Christians.... What do you think of women preachers?

Question

The bible is very specific when it comes to this. Women are aloud to teach other women but they are NOT to have authority over a man. People point out that our culture has changed since then (true) but isn't Gods word never changing? Just curious to hear what you think about this. Thanks guys!!! (No disrespect to any women. This is just a question out of curiosity)

Answer 1

I am married to a woman minister. Unfortunately, the Bible has very contradictory things to say about women. Consider 1 Cor 14:

34 women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

Just a few chapters earlier Paul was talking about the proper way for women to pray in church. so, there is something weird going on here.

There are also scriptures where Paul is praising women in leadership roles. Romans 16:7:

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

Here, Junia (a female name) is praised as an apostle, the highest position a person could have in the early church. There are some who think this should be a male name, but it its male form it is not found anywhere else in ancient Greek documents. (This is a very abbreviated form of this argument.)

I believe this is one of those cases that no matter what you believe, you can find biblical support. If you believe women should not preach, its in there. If you believe women should preace, its in there too.

I provided a link below to a paper I wrote for divinity school last semester on this very subject. If you want to know more about it, take a look at the paper. It goes into the original Greek and much more detail than I can here.

Answer 2

I'm not comfortable with women preachers though I am completely comfortable with women teaching children and other women. I think God had a reason for the whole, men submit to God, women submit to your husbands thing. I don't claim to understand the reasons but I accept that his reasons were valid at the time. ...and since it is still quite easy to see that men and women are different (if only on a biological level), I'm more comfortable believing that the God who created those differences understands how those differences might affect our effectiveness as a preacher. Could those differences have been eliminated in the past 2000 years...perhaps...perhaps even quite likely...but until I know that, I prefer to err on the side of caution where women preachers are concerned.

One thing I will concede to all the female preachers out there is that I have never felt called to be the head of a church...If you have a relationship with God and you believe he has called you to preach, awesome...and if the calling is true, he will also give you a congregation of people that he HAS helped resolve this question...he just hasn't led me there yet!

Answer 3

Personally, I believe that women would be great church leaders, priests, popes, etc. Why not? Granted the Bible has some very misogynistic views, but it contradicts itself in many ways; for example, the fact that there is a New Testament at all is a major contradiction. Also, in a primarily patriarchal (with the exception of parentage) society, the men writing these books tended to marginalize the women, with the exception of a few. Early christianity turned Mary Magdelene, a woman with a large inheritance, into a whore of which there is nothing to corroborate that in the Bible whatsoever. Yes, if women can raise the morality of children, male or female, we can certainly elevate their souls as well.

Answer 4

I'm old-fashioned and I think it's fine to hear a woman teach, but I don't like the idea of women preaching in terms of being a pastor. That said, I have heard outstanding women speakers and evangelists and preachers. I was married by a woman minister. I believe the Bible was addressing the notion of women preaching because in those days, women sat in different parts of the temple, away from the men, and views on a woman's role were vastly different in those days, culturally, than they are today. This is one of those Bible applications that I believe has more cultural relevance for the time period in which the Bible was written, than it does for having actual relevance to how God actually wants us to conduct ourselves. I don't believe God has a problem with a woman preacher, even though old-fashioned me and many other people, are slightly uncomfortable with the idea.

Answer 5

THe e-book of the BIble that you simply a refering is within the ancient testement.After Jesus got here and died the legislation have been converted.Even regardless that so much christians consider that the person will have to be the top of the loved ones and females have been made to be support pals.Over time females have developed and are extra outspoken.In my opinion I suppose God doesent see gender relating to spreading Gods phrase and saving souls. In the twenty first century females don't forget theirselves identical to guys and in a few approaches they're.Personally I select a person as a minister however I don't suppose its incorrect (sin) for females to minister to others.There are many denominations watching for ministers and in a few rural locations the one ones on the way to take the task are females .Is it larger for a church to near and close the doorways to people who could best attend there or could it's larger for a girl to evangelise the phrase of God? I hurriedly replied your query however im now not certain if there are any verses int the brand new testomony to reply your query. Most persons will appreciate a person of authority earlier than they'll a lady .I suppose guys are checked out because the more potent of the species. To contradict this message regardless that the task of being a mom is among the toughest at the face of the earth. God Bless and Keep you constantly.

Answer 6

If the preacher is fulfilling his/her duty to preach the gospel and encourage their flock to lead a righteous life, then it shouldn't matter what gender he/she is. This is why I would have no difficulty with gays of either gender preaching. The gender and sexual orientation is no longer an issue for public school teachers, why should it be any different for preachers? Keep in mind that the Bible is NOT the Word of God in its entirety, because it was written by religiously-oriented human men, who probably had a vested interest in keeping the power of the church in the hands of men. The only claim to superiority over women that men can rightfully claim is that, on average, men are physically stronger than women. In every other area, women are just as good as (and in some cases significantly better than) men.

Answer 7

Hi, Princess:

I get in trouble for speaking the Word, but made a pact with God three decades ago that I'd never teach a church doctrine by twisting the Bible to say what it doesn't

As you know, women have demanded things that the Bible prohibits. Perhaps that is why there are so many divorces today.

It is not politically correct to quote the Bible on this issue because, they say, Paul had female problems.

But His thesis on this subject was Bible based: 1) Man was created first, and woman was created for them.
2) Woman sinned first, and was to remain in subjection.
3) Man is to love his wife as God loved the church and gave His life for it.

Concerning Ordination of women, where women often sit at the head of the Church Board, I think they are being presumptuous.

God established the male priesthood, then the discoples ordained men. Not to say that women are less capable, but, like the Levites who were set apart, God set the order in the church.

Too bad we don't obey God.

Blessings and AGAPE, Balaam

Answer 8

St Paul had no problem with women's prophesying as long as they wore veils. I've heard a lot of women preachers and some are good and some are bad-just like male preachers. Some are poor in delivery ,some poor in content and some are incomprehensible-just like males. Some are memorable and some you would want to forget-just like males.

Answer 9

Some of the finest preachers I know are women and I respect them greatly as sisters in the Lord. Paul told us that in Christ there is no male or female. Paul also told us that he was taught by Priscilla and Aquila. So apparently Paul was able to accept teaching from a woman.

As for the concept of women in the pulpit there is a passage of scripture that refers to the deacons. If the scripture has been translated accurately there is a feminine name among them. "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me." Romans 16:1-2 The word used for servant in the Greek is the word for deacon.

And before we decide what God would do, may I point out that one of the greatest leaders of Israel was appointed judge over all Israel by God - our sister, Deborah. :)

Pastor John

Addendum: I encourage us to remember one thing. Paul is very clear about saying what HE says and what GOD says. He will say "I say to you" or "The Lord has told me", etc. In the 1 Timothy scripture Paul does not say that God does not allow women - he says I do not allow women. There were good reasons that Paul did not allow women to teach in a society that was entirely male dominated. Women weren't allowed in the worship area with men. Paul allows them there. Paul broke down many barriers for women but he did it in a world where men ruled and dominated. He made clear what God believed when he said in Christ there is no male or female. He also made it clear when he accepted the guidance and teaching of Priscilla.

Answer 10

Can you tell me where it says that in the bible?
The first "woman preacher" (per say) was Mary Magdalene when she ran out to tell the disciples that Jesus has risen! She was sent out by JESUS to do this.
John 20:11-18

How is a woman preaching having authority over men?