Questioning the Bible is a healthy thing. I don't apologize for questioning the Bible because it leads to greater faith.
Women should be ordained.
Ringo
Ringo, you have to understand, some people need a system as foundation before they grow reach the truth. However, some people seem to fall into a mandate and stay there. That is ok too, because that is obviously what they need to grow. Only God knows their heart condition and why each of us are called to the knowledge we have. I agree with you, spiritual equality and "relations" amongst Married Christians are two separate issues that are somehow intermingled here. I belong to an SBC, believe it or not, and this is how my pastor has described it to me. We, further along in understanding, have to have compassion and wisdom to support those whom are still in this stage of growth.
It is so wonderful to hit that stage of knowledge we want to share, but those whom are still babes do not understand. Very rarely you will find spiritual discernment involved in discussions such as these. For those of us that do understand, there is no discussion. Because to do so, would come across to others as arrogance, they forget all the other great things about what you stand for as a Christian brother or sister, and label you a sinner, or a lack of logic or other things.
This is the price we pay for spiritual knowledge and discernment in a world full of denominations, and schools of Theology, that are all about big business, more so than Godliness. Half the time most people dont know why they believe what they believe and dont ever open their bibles and study truly, the other time they are playing follow the leaders, rather than believing that God will lead their studies, trying and testing everything.
For clarification, the husbands role as leader encompasses bringing a woman up to his level of spirituality. There is equality there. Just as Christ has brought us to Gods level (no, I do not mean we are little Gods running to and fro). Christs blood brought us justification, and sanctification. His death, [read: his love and servitude] which is what males are instructed [just as females but in a different explanation] to do in relation to their wives. This goes for other Christians too, single, young, old, widowed etc... We are supposed to grow beyond the "training wheels" here. Lifting each other up in spiritual equality.
Now, there is no sin in allowing a woman in a leadership role, if it is for the right reasons and she speaks the truth. The bible teaches us that God works in many ways, and through anyone. We can trust God because as Christians, we have that faith. The Holy Spirit does not discriminate between sexes. It works the same way for all of us. No need to question that! The good news should not turn to bad because of the sex of the one delivering it. If a church cannot handle a woman in leadership, then so be it, but if others can, there is no reason it should be considered sinful. In fact, I view scriptures quite a bit differently there. By viewing what is good, from God, sinful, it is not only quenching the spirit, it is assuming one knows more than God does. If you plan to stay in the Baptist faith, know that this will be a huge source of contention. But I am lucky; I have a SBC pastor that believes the same way I do in this area so prayers will be answered.