression of spiritual gifts, for both male and female. The context is when “the whole church comes together.”
(1
Cor 14:5; 23-31 NIV) “I
would like every one of you
to speak in
tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. . .If the WHOLE
CHURCH comes
together. . . and everyone
speaks in tongues.
. . while everybody
is prophesying. . .
What then shall we say, brothers?
When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or
a doctrine (teaching), a revelation... if
revelation comes to someone. . . You can all
prophesy.”
In this passage, "Brothers”
is clearly a generic term that includes women.
(Gen
5:2) "Male and female created He them, and blessed them and called their name Adam in the day when they were created." Brethren
in
Greek means, “People of same nationality, kinsman, community
based.”
So,
if women are definitely encouraged to speak in open public meetings,
the verses contradicting such freedom must be a cultural exception. Therefore, 1 Corinthians 14:34-37 cannot be a universal command for
women to always be silent in church.
Furthermore,
even the Old Testament agrees that women have the right to vocally
minister to men. A pivotal blessing in Jewish history came through
the prophetess Hulda
speaking the word of the Lord exclusively to a group of men,
including the king. (II
Chron 34:20-22)
If women were to have no such vocal authority, how do you explain the
prophetesses Miriam
and Noadiah,
and God anointing Deborah
as a Judge over all Israel?
LOVE
IS THE KEY!
The
entire Law was fulfilled by LOVE! With love as the spiritual
context, together with other verses contradicting absolute women's
silence, I must conclude that a cultural interpretation is valid, as
long as love is the matrix.
It's
not about laws and regulations, it's about LOVE flowing from the Holy
Spirit through us! The epic LOVE chapter is our standard for
relating to all cultural diversities. (1
Cor 13)
It's
compelling that in 1st
Corinthians God's pivotal wisdom is: “All
things are lawful,”
but not all things are helpful. “All
things are lawful,”
but not all things build up.”
(1
Cor 10:23)
“All
things are lawful but
not everything is beneficial. All
things are lawful
for
me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” (1
Cor 6:12) It's
highly significant that the phrase "All things are lawful"
is repeated four times in the very epistle in question!
Our
amazing freedom in Christ is limited to LOVE! “Be
humble, and honor others more than yourselves.”
(Phil
2:3) Unlike America, the cultural climate surrounding the early church was harsh male
dominance. Women were considered inferior and treated as slaves.
Love says, “Were
you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although
if
you can gain your freedom,
do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord
is the Lord’s freed person.” (1
Cor 7:21-22) God
wants to set women free from male enslavement, but men must loose
them! In Christ, women have been liberated to speak freely, but it's
limited to love.
So,
what does love have to do with women not speaking in that first
century church culture? I surmise that it's love for both new
believers and non-believes. For the local church to impact such an
evil misogynistic city, it would have to be sensitive to their sexist
culture. Thus,
Paul humbly admitted,
“Though I was free from all
men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might
gain the more.” (1 Cor 9:19) That's
the point!
"Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them . . . so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." (Titus 2:9-10)
Women's freedom should be expressed with love and empathy toward the unsaved and the weak in faith. We cannot endorse sin, but we must love the sinner. Women fully expressing their vocal freedom in Christ would have been a profound insult to such a society, hindering their receptivity to the whole Gospel. If we exercise our blood bought freedom apart from love, we risk becoming culturally rebellious, and quenching the Holy Spirit.
"Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them . . . so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." (Titus 2:9-10)
Women's freedom should be expressed with love and empathy toward the unsaved and the weak in faith. We cannot endorse sin, but we must love the sinner. Women fully expressing their vocal freedom in Christ would have been a profound insult to such a society, hindering their receptivity to the whole Gospel. If we exercise our blood bought freedom apart from love, we risk becoming culturally rebellious, and quenching the Holy Spirit.
When Paul said: “What I am writing to you is the Lord’s command,” (1 Cor 14:37) what exactly was that command? It's the entire book of 1 Corinthians, including chapter fourteen. And what is the Spirit of that context? It's love, edification, decency, order, respect, and sensitivity to others in a culture that was Isis-like and Pharisee-like. Corinth was one of the most decadent cities in the ancient world, hosting the temple of Aphrodite, that boasted of 1,000 prostitutes - a relevant fact to our interpretation.
Our
freedom is not a license to offend a culture. “Do
not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of
God.” (1 Cor 10:32) However, in
our 21st century Western culture, to categorically
subjugate women (1 Cor 14:34-37) is to dishonor the Blood bought liberty of women.
The
Message translation aptly summarizes this cultural dilemma: “Wives
must not disrupt worship, talking when they should be listening,
asking questions that could more appropriately be asked of their
husbands at home. God’s Book of the law guides our manners and
customs here. Wives have no license to use the time of worship for
unwarranted speaking. Do you—both women and men—imagine that
you’re a sacred oracle determining what’s right and wrong? Do you
think everything revolves around you?” (1
Corinthians 34-37)
Regarding
women's head coverings: (1
Cor 11:16 KJV) “But if any man seem to be contentious, we
have no such custom, neither the churches of
God.” Regardless of how you
translate that verse, 'custom'
is the key word, revealing that cultural customs can be legitimate
church practices, yet not necessarily inviolable universal laws. In
our modern Western culture, head coverings are generally irrelevant.
ADVICE TO TIMOTHY
“Let the women
learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not
a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man,
but to be in silence.” (1
Timothy 2:11-12)
This appears to be
more subjective and less restrictive than 1st Corinthians
fourteen where absolute silencing of women is mandated. Yet, the
salient question is: Does this passage forbid all women, everywhere,
at all times from public ministry?
We must take
seriously any doctrine which has the potential of silencing and
destroying God ordained and anointed ministries. Any leader who
categorically resists the Holy Spirit in another, places himself in
great jeopardy. “Touch not mine anointed,” applies to ALL
anointed servants, regardless of their title! If you judge the
anointing of a woman minister as demonic, you're blaspheming the Holy
Spirit. (Mark 3:22-30)
Jesus said, “wisdom
is justified of all her children...” (Luke 7:35)
In other words, to those who have ears to hear, wisdom is simply
self-evident. Eternal truth stands on its own, and needs no human
verification. It should be obvious that not all of Paul’s
statements represent universal moral imperatives. When we compare all
of his epistles a pattern emerges confirming this point. Romans and
Galatians clearly contain general church doctrine conveyed in such a
way as to exclude exceptions. They are presented as coming directly
from God, with human reference conspicuously absent, as if Paul had
stepped aside while Absolute Truth was paraded before us. However,
his letters to Timothy and Corinth are directed at specific personal
and local church issues, requiring managerial wisdom from Paul, and
must be interpreted from that perspective.
It's highly
reasonable that Paul’s intent in writing to Timothy, was NOT to
establish foundational doctrine. Therefore, it should not be
construed as a mandate prohibiting women teachers for all time
in all churches. When he said “I do not suffer a woman to
teach,” he was merely offering Timothy some local leadership
wisdom and policy. It may not be wise in some cases to let women
teach. But it’s not categorically forbidden, because Pricilla
taught men (Acts 18:26), and teaching was
encouraged for all church members in I Corinthians 14:26. The present
tense of the verb could also be translated: “I am not allowing
women to teach,” suggesting it’s a temporary restraint.
GODDESS WORSHIP
Paul’s reason for silencing women at Ephesus has incited as much debate as the prohibition itself:
“For
Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was
not deceived, but the woman being deceived
was in transgression. But she will be saved by
The Childbearing, if they continue in faith and
love and holiness with sound-mindedness." (1
Tim 2:13-15) She will be saved by the birth of the
Child (Jesus) - not by having her own children.
Why would he link
this issue to Adam and Eve? The answer is in the context. The
unmistakable theme of 1st Timothy from beginning to end,
is heresy and false teachings in the Ephesian church. Paul warns them
of “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils,” and he
exposes those “desiring to be teachers of the law.” Finally,
he exhorts Timothy not to even tolerate teachers of false doctrine.
(6:3-5) This church was in critical condition
doctrinally, and the banning of women teachers was apparently
related.
Paul’s reference
to Genesis 3 seems to say that an inherent propensity for deception
disqualifies women from teaching. However, it’s not that simple. If
women are so easily deceived, why are they encouraged to teach
impressionable young women? (Titus 2:3-4) And why
would “deception prone” women be exhorted to prophesy, (I
Cor 14) yet not allowed to teach?
The original Greek offers some provocative clues. According to scholars, and newer translations, “woman” should be translated “wife” (in I Timothy 2:12), significantly restricting the relevance and scope of the passage. But it is even more enlightening when we unveil the Greek definition of “to ursurp authority.” The original word (authentein) is found no where else in the entire Bible, and has a coarse and vulgar connotation denoting sexual manipulation. This dramatically alters the traditional view of that verse. Apparently, women (wives) were using sexual license to gain advantage over husbands (usurping). Furthermore, it’s implied that such beguilement was actually part of some teaching.
Sexual extortion by
women to gain spiritual power has been a recurrent Biblical theme.
It's a literal demonic principality infiltrating the fabric of both
Old and New Testaments. It first appears as the goddess Ashtoreth, (1
Sam 7:3; 2 Kings 23:13) a predominate pagan force, which
interestingly worked its wiles through wives. “When Solomon was
old his wives turned away his heart after other gods. . . for Solomon
went after Ashtoreth the goddess.” (1 Kings
11:4-5)
In Jeremiah
(44:15-19) we see this same diabolical power
manifest as the “Queen of Heaven." Again it is wives who come
under its spell, provoking them to openly defy the word of the Lord,
and seduce the “fathers, kings and princes” to worship this
goddess. This spirit, which is essentially witchcraft, gains even
more infamy by possessing Jezebel. Through “witchcraft and
whoredoms” Jezebel forever became a byword, and the archetype
usurper of men. (1 Kings 21; 2 Kings 9:22)
In the Gospels, I
believe we see this same religious spirit, as it seeks to draw
worship away from Jesus unto itself, by elevating Mary above the
Savior - the ultimate usurpation! This demon speaking through a woman
declares: “Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps
which you have sucked” (Lk 11:27) But
Jesus’ response curtly nullifies any mediator or goddess status
regarding Mary: “. . . rather blessed are they that hear the
word of God and keep it.” (verse 28)
In Revelation,
Jesus himself exposes this doctrine of devils when He says, “You
suffers that woman Jezebel which calls herself a prophetess, to
teach and to seduce my servants
to commit fornication.” (Rev 2:20) Here the
combination of women teaching and sexually violating God’s servants
is clearly seen.
However, we find the greatest incarnation of this goddess spirit at Ephesus, the very city where Paul disallowed women teachers because they apparently were acting like Jezebel. Ephesus had become the demonic stronghold of Diana the goddess “whom all Asia and the whole world worships.” . . .and the masses cried out, “great is Diana of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:27-28) Is there any doubt this evil influence was infiltrating the church at Ephesus? Is there any doubt that women were especially vulnerable to its deception? This goddess mediator theme has been one of the prime satanic strategies of the ages, culminating in the Great Whore of Revelation.
However, we find the greatest incarnation of this goddess spirit at Ephesus, the very city where Paul disallowed women teachers because they apparently were acting like Jezebel. Ephesus had become the demonic stronghold of Diana the goddess “whom all Asia and the whole world worships.” . . .and the masses cried out, “great is Diana of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:27-28) Is there any doubt this evil influence was infiltrating the church at Ephesus? Is there any doubt that women were especially vulnerable to its deception? This goddess mediator theme has been one of the prime satanic strategies of the ages, culminating in the Great Whore of Revelation.
Paul takes us back
to Eve because any doctrine of a female mediator would ultimately
justify itself in the veneration of Eve - the mother of all humanity.
But notice, the issue here is false doctrine, not women teaching per
se. The error is what they are teaching, not that they
are teaching. The deception of Eve has nothing to do with women's
ability to teach. But it has everything to do with Eve’s
fallibility. The priority of Adam, coupled with Eve’s
deception negates any goddess status assumed for Eve. That is
Paul's point!
You cannot deny
women their right to teach based on some inherent gender defect,
because no such defect exists. In fact, Eve’s gullibility is
linked to the entire church, male and female, in 2 Corinthians 11:3:
“I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived. . . your minds may
somehow be led astray.” Deception is common to both genders,
and usurping authority is sin for both genders. ”There is no
temptation. . . but such as is common to man.” (1
Cor 10:13) Paul used Eve’s deception simply to disprove a
false teaching, that apparently idolized and glorified Eve.
This passage is a
theological problem only for those who view the Bible as a legal
document. Why is it that many who forbid women teachers, often
neglect similar commandments by Paul, such as?
“I will that
men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands..”
“Covet to
prophesy, and forbid not to speak in tongues.”
Paul’s advice to
Timothy was certainly not reactionary, but no doubt was motivated by
apostolic love for the Ephesian church. Unlike many modern leaders,
Paul was not threatened by the liberation of women. Fear of the
Jezebel spirit will only produce oppression and paranoia, and to
ignore it will destroy ministries. The church errs in both extremes.
However, we don’t defeat Satan by laws, we do it by the Holy
Spirit. This edict (1 Tim 2:11-12) was not a universal moral law, it
was the wisdom of the Holy Spirit for a particular time and place.
PART FOUR
Conclusion
Even though we see
through a glass darkly, sound doctrine is attainable (1
Tim 1:10; Tit 2:2) if we seek Him. And sound doctrine will
produce good fruit. What has been the fruit of churches oppressing
women? And what has been the fruit where women have been given
liberty to minister? The answer is obvious. Even the world sees how
the religious bureaucracy treats women, and they are appalled. It
doesn’t always take spiritual eyes to recognize such religious
bondage, but it does take spiritual eyes to be delivered from false
doctrine.
Jesus consistently
honored the dignity and right of all women to express themselves to
the glory of God. It was a woman, not the male disciples, to whom
Jesus first disclosed He was the Messiah (John 4:26) “I
that speak unto thee am He.” And from that divine encounter,
this outcast woman at the well became, in essence, the first
missionary. “The woman then left her water pot, and went her way
into the city, and said to the men . . . and
many believed on Him for the saying of the woman.” (Jn
4:28-29, 39)
And as a fitting
rebuke of Jewish tradition, Jesus chose a women of questionable
repute (Mary Magdalene) to receive the very first revelation, and
give the first public testimony of His resurrection, and thereby the
first evangelistic message! (John 20:17; Luke 24:10)
“Go to my brethren and say unto them...”
Then, on the Day of
Pentecost, this precious unprecedented liberation of women was boldly
proclaimed and forever established, as Peter explained: “This is
that spoken by the prophet Joel...your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy...and on your handmaidens I
will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy...”
(Acts 2:17-18)
There was to be no
misunderstanding. The Old Testament predicted it, Jesus demonstrated
and purchased it, and at Pentecost the Holy Spirit enacted it.
Anointed public speaking from God’s heart to a dying world is the
ministry of all redeemed men and women. Paul certainly wouldn’t
contradict this profound blood-bought freedom. His advice to the
Corinthian church and Timothy was never intended to eclipse the
finished work of Jesus Christ.
Remember, all
contentions over the woman question are essentially carnal. This is
why Paul chided the Corinthians, “I could not speak unto you as
unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”
(1 Cor 3:1) Nevertheless, we need to be cautious
not to over spiritualize the woman question to the exclusion of
obvious differences in the flesh. “Does not even nature itself
teach you. . .”
It’s noteworthy
that in spite of the liberation of women by Jesus Christ, the Bible
has a glaring patriarchal theme. For example: a male priesthood, 70
male elders, virtually all male prophets, 12 male apostles, and male
deacons. It would be unwise to simply ignore this precedent.
Libertarian schemes
to merge and obscure genders are foolishness, because there are
irrefutable generalities defining male and female roles. Males tend
to be leaders, providers and warriors, while females tend to be
nurtures, comforters, and domesticators.
Nevertheless, God
created each of us with wonderfully unique and sublime qualities, and
He does not relate to us in generalities. To stereotype an individual
is to not see them at all, and reveals a blindness to His creative
genius. If we are to behold the image of God in each person, we must
look beyond our carnality which compels us to categorize and judge.
When Paul rebuked
the Corinthians for their immaturity regarding these issues, he also
provided a remedy. . . “For I am determined not to know anything
among you, except Jesus Christ, and
Him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2) That is a lofty
goal. But if we will resolve to see each other in the Spirit and not
after the flesh, great liberty and blessing will result.
In Christ our
concepts of self-identity, self-worth and status, are no longer
perverted by sin. It was only after the Fall that isolation, sorrow
and strife defined all relationships. But in the Garden, Adam and Eve
dwelt in unimaginable harmony, equality, vulnerability and joy. The
theological questions and gender distinctions we grapple with were
irrelevant in the Garden. . . and so are they in Heaven! “Thy
will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Amen!!
Copyright 2004 by Hayden Humphrey
Copyright 2004 by Hayden Humphrey
Edited
2016 by Hayden Humphrey