| << | Contents | >> |
Freedom in God's Divine Order for Women
The Bible teaches that only men are to be in the government of the church and that women are not permitted to teach men. Or does it? Many churches have ordained women; women teach in church meetings and without question lead some churches. Once it was mostly the liberal churches that released women in this way; now some conservative churches do so.
Prior to even thinking about writing on this subject, a young woman in our church said that she thought women should be pastors. I asked if she would sit down and let me go over the appropriate Scriptures to explain why we believe as we do. She agreed, if I would read a book she had been given. I was introduced to Charles Trombley’s book, “Who Said Women Can’t Teach?”[4] After I had digested this book a good friend gave me a copy of Cunningham and Hamilton’s book, “Why Not Women?”[5]
Both books challenge the traditional place of women in the church. Trombley presents arguments in words very critical of men and those who hold traditional views. Cunningham and Hamilton are different in the temper of their words; both challenged my understanding of this issue and made me more thoroughly examine my perspective concerning the function of women in the church. At first read I was nearly convinced they were right. I had to dig deeply into their books before I could see major flaws in their reasoning and errors in their assumptions. Then their arguments fell apart.
This paper will be critical of both books. In the case of, “Why Not Women?” I do so reluctantly because of my respect for Loren Cunningham and the work of YWAM in educating young Christians and inspiring evangelism. Some of my friends are with, or have been with, YWAM and have experienced Jesus through this organization’s ministry. YWAM has brought Christ to many nations and peoples. However, anyone who proposes changing God’s order needs to be studied and answered.
The early chapters of “Why Not Women?” present an excellent history of the abuse, discrimination, and degradation of women perpetuated by men in cultures over the centuries. These cultures include the Hebrew and Greek of Biblical days and, to a lesser extent, our culture today. The detailed abuses have cried out for needed correction. Much good has been done in our country not only through the Church, but also through the feminist movement. I hope their positive achievements are carried to all cultures. However, the extreme elements of the feminist movement have done severe damage to our culture and families, especially with their stand on homosexuality and abortion. Sadly, there are churches today that have bought into their positions in these two areas. Although I am sure that the authors of this book do not agree with these sinful practices, they seem to have been affected by the feminist agenda in the area of women in the government of the church. They may have been susceptible because the churches they grew up in sanctioned women in church government. This appears to be the case with Loren Cunningham, whose mother was a pastor (she co-pastored with his father). It would seem reasonable to want to justify one’s heritage. They have also seen very gifted women move with anointing and they wanted to give them complete freedom to exercise their gifting. However, as I discuss in this book, leadership is not only a matter of the gift we have or our anointing, but also of God’s call and His order for the church.
We will look at some of the arguments presented in these books and find out why they ask, “Who Said Women Can’t Teach?”[6] and “Why Not Women?”[7]
Search Comments
This page has been visited 0038 times.
| << | Contents | >> |
10 per page