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Ask The Pastor
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
> Question:
> Pastor, My question is one that I am sure you have been asked many
> times. The scriptures relating to women not being able to teach or
> have authority over a man. I belong to a UPC church in Louisiana.
> The pastors wife and other women are teaching adult classes and are
> appointed leadership roles within the church. I have a problem with
> this. The last UPC church I was a member of did not allow this. The
> men were appointed as the teacher and their wives helped them. This
> was a church with older leadership than the church I am attending
> now. I was raised Baptist and never do remember having any female
> teacher of women in authority in church. I have not talked to my
> current pastor about this yet. Apparently he sees nothing wrong with
> this. I know what the sciptures say. Am I wrong about the way I am
> understanding these scriptures. My wife disagrees with me but I
> think I'm right on this.
Dear Friend,
Good to meet you. (Our ministry is located in Pineville.)
Most problems in the area of 'women in authority' stem from
willingness to ignore certain Scriptures, or, to reinterpret the
Scriptures to fit desired circumstances. I'm afraid this happens all
to much. But it doesn't make it right. We are told not to add to or to
take away from God's Word.
You are correct in that the Scriptures tell us women are not permitted
to teach or have authority over men. This isn't a problem with women
teaching Sunday School classes. It becomes a problem when adult
Christian men are being taught by women of the Church.
............. Added note from Pastor Buddy.............
Where Paul says, "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise
authority over a man, but to remain quiet," the word he uses for
'authority'
is not the common word used, that is, 'exousia.' Exousia speaks of
legal
authority, or the right to act.' Here Paul uses the
term 'authenteo.' This is
the only place in the New Testament where this word is
used. Authenteo
has to do with
exercising dominion over others, but in the sense of doing
this in their own
authority. It is a dominating term. This helps us understand
better what Paul
was really speaking of.
..............................................................................
Let's me break your question into parts so my comments will relate
better:
> The pastors wife and other women are teaching adult
classes and are
> appointed leadership roles within the church.
If the adult classes contain Christian men, this is contrary to God's
Word. As for leadership roles it would depend on what these roles
involve. (But the principle is much the same.)
A pastor's wife is generally considered the pastoress of the women of
the church. Her calling fits with her husband. She would simply need to
take care in not overstepping spiritual boundaries.
> I was raised Baptist and never do remember having any
female teacher
> of women in authority in church.
The Baptists generally hold to the Scriptures in this area.
(Especially Southern Baptist.)
> I have not talked to my current pastor about this yet.
Apparently he
> sees nothing wrong with this.
You may want to talk with him. But it would also help if you and your
wife could be of one mind.
> I know what the sciptures say. Am I wrong about the way
I am
> understanding these scriptures. My wife disagrees with me but I
> think I'm right on this.
You are right.
If your wife was raised UPC, this may contribute to your disagreement.
In the pentecostal-charismatic culture, having women in positions
of authority is often accepted. Much depends on the local church.
However, it is still somewhat rare to find a woman pastor.
[Editor's Note: For further reading see:
"Ask the Pastor" - Women's authority in the church ]
Blessings,
Buddy
Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask
the Pastor
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
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