Warning: Wondering Thinking In Progress
MIntheGap brings out an issue that I personally have been revisiting myself. Check out this article. I’ve been doing a little Biblical research of my own over the past few months and being very shocked at what I find.
If you get down into the original texts, AND look at all (all!) the NT references to women in ministry, it would appear that, yes, there were women in ministry/leadership type positions in the NT church. With Paul.
So when Paul then says women shouldn’t be in leadership-type positions, yet was actively working with women in leadership type positions, a thinking person starts to wonder if the NT “commands” against women in ministry weren’t For All Time type commands but rather advice given to correct certain cultural/societal problems during that time and place.
I dunno. I know this is a big huge can of worms, and I’m certainly not in a position to defend ANY side, because I personally don’t have one (I know that’s a cop-out, but since it’s the God-honest-truth, I figure it’s okay to admit). I guess all I’m saying is, it’s an issue worth thinking about, not casually dismissing.
Another way to put it? I don’t think the issue is cut and dried, and I’m saying that from a Scriptural perspective, not a feminist one. Anytime someone pulls a couple verses to the forefront while dismissing others, we oughta do a double take, right? Well, that’s exactly my point. I’m double-taking.
Sometime this week or next, I’ll share some of the particulars from Scripture that have my jaw-dropping and cause me to seriously consider my formerly-conservative position. When it comes down to it, it’s all about the glory of God. If God is glorified by women being silent, then for that and that alone, let’s shut our mouths! The point isn’t (IS NOT!) me getting to flap my jaw (oh, gag!) but it’s about God’s purpose being fulfilled on the earth through the Bride, His Church.
But what women’s silence isn’t God’s intention? What if half of the Church is muzzled by poor translation and cultural-interpretational biases? What if the Scripture is saying that women are full members of the Church in every way?
And, if so, then what a travesty that we teach otherwise.
Now that I’ve taped a big red target sign to my back, I’ll close. I’ve got a sink full of dishes to do, anyways.
