What is the proper role of women in the church? (See details.)?

Question

"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." (1 Cor. 14:34)

Do you or your church adhere to this? Why or why not?

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Well, gang, this is quite a mish-mash.
Many see this verse as a deal-breaker with Christianity. Others offer a variety of justifications, some of which make no sense. (E.g., the Corinthian church was mostly Gentiles, not Jews.)

So this little conundrum established by St. Paul, by those who included his writings in the Bible, and by those who interpret the Bible has left the various Christians & churches caught in the same mish-mash from the beginning of the church. Only in the late 20th century were women ordained in the Episcopal Church. Many denominations still insist that women may not speak. One church in 2006 fired a female Sunday School teacher after over 40 years of conducting her class because they decided this verse should have prevented her from a leadership role.

So as an outsider to the church, i wouldn't deign to decide the best answer. I will put this question to a vote, and may the best answer emerge.

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Answer 1

according to Paul, their role is to shut up in church, becuse "it is shameful for women to speak in church. they are to ask questions of their husbands later, at home..."

Yep. another bible cult rule that christians don't follow, BUT, when Paul talks about Gays, then it must be taken literally.

RIGHT!

christians are such two-faced hypocrites...

Answer 2

There are historical and cultural issues behind this, on the one hand.
On the other, as Christ was a servant/leader for His bride, the church, so a man in his role of husband is to be the servant/leader to his bride.
My church believes everyone has gifts that are God-given and that SHOULD be identified and developed and used for the good of the entire body.
It's about time the new Adams actually stepped FORWARD and, not only assumed a position of leadership after the manner of Christ but also, stepped between their brides and Satan. The first Adam just stood and watched, doing NOTHING, while Satan messed with his bride and their perfect, intimate walk with God.
I WANT to hear the women in my church sing praise, speak words of prophesy and knowledge, lead and mentor other women, prayerfully intercede.
I do believe men and women should be complete in and of themselves, especially with their relationships with God. But, in the bigger picture, they're almost two halves of the whole glory and plan of God and it's vital that they both walk out their roles cooperatively.

Answer 3

This seems to touch also on church organization.
I have heard it said that the women kept talking to their husbands and being a distraction for others. I cannot prove that.
For a more complete understanding, consider that many of the people Paul names in the letters are women, and it was also a woman that he used to carry the letter of Romans to the Romans. He certainly was no woman-hater, as he has been charged with lately.
No, the churches I have been in do not adhere to this, but then we don't "greet each other with a holy kiss" either. But ultimately, everything must be done "decently and in order"

Answer 4

This is an archaic law referencing the way older churches were designed. It used to be that women sat high in the back and men were down front - this made it nearly impossible without the benefit of microphone technology for women to hear the teaching and the women to the front who could hear would repeat back the the women behind them. This caused much chatter above the teachers heads and was a distraction to the teacher. This admonishment is rarely followed today.

Answer 5

I don't think you can take the verse out of context. I know that I don't keep silent in the church as I am active in the Children's Department. The fact is that men as a whole are not involved in the department. There are only 2 men who teach in the Children's Department. If women were to remain silent our children wouldn't get the gospel unless they were under 4 or in grades 6-8.

Answer 6

The role of women in all the three monotheistic constructs is the prime reason behind why I never accepted any of it.

How is it possible that my vital role in the procreation of our species is not only NOT considered equal to a man's role but is thought to be lower than second class? Could it be due to the fact that in all three monotheistic religions, god is cast in the role of a man? Ya think?!

Where is the Divine Feminine in all of this hogwash?

Answer 7

First you need to understand the situation. In Corinth the men and women sat in different sections and if they didn't understand something they would yell across to their husbands. Paul was telling the Corinthians women to be quiet in church and ask their husbands at home.

No my church doesn't adhere to this because of the above, it related to the Corinthian Church. One of our pastors is a woman and she does a fantastic job. Deborah was one of the Judges of Israel and did a great job.

Answer 8

PAUL WAS SPEAKING ABOUT THE LAW WHICH LAW? THE JEWISH LAW WHICH STATED THAT ABOUT WOMEN, WE ARE SUPOSE TO BE UNDER CHRIST LAW THAT ALL ARE EQUAL IN GODS EYES, WE ARE DOING A INDEPTH STUDIE ON THIS RIGHT NOW, AMONG THE APOSTLES THERE WERE WOMEN WHO ALSO RECIEVED THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPRIT AND WERE COMMANDED TO TEACH AND SPREAD THE GOSPEL. SEVERAL WOMEN, PHOBE PRICILLA , AAQUILLA, THEY TAUGHT AND THEY HAD CHURCHES THEY STARTED IN THERE HOMES AS WELL, AND THEY TAUGHT THERE HUSBANDS TOO. JESUS SAID THERE IS NEITHER GREEK NOR JEW BOND OR FREE FOR WE ARE ALL ONE THROUGH CHRIST. PAUL ONCE BEING A ROMAN LEADER WHO CAME TO FOLLOW CHRIST NEW THE LAW(THE JEWISH LAW) AND HE SPEAKS OFTEN ABOUT NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW OF THE LAND AND ITS TRIDITIONS BUT TO GO BY THE NEW ORDER WHICH IS THE ONE CHRIST TAUGHT

Answer 9

i'm no longer tender with women human beings preachers even with the actuality that i'm thoroughly tender with women human beings practise toddlers and different women human beings. i imagine God had a clarification for the finished, adult adult males submit to God, women human beings submit for your husbands element. i do not declare to understand the excuses yet I settle for that his causes were valid on the time. ...and for the reason that it remains really ordinary to work out that adult adult males and women all and multiple seems diverse (if merely on a organic and organic element), i'm extra tender believing that the God who created those differences is conscious how those differences may influence our effectiveness as a preacher. ought to those differences were eliminated contained in the previous 2000 years...perchance...perchance even really likely...yet until eventually i understand that, I opt to err on the area of caution the position women human beings preachers are in touch. one element i will deliberate to each and every of the female preachers available is that I actually have not in any respect felt referred to as to be the pinnacle of a church...once you've a courting with God and also you've faith he has referred to as you to evangelise, incredible...and if the calling is authentic, he will also provide you with a congregation of human beings that he HAS helped go with this question...he merely hasn't led me there yet!

Answer 10

LOL, this is part of the reason I don't even GO to a church. Balogna like that is a good indicator to me of man-made doctrine.

Answer 11

That is wrong as the preacher could not preach for them talking so another precher"said keep those women quite """and they were comparing hair styles and he told them to cover their heads and you take that out of context