There is so much misinformation on the internet and in many Christian circles that it can choke 10 to 15 Clydesdales in one setting. Some of those teachings are centered around spiritual gifts, tongues and women in the ministry. There are Christians, who say that they believe and study the word of the Lord diligently with an intelligent and open disposition who are convinced that gifts, tongues and women in the ministry do not exist under any context within the modern church.
Now, for a fact, there are some complex issues at hand, and I certainly don't mean to minimize the arguments or belittle them that have differing opinions and views on certain issues. After all a person is free to believe what they wish at the end of the day. However, the sad part is that some of the least learned on the issues are the primary ones willing to render the most mis-information. Now, it could be that the problem centers around a person's desire to be faithful to scripture and to not make a mistake. But being faithful without any understanding or knowledge or spiritual advice is just plain old scriptural negligence!
Romans 10:1-4 ~ "1-Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2-For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3-For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4-For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."
When Paul was speaking of those who thought that the righteousness of God could be found by observance of the law and along side the acceptance of Jesus, he accounted that they, his Jewish brethren, certainly had a zeal for God, and seemingly wanted to do right by God, but really didn't have the knowledge of God that it takes to be successful. Where most miss it is that the "knowledge" to which Paul was referencing did not begin in books or systems of educational acumen. The "knowledge" to which Paul was referencing was about the person of Jesus and involved specifically knowing who God was in Christ Jesus, and further knowing Jesus in the fellowship of his suffering and the power of his resurrection.
Phil 3:10 ~ That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
"Knowing Christ" is the only thing that causes one to submit to what Christ has established as opposed to what one "thinks" that is acceptable based ones misunderstanding or misinterpretations of scripture or the misinterpretations of others. This is from where the problem seems to stem...those who "think" they have been enlightened by some system of men's enlightenment, who begin to share what what they believe even promoting misinterpretations devoid of any sense of what Christ actually did. Then, a scripture or two, twisted to ungodly proportions, are often worse than a loaded double barrel sawed off shotgun at close range...just used to create a much larger mess!
I would like to focus on one of those areas where men and the doctrines of men have created such a mess:
Women In The Ministry
One such topic that has been filled with much confusion for ages is the topic of women in the ministry. My church The Church Of God In Christ, has basically refused to undertake the issue and make a formal statement accepting the ordination and public recognition of women as pastors and leaders. Now there are many reasons that a person cannot and will not accept a woman in the ministry. For some it's a matter of personal preference, for others it's a matter of what they have been taught over the years. What I would like to point to in this writing is those who restrict what God is doing in the life of women in the ministry by simply declaring that God hasn't called women to preach, teach or to leadership under any circumstance within the church. For them (and they don't like the comparison) the church is simply a glorified boys or men's only club whereby sexism and "glass ceilings" are scripturally justified based on a selctive and non-contextual use of scripture. In these circles, women are told primarily that they should just be happy that they are saved and sit down and be quiet...,"cause the BIBLE told you so!"...The problem is that the bible has said many things and taking those things out of the context of which they are intended ceates a mess, restrictions and ultimately another gospel that WAS NOT instituted nor ordained by God in any manner.
Here are the two scriptures primarily in question as it pertains to women in ministry:
1 Tim 2:11-15 ~ . 11-Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12-But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13-For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14-And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15-Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
1 Cor. 14:34 ~ 34-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. 35-And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
The part that has been used to make a whole and complete doctrine to the church universal is 1 Tim. 2:12a as highlighted above. Now, the story goes like this:
Because Eve was deceived and Adam sinned by following the woman he was in the role of relinquishing his power and leadership authority. The woman's subjection to the man was a part of the curse (Gen. 3:16) Therefore, Christ dies to establish the order of things, displaying himself as the bridegroom (male figure) of the church (female figure) setting it in order establishing it as the MAN being the head of the woman and ultimately as the spiritual head and authority within the church. Therefore, because Eve was deceived and Adam was out of his place, the proper place for the MAN after restoration is to be the one to instruct the woman and the woman should not try to instruct or lead the man in any way as it pertains to spirituality or instruction of the Lord. And by the way, men and women are only ONE and EQUALS as it pertain to issues of receiving the benefits salvation, but she (a woman) should NEVER attempt to lead a man spiritually in any way because God does not consider the woman qualified or equal in so doing.
What's Wrong With This Picture?
Certainly there is some truth to the statement in general. Eve was deceived as Paul notes and Adam was out of place found in disobedience to God. Christ has certainly come to restore all things and set things in order and establish the role of men and women in the home and within society. However, this, when used improperly, is about the most SEXIST admonition ever encountered because if it is not applied with the idea that submission within marriage is FIRST to God and secondly to one another, (Ephes. 5:21) then one will miss the whole point of what Christ actually commands. Secondly, it's the creation of a whole and complete doctrine built upon a context which was not intended for a universal doctrine to be created. unfortunately, there is some obscurity and an incomplete understanding of what Paul was saying and referring to. I'll get to that in a minute.
Selective Literalism
