From: Bjorn.B.Larsen@delab.sintef.no (Bjorn B. Larsen)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Female teachers (was: Re: Men's/Women's Roles in Marriage)
Date: 16 Oct 92 08:16:22 GMT
Reply-To: bjorn.b.larsen@delab.sintef.no
Organization: delab

wagner@grace.math.uh.edu (David Wagner) writes:

> "Bjorn" == Bjorn B. Larsen <bjorn.b.larsen@delab.sintef.no> writes:

> Bjorn> In this discussion of submittance and headship, we should
> Bjorn> remember one small item: The Bible tells a wife to submit to
> Bjorn> *her* husband, not to anybody's husband. In the same way the
> Bjorn> husband is sopposed to lead *his* family, not anybody's family.

> Not quite.  What you say is true regarding families, but the
> Bible does make other statements concerning women's role
> in the church.  1 Timothy 2:11-15 says:

> [ ... ]

> I would say that the basic principle is put forth in v. 11,
> "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission."
> Paul gives a reason: the order of the creation and the 
> facts about the fall.

> Another relevant passage is 1 Cor. 14:33b-36:

> [ ... ]

> There are exegetical problems with this passage as well.  Paul
> appears to forbid all speaking by women in the church.  Yet
> in ch. 11 he speaks of women praying, and not necessarily in
> silence.  This is a manifest absurdity. It may be resolved
> by looking at the context, which has to do with public
> speaking in the church, of such a nature that would require others
> to be quiet and listen, for example, preaching.

> Another difficulty in this passage is that there is no commandment
> that requires women to be silent and remain in submission.
> [ ... ]

> 1 Cor 11, BTW, seems to be an instance where Paul applies the
> same principle to uphold a local custom, in which respectable
> women always wore head-coverings.

If you accept that in 1 Cor 11, Paul writes about women wearing
head-coverings to uphold a local custom, why are you not willing
to consider if Paul in 1 Tim 2, writes to oppose a local custom?
I have herd it over and over again that the women of that time used
to chatter in the church and therefore disturb the meetings. Paul
would then write this to ask them to keep silent. (How anybody 
may possibly know this is far beyond me.)

Then there is the case of Mirijam (sp?), and at least one female
judge. Where these people in opposition to God?

My belief is that God calls whoever He feels like. If He want a man
to be a teacher in our congregation, then it is fine with me. Should
He, however, apooint a woman, then who am I to say: "Sorry God, this
is impossible. In our congregation we have the tradition of not
even considering women for positions like this. You are way off, and
it is best to do it our way."

We all strive to follow God, to do His will. I shall be the first to
admit that it is not always easy to know His will, but even though I
try to comply. He is my Lord and shephard, and if He convince me that
He wants me to do a special job, I want to do it. I would be very
dissapointed if our elders came around to tell me that the Lord should
reconsider His choise. He has promised to give us what we need to 
fullfill His command, if we are willing to accept His guidance and
receive His gifts.

In Him,

Bj{\o}rn
--
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