This type of reasoning is not sound that you bring here.
It's a valid question which deserves an answer - unless you don't believe that the Lord cares for us today.
Does/can the Lord lead us in paths of righteousness for his name's sake, Psalms 23:3?
Did Jesus say that his sheep listen to his voice, John 10:27?
Did Jesus say that he would send his Holy Spirit to his followers to live in them, John 14:17?
Does the Spirit convict of sin, John 16:8?
Does the Spirit guide us into all truth, John 16:13?
Is it through the Spirit that we are born again, John 3:3, become God's children, John 1:12, Romans 8:16?
Is the Spirit working in us, Philippians 2:13, transforming us into Jesus' likeness, 2 Corinthians 3:18?
Does the Spirit intercede for us in accordance with God's will when we don't know how to pray, Romans 8:27?
Is it the Spirit who gives us gifts, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11 so that God's church may be built up, Ephesians 4:12?
So if a Christian woman who has been happily serving God as mother, teacher, social worker, nurse etc etc says one day that she believes God is calling her to be ordained - something that did not come "from her" because she had never considered, and didn't particularly want, it - prays about it, (in some cases I have known even begging God NOT to call her to that), and goes to her Minister/Vicar/Bishop for prayer, counsel and to have that calling tested; if a number of people pray about this over many weeks/months, asking for the Spirit's guidance/confirmation/redirection and the outcome is that she is ordained - why would God not have stopped this if, in fact, it it contrary to his will?
I’m sure you would agree that there are many many of those who claim to be in ministry over the saints that are not even believers or are in the wrong place. Yet they continue to go on as if they were. I can think of entire groups like this and cults etc.
I'm not talking about cults, about people who don't even really know Jesus or confess him as Lord; I'm talking about born again, Spirit filled, Christian women who are God's children.
Yes, ok you might get some who say they are called by God and in fact aren't - but that could be just as true of men. Many years ago, men seemed to become clergy in the church simply because their fathers were; with little evidence of calling, suitability, rigorous selection or the Spirit's guidance. I know of someone who went off to Bible college after university and later became ordained. The only church event he ever attended was choir practice; I wouldn't have said that he was even a Christian at that point.
And even to those who are beloved saints who have struggled with such things I am sure that God has been trying to speak to them.
Yes, they testify that he has been speaking, and calling them, to ordination.
And if they have not read many of the verses about such things in the New Testament yet hopefully they will.
Even if they had not read the select verses in the NT that you've presented before, do you really think that someone could spend 3 years at Bible college, studying, reading Scripture without being made aware of them? Or of opposition to their calling, or of their churches debate on the subject of women priests and the arguments for/against?
In a number of places it's still true that if a man says he believes the Lord is calling him to be ordained, there is little protest - but if a woman says the same thing, they are told they are deluded, feminists, have ideas above their station, are disobeying God's will or lying - and simply not allowed to test God's calling to them. In such places, the church says this is love.
But in my experience, some will do whatever they want regardless of what they read or who speaks to them,
Some might - but who says that isn't from God?
Gladys Aylward was turned down for missionary work to China because the board didn't believe she was physically strong enough for the task. She was so convinced of God's calling that she went anyway; took the Gospel to the Chinese and founded a church. Was it good that many got to hear the Gospel and the Lord converted many through her, or were their conversions somehow invalid because a woman was involved?
many may find a group that accepts them or a book that confirms them or a idea that eases their conscience even if it is against God’s clear word in scripture and his commands.
You have no idea of the minds and motives of people.
And I have met many rebellious people in my walk. Many
Me too.
I have also met many who are proud and insist that their reading of Scripture is the right one; that the words on the page mean what
they say that they mean, that anyone who disobeys them is disobeying God, and that they are his prophets who have been sent to warn people - that's why we have so many cults. Moonies, JWs, Mormons etc are all founded on the "our leader has heard from/met God and been given these teachings; anyone who disagrees is opposing God", principle.
