women could preach.

Thanks to Pro for the challenge. Hopefully we'll have an enlightening debate on what the Bible says about women preaching in the church. I take the less popular side on this issue, the side that many believe violates today's politically correct, and socially equal, environment. Regardless, a doctrine's popularity is not indicitative of it's truth. I believe the Bible says that women are not to preach, or hold positions of authority within the church structure.Throughout this debate, I will refer to the verses that Pro listed, but I'll also show support from many other verses that support my position, using the KJV. I will also attempt to refute the arguments that Pro uses in support of his position. That said, the burden of proof lies with Pro for upholding the resolution, using the Bible.---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rebuttal First, Pro's argument..."i think Paul was putting his point of view and i think there was a problem going on for him to say that, which he was specific, and said ( I don't allow women teach) he never said (God don't allow it) one thing is paul and another thing is God saying it."1 Corinthians 14:34 states..."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 saith the law." (Emphasis mine)Here Paul is clearly making the statement that women are commanded, under God's law, to be obedient and keep silent in the church. This clearly means that they are not to preach, or hold any position of authority such as priest or bishop. In addition, we can look to what Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:11-14..."Let the woman 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. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."Once again, Paul is admonishing women to remain silent in the church, and says that a woman is not to usurp power over a man. In addition, Paul refers to the created order, and the fact that Eve was the one who gave in to the serpent, as reasons for why God commands that women remain silent in the church. Paul establishes his authority to speak God's word in verse 7 of that same passage..."Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity."Titus 1: 2-3 again establishes Paul's authority to speak as a commandment of God..."In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;..." (Emphasis mine) Saying that Paul is just asserting his own opinion, is an assertion that is not supported by the Bible, and is even refuted within the very verse that Pro used as the example. Paul is clearly saying that this is God's law, not his own, and that he is justly qualified to speak God's word.In the case of women preaching in the church, it's clear that the Bible speaks against it, and that Paul is speaking God's word, not just his own opinion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Opening ArgumentPart of my opening argument is contained in my rebuttal to Pro's opening, but there is also support for my contention in other areas. It's important to remember and be able to discern the difference between verses about church doctrine and church structure. One important area where that boundary is blurred in support of a social agenda is a verse in Galations that many who support women preachers frequently use. Galations 3:27-29 states..."For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Emphasis mine) [1]Here you can see from the context that Paul is referring to the doctrine of justification by faith. In that context, this verse is true, we are all equal in the eyes of God. This verse has nothing to do with church structure, however, or how a woman should act in church, and should not be read in that context. Ephesians 5: 23-24..."For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.Here there is a comparison of structure between how Christ heads the church, man heads the family, and the woman is subject to the husband in all things. All things must necessarily include the church, in which she is forbidden to take authority over a man, as shown in the earlier verse from 1 Timothy. Titus 1: 5-9..."For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful, children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Emphasis mine)Here we see that elders and bishops must be "the husband of one wife", and is always referred to as "he". A woman cannot possibly be a husband, therefore, women are clearly ruled out as serving in authority within the church structure. A preacher is clearly a position of authority within the church, so from Biblical teaching, it's very clear that women are not to serve in these positions.There are over 500 references to preachers, bishops, elders, and overseers, in the Bible, and all of them refer to those positions being held by men. One big reason is that women are told, in the Bible, to be the keepers of the home. They are to care for the home and the family, and as such a duty is time consuming, they would not have time to also adequately tend to a flock of parishoners. This may not be popular in today's society, where equality demands a removal of any gender roles, but again popularity is not the deciding issue when it comes to biblical doctrine. It's important that we not come to the Bible with a preconcieved social agenda, and try to make the Bible into something that supports that agenda. Instead, Christians should first look at the Bible, then base their social agenda on what is in keeping with Biblical teachings. Looking for small little details that might allow our agenda to be acceptable, can cause us to overlook the blatant and obvious admonitions of such an agenda. I believe that is the case with the issue of women preaching and holding positions of authority within the church. While well-meaning, it is not how God set up His church, therefore it can't be said that it is acceptable and supported by the Bible.I look forward to Pro's response. 1. http://www.biblegateway.com...