Christians, may I ask what you think of this passage?

Question

Usually I won't go into religion, but tonight I feel like doing so. I'm sorry in advance if this insults anyone.

Okay, someone asked about women as preachers. I found a passage from the Bible that speaks out against women even talking in church. Do you think that this is outdated, since society has changed and most people recognize (as they should) that genders are equal? Do you think that women should be recognized as equal in every way-- allowed to speak in church and become the head of the household? Why or why not?

"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."

"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."

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sbs777/vital/women.html

I believe that we are equals and what lies between our legs should not be a reason to keep us from teaching. I am not Christian, nor will I ever be again. And I have never and will never submit to a man-- but I will not make a man submit to me, either.

I also think if there is a God, that He would not have discriminated against anyone and He would know that women would seek equal rights-- He made us equal and we can all live any part of life, no matter what our calling.

These are my beliefs, but that's fine if we don't share the same. I just want to know how people feel about equality, and why.

Fabulous Me-- this is my biggest problem with religion. Since it was written by men, not women and men together, it seems like there's a lot of sexism in it. Things like this were normal 2000 years ago, but nowadays...well, I see it as wrong. Me and my fiance are equal, he doesn't run the house and he doesn't have power over me, or vice-versa. I think there is a line, but too many people are afraid to draw it because that might shatter their world and their beliefs.

But, I just asked this question to see what people were doing with the woman preacher thing. I won't fight, but I did state my views to be clear which side I stood on.

Tracy-- look at the answers of the men below you. I'm sorry that you would betray your own gender and fight instead for men to rule you. Equality for all is the good fight, submission and obediance on topic of gender is not.

But, you have a right to believe what you will, so be strong in whatever you believe and I hope you're as free in life and you want to be. Peace.

Need2know-- I do have a strong, good man. He is loving, caring, and realizes that my body and my life are my own and not his. We act as one, and we are equal. We have not had a problem in 3 1/2 years that we've been together, even though we don't follow your line of order. So, I am happy and grateful that I have him-- to me he is perfect. Peace.

I do not have chaos inmy life, but I work and support the home as much as my man. Being equal seems a lot easier and more practical than taking gender roles, at least to me.

Answer 1

That passage seems to indicate several things.
1) There must have been a problem in Corinth with women loudly interrupting services. Perhaps that is why Paul addressed it.
2) "Obedience as the law says." It says a woman is submissive to her husband. Not that all women are submissive to all men.

Here is how I see it. If a woman wants to be a preacher and she isn't married, there should not be a problem. Also if a woman wants to be a preacher and her husband is fine with that and even supports her in that, then there is no one left who can object.


I know you are likely to receive comments saying that Paul was sexist. Here is something else he wrote:

"There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ( Galatians 3:28)

Answer 2

Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Timothy 2:9-15, 1 Timothy 5:1-16, Titus 2:3-5, 1 Peter 3:1-6. These all speak about women's role.

Being submissive does not mean that the husband has grounds for abusing his wife. The husband even has the harder job as it is his role/duty to love his wife and take care of her as he does himself. Women have just as much work to do for the church as the men, but in different ways. Paul instructed that women are not to have authority over the Christian men. A woman can preach to the lost, teach her children (Timothy was taught by his mother and grandmother before being taught by Paul), the older women teach the younger, be benevolent and hospitable and the like, she just can't be in authority over men or be an elder or deacon.

The Bible and God don't change even though the times have. Which do people want to follow, the times or the Bible? Can't have both. Also, for women to have authority over the Christian men means they have crossed the line in the role God designed for women. God made women to help the men, not be over them. And of course, the men must realize that they have no right to abuse women but take care of them. Things go into chaos when women take men's roles and men take women's roles.

Answer 3

Personally, it's just another example of how outdated religion is. As I have said many times, I have no faith but I do respect others beliefs. I cannot however understand why women should be disqualified from holding a post in the clergy. If you have religion and are tolerant, why would you not want a woman to preach. Some of the boring, bigoted, narrow minded old school preachers could do with the competition, maybe some churches wouldn't be 80% empty if the person doin the talking was a more modern and forward thinking person.
Respect.

Answer 4

Men and women are equal but have different roles. Women are the "help meets". They play a supportive role. It also says in the Bible that if a man doesn't take care of his family, he is worse than an infidel. Men are supposed to provide the basic needs of the wife and/or family and women are to be "keepers at home". Obviously, there are exceptions to this and women do sometimes have to go out and work if their husband dies or is disabled or if they are single. And women should be paid equally for their work. But as a general rule, women by nature are better at the nurturing role . As far as preaching, the church is like a family and ideally, a man should be head of his family, as Christ is head of the church. He should lovingly lead and guide his flock. There is nothing wrong with women teaching children or other women. But they should not "usurp" the man's authority. As more and more of our prisons fill up, it will become more apparent that there is a need to teach children respect for authority. And that starts at home.

Answer 5

I agree with some of the previous answers. There were many places where Paul was speaking to specific situations in specific local churches. Not everything he taught was inclusive for all.

Women are allowed to speak in church, even give a message. We can even be ministers. Minister means to aid, counsel, teach, etc. The New Testament has many women in those positions. Look at Phoebe. She was even a deacon according to Greek translations. But Christian men should take the positions of authority. However, with that authority also comes accountability and great responsibility.

♥♥♥♥♥FabulousME♥♥♥♥♥ Why do you feel like you have to defend your "religion"? Do you trust in Jesus Christ or don't you? He doesn't need you or anyone else to defend Him or make excuses for Him. Remember, HE died for YOU and said "It is finished.", not the other way around. As far as the bible goes, its true there are a few questionable translations out there, (like the TNIV, The Living Bible paraphrase, The Message, etc.), but many out there have been found to be quite accurate. (KJV and NKJV to name a couple.) There was a great deal of care taken by the early scribes and scholars to make sure of that. Remember that when Jesus spoke, He often quoted the scriptures (which were the Old Testament). If you don't believe the Bible, where do you come by your basis of faith, by words from the mouths of men? Maybe the fictional DaVince Code?

Scriptures specifically say that wives are to submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ. However, on the other side of that, husbands are to love their wives the same way that Christ loves the church. In other words, to give their lives for us. Also, remember, Jesus said, "I came, not to be served, but to serve." I think many husbands forget about that verse.

When God created woman, He didn't take her from Adam's foot to be a doormat or from his hand to be held back. He took her from Adam's rib, under his arm to be protected and next to his heart to be loved.

Answer 6

I've been to good churches with fantastic women preachers. Although I am not a Christian, I think that Christianity can make room for women as preachers.

The Bible has a lot of passages that discourage certain things (e.g. eating shellfish, having one's head covered in church, getting divorces), but these must be interpreted with careful thought as to why they were written and whether they still make sense in today's society.

For example, a woman whose husband is physically abusing her should get out of their home as quickly as she can, and get a divorce. This is a matter of life and death, not morality.

Answer 7

I believe that what God through Paul is saying, is that God wants men to step up to the plate and be the leader not the woman. It is our place, as women to allow them to be. Women have this power.

There is a chain of command with God. It is God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, man and then woman. This does not make women less important. It makes them special because with the man being over the woman, in the chain of command, he is to protect and provide for her and the children.

There are too many men who won't work and won't take over their responsibilities because the woman does it for them.

In Christianity, the woman's body belongs to her husband and the husband's body belongs to the wife. We are one in the Lord.

In our home, my husband is over me because I allow him to be. He treats me like a queen and I enjoy it. His leadership, spiritual and other wise gives me the freedom to enjoy loving him and looking up to him. This is not a threat to me.

The Bible was not thought up by men. The Bible is God's written Word to us.
It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. (New International Version)

Answer 8

What that passage refers to is not the literal not speaking of a woman. But just the question you asked, that a woman shall not speak to the congregation aka be a preacher.

A woman is and was allowed to speak for they are those who normally teach bible study or Sunday school. Plus organize and plan all the meals, feasts and parties.

Answer 9

you're making the assumption the Bible is wholly and completely the word of God. it has been changed by countless people, many not who you would call "true christians" (like king james, who wanted to divorce his wives or kill them). anyone who is aware of Jesus' teachings, if they were to place them side to side with old testament teachings, would see the inconsistencies. Jesus preaches love and tolerance, the old testament the exact opposite. also the one who claimed that the Bible is the word of God are those who wrote it, not God himself. back then, religion was often used to control/manipulate the people, we can't be sure that's how some of the people who wrote the Bible used it.

also, back in Biblical times and Jesus' times, metaphors/parables/allegories/... were a common form of communication. Jesus himself preaches to the people in parables, a form of metaphor. so how can we be sure that not all of God's true teachings (whether they be in the Bible, or elsewhere) are metaphorical?

Answer 10

You got this from the Bible? wow.
I am a Christian, and I am trying to defend my religion as best I can; my friends get angry with me for being Christian, and it also keeps me from becoming successful. So my question to myself is this: Were do I draw the line? What parts of the Bible should be outdated and what parts should still be intact? Can I defend the Bible and force everyone to obey it after altering it to fit MY lifestyle? NO. It is a hard question to answer. Were DO WE draw the line?
Kinda Confusing, I know!!

: )