Women Priests.

Lawrence87

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The rule is for you and how you treat others. The law is different for every person.

I don't make the rules for ordination into the Orthodox Church. So how I treat others is totally irrelevant in that regard. If someone wants to be a priest and they can then I would encourage them, if they are precluded for one reason or another, that is not a reflection of my personal treatment of them.

I wouldn't want them to break the rules for me, nor would I want them to break the rules for anyone else seeking ordination. It's important to me that the Church holds fast to it's traditions. If I were not baptized for instance, I would not expect them to allow me to become a priest. I would not expect them to bend their rules for anybody because I would not want to be a part of a Church that was willing to do that.

In other words I would not seek exemption for something that would preclude me from ordination into the Orthodox Church, so I would not expect anyone else to demand exemption. The rules preclude women, I would not expect to see that changed in specific instances nor across the board, especially not simply to capitulate to the modern, worldly demands that every institution has to treat everyone exactly equally. The reason that the Orthodox Church appeals to me personally is because it has no regard for such trends. It will not ordain women, and nor should it just because the winds of current political discourse says women should have access to every single role that men do. The Orthodox Church is not an institution of this world.

It also doesn't mean that refusal to ordain women is motivated by hatred. It's just how things are, and have always been done, and there is no need to change that because it is now trendy to be a revolutionary feminist. The Orthodox Church encourages us to love our neighbour just as much as any Christian. Once more, I say to you that it is not necessarily indicative of hatred, just because an organization precludes certain people from certain roles. If you ask any Orthodox priest they will likely just say 'it's how it's always been' and reluctance to change is what has kept the appeal of Orthodoxy throughout the ages. The other argument put forth is that Christ was a man, and therefore his representatives are men. Are we going to argue that it was sexist that God incarnate was a man too? Is God sexist? God made man and woman different and distinguished from one another, they have different roles, and this is not an anti-Biblical sentiment to hold. It's against the modern worldly political zeitgeist, but I don't care, and nor should the Church or any Christian.

God made women child bearers, God made men physically stronger, does that mean God hates men for not allowing them to experience being pregnant and giving birth? Does God hate women because He made them weaker? If you can see that the answer to this is 'no' then perhaps you can see that the Orthodox Church is not necessarily motivated by hate when it excludes women from the priesthood. It's just modern political ideology that says if you exclude someone from something you must hate them. God and His Church do not conform to this oversimplified way of seeing things.
 
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nolidad

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No Sir, however I note that you appear to have a fixation.

Once again I would remind you of the title of the thread, 'Women Priests', and my post simply referred to a classic Pauline text that suggests that matters such as gender, race, economic reality and social status should not be the defining issues, rather we should focus on our unity in Christ. It was certainly one of the texts that was discussed 30 years ago when the Church in this place was considering the enabling legislation for the Ordination of Women to both the Diaconate and to the Priesthood, as they did not happen at the same time.

In the church I agree! Entrance into the body of Christ and being able to individually approach the throne of Grace sees no gender or caste. We all have equal access to teh throne of our Father!

However in Timothy these are not complicated murky instructions. Bishops and deacons must be the husbands of one wife! And deacons wives must be chaste, grave and keepers of their homes well.

A simply normal usual reading of this leads to only one conclusion- Bishops (pastors) and deacons are men. Even in the Greek it leads to only one conclusion the exact same.

It is you and Gregorikios and paidske who allege this was/is a Greek idiom that simply means faithful to a spouse, but have failed to show how this became an idiom.

Here are some common American idioms:

All over the map. Definition: a conversation that does not stick to the main topic and goes off on tangents. "The meeting today was all over the map and I don't feel like we accomplished what we needed to."

Before you know it. Definition: almost immediately. "I will be there before you know it."

Blow off steam. Definition: express anger or frustration. "I was so happy I was able to go to the gym tonight. After a stressful work day it was great to blow off some steam and work out."

Break a leg. Definition: good luck, often heard in the theater world. "Break a leg at your performance tonight!"

Call it a day. Definition: declare the end of working on a task. "Ok, we have done as much as we can for now, let's call it a day"

Cat nap. Definition: short nap. "It has been a productive morning, I am going to take a cat nap after lunch."

Disco nap. Definition: short nap usually taken before one goes out to a long evening engagement. It's 4pm I think I'll take a disco nap before we go out dancing tonight.

Get the hang of it. Definition: To have the ability to complete a task and do it well; to go from beginner to intermediate. "It was tough at first but now I am really getting the hang of it!"


Give props to. Definition: show appreciation for. "We would like to give props to those who helped us tonight."

Head over heels. Definition: to be very much in love. "Kim and Erica are adorable, they are head over heels for each other!"

Here and there. Definition: On occasion. We get calls from that client here and there but not very often."

Hit me up. Definition: communicate or let one know by calling, texting, emailing etc… "Hit me up when you have finished the presentation."

We can trace their development and how they came to be used as idioms. That is called evidence and proof!

Now if anyof you folks can show the development of husband of one wife becoming an idiom that really means simply faithful to ones spouse, I am all ears, but just citing someone else saying it is an idiom is not evidence, just adding another opinion to you.
 
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JohnD70X7

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In my minimum experience women make good Priests; but does the Law allow for women priests; does the law forbid women priest? Does women Priests depend on the law being abrogated? Are women Priests a judgement on the inadequacy of men?

Revelation 1:6 (AV)
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10 (AV)
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The Hebrew thought expressed in Greek would be better understood:

Exodus 19:6 (AV)
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Evens in Exodus 32 forever changed this nationwide application of the priesthood and established the tribe of Levi as the clergy with the rest of Israel as the laity (so to speak).

Point being, clergy / laity is OLD Testament not NEW Testament.

1 Peter 2:3–9 (AV)
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Since over 99% of Christians are oblivious to the fact that we ALL are priests of God in Christ... that we are either passing the buck of our responsibility to the "professionals" or we are subject to the imposition of an Old Testament division on the New Testament covenant... the priesthood is woefully undermanned!

That fact alone is what changed me from a very staunch anti-women in the ministry stance. Before then, I pursued women in the ministry to confront them with all the Bible passages (beginning in 1 Timothy 2:13-15, to Revelation 2:20-23) in the Hebrew of Judges 4 to the Greek of the New Testament passages regarding Junia and Aquila and Priscilla...

Then the Spirit impressed upon my heart... "So then it would be better that no one heard the Gospel than that a women preached it to men?"

I was undone.

Whenever men failed to step up to do the LORD's will for whatever reason... God always sent women.
The Prophetess Deborah. The women at the empty tomb.

Understand, those women (and male supporters of them) who are in ministry to spite God or his ruling in [ideal] circumstances:

1 Timothy 2:12–15 (AV)
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

... even then, those rebellious women and men (as long as they preach and teach the accurate Gospel of the genuine Jesus Christ) are doing the Lord's will:

Philippians 1:15–18 (NIV84)
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

So henceforth, I say to those men who have problems with women who have stepped up into ministry... do thou likewise or be silent. Step into their shoes (they just may have been yours that they stepped into by your absence). And when we get the percentage of men in ministry that are supposed to be there... THEN we can enforce God's IDEAL circumstances.

This opened the door to my theology years ago about God's ideal will versus his practical will.
  • God wills everyone be saved
  • God wills no one sins ever
  • God wills to spare us al the evil and injustice of this world
God wills none of us commit sins like lying, deception, adultery*...

* This includes over exposure of the flesh and ogling it (Matthew 5:27-30 / Job 31:1-13, Leviticus 18:8 / Isaiah 47:1-3) ← check that one out to see what shameful nakedness includes... yeah everyone is guilty of adultery... thankfully we are under Grace and not the Law and we have what some call the Christian bar of soap (1 John 1:9 ... better studied repeatedly until it sinks in as a block of text:
1 John 1:5 - 1 John 2:17).
 
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Albion

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Since over 99% of Christians are oblivious to the fact that we ALL are priests of God in Christ... that we are either passing the buck of our responsibility to the "professionals" or we are subject to the imposition of an Old Testament division on the New Testament covenant... the priesthood is woefully undermanned!
All believers are part of a priesthood...in a certain sense of the word. But quite obviously not as bishops, presbyters, elders, deacons, etc. who are the called and installed ministers of the Gospel for the administration of the sacraments and governance of the church, etc. etc.

So, if the "priesthood of all believers" referred to all people being ordained, none of the verses that describe the functions and qualifications of the various ministerial roles in the church would even appear in Scripture. But they do.
 
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JohnD70X7

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All believers are part of a priesthood...in a certain sense of the word. But quite obviously not as bishops, presbyters, elders, deacons, etc. who are the called and installed ministers of the Gospel for the administration of the sacraments and governance of the church, etc. etc.

So, if the "priesthood of all believers" referred to all people being ordained, none of the verses that describe the functions and qualifications of the various ministerial roles in the church would even appear in Scripture. But they do.
  • Not all are called to the same ministry not have the same spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12). This is clear
  • Ordinations of man versus the ordination of God, hmmm ( the things of man versus the things of God: Matthew 16:23 / John 8:44 / Mark 7:13 / Mark 7:7)
Another point I wanted to mention is that the poor pastor / minister / reverend / priest usually carries the burdens of many people's ministries that they pass on to the "professional." If all stepped up to their calling the "ordained" as you call them would not be so overburdened. Thus the Gospel message to all in every generation would be more widely spread.
 
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Albion

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  • Not all are called to the same ministry not have the same spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12). This is clear
Exactly. That is why the term "priesthood of all believers" does not apply to the discussion topic of this thread.
  • Ordinations of man versus the ordination of God, hmmm ( the things of man versus the things of God: Matthew 16:23 / John 8:44 / Mark 7:13 / Mark 7:7)
    :sigh: Yes, it's a more modern term. Which other one would you prefer we use when speaking of the people of the assembly calling and installing deacons, presbyters, bishops, and etc. as the spiritual leaders of the congregation?
    other point I wanted to mention is that the poor pastor / minister / reverend / priest usually carries the burdens of many people's ministries that they pass on to the "professional." If all stepped up to their calling the "ordained" as you call them would not be so overburdened. Thus the Gospel message to all in every generation would be more widely spread.
  • Well, that's a practical concern, not a theological point such as ordaining or not ordaining women is. And, anyway, it can be addressed in several different ways other than changing the ordination standards.
 
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SkyWriting

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So how I treat others is totally irrelevant in that regard.

Correct. The law of treating others as if it was actually you only applies to personal decisions. Church laws might be the result of following the golden rule. Or Satans laws....I dunno which.

If that church law says all women must be naked and sacrifice babies, then Christians are called to follow the law.

But in my personal behavior, I must treat others as if they were me.
 
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SkyWriting

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It also doesn't mean that refusal to ordain women is motivated by hatred.

The opposite of love is Apathy. The opposite of caring is not caring.
Like banning women from priesthood for example.
 
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SkyWriting

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The Orthodox Church encourages us to love our neighbor just as much as any Christian.

Unless they are women of course. Then they get Apathy.

"I don't care if you think you are called to be a priest or how much you study or what you do. We just don't care about your calling to be priest, sweetheart."
 
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Albion

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The opposite of love is Apathy. The opposite of caring is not caring.
Like banning women from priesthood for example.
Or children.

Or non-Christians.

Where do we stop, if making other people feel cared for is our prime objective? Apparently we are to believe that there is no stopping, not even if it the act conflicts with Scripture.
 
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SkyWriting

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Or children.

Or non-Christians.

Where do we stop, if making other people feel cared for is our prime objective? Apparently there is no stopping, even if it whatever the act is conflicts with Scripture.

The golden rule IS the scripture.

Mark 12:31
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Matthew 7:12
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 6:32-42
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

But love your enemies, (even women priests) and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.


Today, there are approximately 145 women priests in the U.S. and about 204 worldwide.
 
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JohnD70X7

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Exactly. That is why the term "priesthood of all believers" does not apply to the discussion topic of this thread.

I beg to differ. There ARE unfilled priesthood (priesthood) ministries probably by the millions if not hundreds of millions.

:sigh: Yes, it's a more modern term. Which other one would you prefer we use when speaking of the people of the assembly calling and installing deacons, presbyters, bishops, and etc. as the spiritual leaders of the congregation?

The Word of God is unchanging. You will note in my posting that I did not say "women are different today..." or "women were perceived of as chattel in those days..." or "we are more modern in our thinking today..." because the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2 alluded to the progenitors of the human race: meaning it applies to all.

Maybe the traditions of men have since made up rules and qualifications and designed hats and robes since then... but that does not nullify (to God that is) Revelation 1:6 / Revelation 5:10 / 1 Peter 2:3-9 (which is why I fully printed them out in my post).

  • Well, that's a practical concern, not a theological point such as ordaining or not ordaining women is. And, anyway, it can be addressed in several different ways other than changing the ordination standards.

God sees believers in Christ Jesus as priests.

Galatians 3:28 (AV)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Be blessed.
 
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SkyWriting

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It will not ordain women, and nor should it just because the winds of current political discourse says women should have access to every single role that men do. The Orthodox Church is not an institution of this world.

No church I know of preaches the Golden Rules. I got this from scripture.

Matthew 7:12
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 6:31
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Matthew 7:1-5
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Mark 12:31
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

1 John 4:20
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother (or ignores women priesthood), he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Luke 6:32-42
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ...

Proverbs 28:6
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Matthew 25:31-46 ( More on the Golden Rule applications)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...

1 John 4:8
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (And apathy is treating women as a lower standing)

James 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (And apathy is treating women as a lower standing)

Colossians 3:12-14
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another,
( More on the Golden Rule applications)
forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Matthew 6:14-15 ( More on the Golden Rule applications)
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Romans 13:9 ( More on the Golden Rule applications)
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

James 2:14-24 ESV / 19 helpful votes
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ( < More on the Golden Rule applications)

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

Matthew 5:42 ( More on the Golden Rule applications)
Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Hebrews 13:1-3 ( More on the Golden Rule applications)
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.


Matthew 25:45 ( More on the Golden Rule applications)
Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

Zechariah 7:9 ( More on the Golden Rule applications)
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another,

Romans 15:1-2
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ( More on the Golden Rule applications)

1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.( More on the Golden Rule applications)

Romans 2:21-24 ( More on the Golden Rule applications)
You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Matthew 22:39
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
(Not act with Apathy)
 
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SkyWriting

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God sees believers in Christ Jesus as priests.

Galatians 3:28 (AV)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

The Golden Rule(s) in action, by God Himself.

The golden rule is rephrased by multiple authors in different ways and even the Father follows it because it is Him. Jesus laid down his life for us, desiring that other would be willing to do that for Him. Even knowing the outcome.

What Does the Bible Say About Do Unto Others?
 
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Philip_B

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Today, there are approximately 145 women priests in the U.S. and about 204 worldwide.
I am of the view that this number is significantly understated,
 
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JohnD70X7

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The Golden Rule(s) in action, by God Himself.

The golden rule is rephrased by multiple authors in different ways and even the Father follows it because it is Him. Jesus laid down his life for us, desiring that other would be willing to do that for Him. Even knowing the outcome.

What Does the Bible Say About Do Unto Others?

Sorry. I'm not following you here. Please clarify. I can be slow at times.
 
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Lawrence87

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Unless they are women of course. Then they get Apathy.

"I don't care if you think you are called to be a priest or how much you study or what you do. We just don't care about your calling to be priest, sweetheart."

You know nothing of the great works written on the subject of loving one's neighbour by the Saints of the Orthodox Church, so don't try to be a wiseguy with your ignorant quips.

The Orthodox Church stands against the feminist assumption that all roles must automatically be opened for women by default just because, there have never been female priests and the assumption that this ought to be changed just to appease feminists is naive. You don't just make radical changes to an institution that has existed unchanged for over a thousand years. That is not the mode that the Orthodox Church operates in. Even if it were it would need to be agreed by a council, and furthermore by the Orthodox Church as a whole.

A big part of Orthodoxy is obedience to your Spiritual Father. If your priest tells you to give up such and such for lent, you do it. If he tells you that you need to say certain prayers every day, you do it. I don't know how the change to having "spiritual mothers" would work. But I know many men would have difficulty acting in obedience to a woman and who knows how this might reverberate through the Church as a whole. I know you will just say those men just need to "get with the program", but thats just not how people work. And again the Orthodox Church is wisely reluctant to just enact such radical changes just out of the interests of fairness especially when its effects are unknown (or known and undesirable).

None of this comes from a place of apathy towards women, nor from hatred.
 
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SkyWriting

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The Orthodox Church stands against the feminist assumption that all roles must automatically be opened for women by default just because, there have never been female priests and the assumption that this ought to be changed just to appease feminists is naive.

I'm not a feminist nor have I ever read or studied them.
I discovered by analysis that the Golden Rule(s) are being ignored.
By their own writings, they are the true foundation of God in Jesus.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

So we would lay down our lives for women, but not allow them to be priests?
Not treat them as we would treat ourselves?
Ridiculous.

Matthew 7:12

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

What Does the Bible Say About Do Unto Others?
 
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SkyWriting

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I don't make the rules for ordination into the Orthodox Church. So how I treat others is totally irrelevant in that regard. If someone wants to be a priest and they can then I would encourage them, if they are precluded for one reason or another, that is not a reflection of my personal treatment of them.

I wouldn't want them to break the rules for me, nor would I want them to break the rules for anyone else seeking ordination. It's important to me that the Church holds fast to it's traditions. If I were not baptized for instance, I would not expect them to allow me to become a priest. I would not expect them to bend their rules for anybody because I would not want to be a part of a Church that was willing to do that.

In other words I would not seek exemption for something that would preclude me from ordination into the Orthodox Church, so I would not expect anyone else to demand exemption. The rules preclude women, I would not expect to see that changed in specific instances nor across the board, especially not simply to capitulate to the modern, worldly demands that every institution has to treat everyone exactly equally. The reason that the Orthodox Church appeals to me personally is because it has no regard for such trends. It will not ordain women, and nor should it just because the winds of current political discourse says women should have access to every single role that men do. The Orthodox Church is not an institution of this world.

It also doesn't mean that refusal to ordain women is motivated by hatred. It's just how things are, and have always been done, and there is no need to change that because it is now trendy to be a revolutionary feminist. The Orthodox Church encourages us to love our neighbour just as much as any Christian. Once more, I say to you that it is not necessarily indicative of hatred, just because an organization precludes certain people from certain roles. If you ask any Orthodox priest they will likely just say 'it's how it's always been' and reluctance to change is what has kept the appeal of Orthodoxy throughout the ages. The other argument put forth is that Christ was a man, and therefore his representatives are men. Are we going to argue that it was sexist that God incarnate was a man too? Is God sexist? God made man and woman different and distinguished from one another, they have different roles, and this is not an anti-Biblical sentiment to hold. It's against the modern worldly political zeitgeist, but I don't care, and nor should the Church or any Christian.

God made women child bearers, God made men physically stronger, does that mean God hates men for not allowing them to experience being pregnant and giving birth? Does God hate women because He made them weaker? If you can see that the answer to this is 'no' then perhaps you can see that the Orthodox Church is not necessarily motivated by hate when it excludes women from the priesthood. It's just modern political ideology that says if you exclude someone from something you must hate them. God and His Church do not conform to this oversimplified way of seeing things.

You know.....rather than invent sermons.....try scripture instead.

Matthew 25:31-46 ( More on the Golden Rule applications)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...

1 John 4:8
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (And apathy is treating women as a lower standing)

James 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (And apathy is treating women as a lower standing)

Colossians 3:12-14
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another,
( More on the Golden Rule applications)
forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
 
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Lawrence87

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No church I know of preaches the Golden Rules. I got this from scripture

Oh I see, so you got this from your personal reading of the Bible, because you are the one who is uniquely endowed with the ability to read scripture and discern it's true meaning. Such humility!


1 John 4:20
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother (or ignores women priesthood), he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

I love how you insert in brackets something totally unrelated that it absolutely does not say or even remotely imply pretending that this is what it says in the text. Why don't you just write your own Bible that says exactly what you want it to say?

1 John 4:8
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (And apathy is treating women as a lower standing)

Oooh more brackets saying stuff it doesn't actually say or imply.

James 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (And apathy is treating women as a lower standing)

I love it, when is your Bible commentary coming out?

Theres absolutely no grounds to say that precluding women from the priesthood necessitates an absence of love towards them. Many things we prohibit people from we do so out of love for them. So your assumption that not allowing women priests = apathy towards them is unfounded. You can preclude someone from doing something with utmost love for them. The one does not necessitate the other.

What is you commentary on the verses I quoted saying women should not speak in Church? Is it just the bits of the Bible that say what you want them to say that matter? Is your standard to just ignore anything you dislike, or find challenging? I'm curious because obviously you have decided that you are more qualified than the entire Orthodox Church throughout its entire history to interpret scripture...
 
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