It becomes apparent in discussions like this that people are not aware of the Apostle Paul at all.
Paul very often referred to himself, "I", in his letters to the churches he founded and oversaw in those letters. When Paul's letters use the nominative singular pronoun, "I", it is Paul's thoughts.
What I would hope those who are serious scripture study students would consider is the tenor of those who aren't well studied. And how there appears to be more than one conversation initiated in these forums hoping to promote that the scriptures are wrong when we are told God does not show favoritism. That would be found in Paul's letters to the Roman's in
Romans 2:11 .
Or that Paul told us we are all one in Christ Jesus. There is no free man, no Roman, no Greek. We are all one.
The argument some make in claiming that refers to our salvation only is missing the entire meaning of Salvation's depths when in the same breath those same people attempt to argue God discriminates. God decrees women are not fit to serve in delivering his word to the world.
Think about that argument for a moment in context of the scriptures.
God does not show favoritism.
We are all one in Christ Jesus.
God does not see women as fit to minister his word of salvation.
One will never change the mind of someone who wants to put their bias toward women into the mouth of God.
God knows.
I have absolutely 'no' bias towards women and I think that it is you that has exhibited 'bias' is any exists.
I didn't write the Bible nor have I ever placed women in a position of inferiority and your attempt to indicate such clearly shows your intent.
No different than pointing out that homosexuality is referred to in the Bible as an abomination and those that defend it instantly trying to label me a 'hater' or 'homophobe' or whatever, so too do those that try to place women 'above men' often start the same accusations every time the truth of scripture is pointed out.
I don't hate homosexuals nor am I afraid of them. I don't hate women nor am I afraid of them.
But I am capable of 'reading and understanding what I read'.
We are not 'equal': men and women. Equal means 'the same' and anyone that would suggest that men and women are 'the same' is merely trying to deceive themselves or others.
Adam was not 'created' through Eve. In fact, the Bible tells us that Eve was created 'from Adam'. There is no denying this to anyone that is willing to accept what the Bible offers.
Adam was created for Christ, Eve was created 'for' Adam. These are Biblical 'facts'.
So far as we are instructed, Eve had absolutely 'no' relationship with God. The relationship was between Adam and God. Eve was created 'for' Adam.
Paul's words are clear. While we are all 'equal' so far as the 'gift' being offered: Salvation, Paul makes it perfectly clear that women are 'not' equal to men so far as ministry is concerned. When he states what a Bishop 'must be' the first condition is that 'he must be a man'. That means that according to God's Word, a woman 'cannot' be a Bishop.
And changing the name to Pastor or Priest or what ever you may choose doesn't alter the meaning of what the Bible offers. A woman cannot be the leader of men 'in the church'. And as far as those professing to be followers, outside of the Church either. That's what the Bible says.
Trying to use the scripture that states that there is no longer a difference between free or bond is not in reference to 'leadership'. If that were true, then no one would quality to be a leader. Yet Paul explains the order of leadership in the 'Church'.
I don't really care who likes the truth. I am here to simply point it out. And it's no secret to most that have read the Bible.
But there are 'some' that choose to ignore the parts of it that they don't agree with. I'm not one of those.
So please do us all a favor and let's end this before it really turns into something ugly.
For you to use this one point in scripture and ignore all others is not how we are interpret scripture. When we find the 'truth' in scripture it matches all other scripture. I have already pointed out that your interpretation does not 'fit' the rest of scripture. What you have offered is an opinion based on 'your desire' to place yourself or other women in a position that the Bible states is an impossibility with those that are 'true followers' of God's Word.
So, start with the beginning and then follow the concept through to the end. No where in the Bible are women ever encouraged to 'usurp' the authority of man. Just the opposite in fact.
Now, let's be honest here. There are some really bad men. Bad examples lacking proper authority or responsibility. Can't argue that.
Some women believe that because of this it's their 'job' to step up and assume the role of leader in the face of inadequate men. That is not what we are offered in scripture. It may well work in the secular world, but it is not the instruction we have been offered in the Bible.
I didn't write the Bible so your beef isn't really with me. If you can show that I have failed to understand scripture, by all means, point it out. But offering false accusation really isn't a satisfactory manner in which to 'prove me wrong'. That's the means that aggressive people that are usually wrong employ when they have no other means. Try to garner the support of others by throwing out false accusations that appeal to the masses.
But don't get mad at me for correct discernment of what we are offered. Like I said, I can read and have the ability to comprehend what I read. The Bible makes it perfectly clear that men are to be the 'church leaders' and that women are to be submissive to their husbands. The male is the 'head' of a marriage. No such thing as 'equality' offered in the Bible. That some pastors and many women 'want' it to be so doesn't alter what we have so far as Biblical instruction.
And in the exact chapter where Paul lays out the ground rules concerning the place of women in the 'Church', he states that if anyone considers themselves to be a prophet or even 'Spiritual' in nature, let them acknowledge that what he offered are the 'commandments of God'. Not his opinion, but inspiration offered to him directly from God so far as 'God's will'.
So I'm not 'holding you down' or 'getting in your way'. If your desire is to 'lord' over men, it's God that's in your way, not me.
And in all reality, even those that argue against the truth know the truth regardless. But some, like children, insist on having their own way even when they know it's not the 'right way'. Nothing new under the sun.
Blessings,
MEC
