Sincere Question: 1 Cor 34-36

[Semper_Ubi_Sub_Ubi]

Greeting brothers and sister. I'm new here and had a question about a few verses. Actually, I was approached by a good non-Christian (Shamanist) friend and she asked me about 1 Cor 34-36.

(New American Bible)

"women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husband at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church. Did the word of God go forth from you? Or has it come to you alone?"

Usually I am able to address her questions but I didn't know how to do so this time around. I was wondering if someone could give me the Catholic perspective of this. Why did Paul say this? (Especially knowing that it obviously no longer occurs in the church)

confused but warmly,

SEMPER

 

[Benedicta00]

It means women are not to be priests.

 

[Semper_Ubi_Sub_Ubi]

Interesting. However, please empathize with me: I can't simply tell a Shamanist that "it means women are not to be priests." Please elaborate more on how you came to that statement.

???

SEMPER

 

[geocajun]

It means women are not to be priests.

I think it means more than that Michelle. I don't allow my wife to talk at mass or learn from anyone but me

* plugs his ears

 

[Benedicta00]

Interesting. However, please empathize with me: I can't simply tell a Shamanist that "it means women are not to be priests." Please elaborate more on how you came to that statement.

???

SEMPER

Cuz their not but Paul was speaking from a culture back then that didn’t allow women to speak in Church. He was a ex Jew so that ought to tell you where he was coming from.

Women are allowed to speak in Church, but they can not say Mass. Women are allowed to “preach” and to teach but not at Mass because that is not what mass is for, it is the sacrifice of Calvary.

And BTW, welcome.

 

[Benedicta00]

I think it means more than that Michelle. I don't allow my wife to talk at mass or learn from anyone but me

* plugs his ears

No one is allowed to speak at Mass, so there.

 

[geocajun]

try telling my kids that

 

[Semper_Ubi_Sub_Ubi]

Interesting. Thank you Shelb5. Can you elaborate more on the tone at which Paul uses? Is there a reason for it? (It is VERY OFFENSIVE to some women.)

more explanation by others are more than welcome,

SEMPER

 

[Benedicta00]

Interesting. Thank you Shelb5. Can you elaborate more on the tone at which Paul uses? Is there a reason for it? (It is VERY OFFENSIVE to some women.)

more explanation by others are more than welcome,

SEMPER

It was 2000 years ago. Give the man a break. He was a Jew.

What you have to understand is that the Church has what we call disciplines and that was more than likely a discipline at the time, not a dogma of faith. It changed because our culture has changed.

There are more complicated things in the bible to worry over; Paul was acting according to his culture at the time, there is no need to read anymore into than that.

 

[Benedicta00]

try telling my kids that

That's what they have those little glass rooms for. Kids and men who think their wives can't speak.

 

[Semper_Ubi_Sub_Ubi]

I thank you for your replies; however, it's not that simple as to simply tell a non-Christian "There are more complicated things in the bible to worry over."

Am appreciating other responses,

SEMPER

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

I would not know what else to add to what has already been said. At Mass, women may not perform the duties of a priest or deacon such as read the Gospels, give a homily, or do the Eucharistic prayers, because those are the duties of a priest or deacon.

What is mostly going on in those passages is a result of the culture that Paul was living in.

 

[Benedicta00]

I thank you for your replies; however, it's not that simple as to simply tell a non-Christian "There are more complicated things in the bible to worry over."

Am appreciating other responses,

SEMPER

I'm sorry if my answers are not up to par but it’s late, I’m tired and fighting a bad sinus infection so I really can’t come up with any brilliant, deep theological answers to this, I really don’t think they are any anyway.

A non Christian should accept that easier than anyone else. Tell this person that was the culture then and the Church does not hold this same position now because we as a culture have changed and evolved. What is wrong with that answer?

What answer is it that you are hoping to find?

Tell you what, tomorrow I will try to dig up this Catholic newsletter I have somewhere around here that deals with whether or not Paul was anti women if you like. I’ll check out what it has to say and get back.

 

[geocajun]

Semper this is a response from David Armstrong on the verse your asking about:

http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ183.HTM

 

[Semper_Ubi_Sub_Ubi]

Hmm... it's not coming together for me at all. I understand what's been explained, but then why does Paul also add, (v35) " But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home." ???

explanations?

SEMPER

I don't want to short change my friend and I'm sure she'll ask further than what's been explained so far.

 

[Semper_Ubi_Sub_Ubi]

Shelb5: Thank you. I can't simply say "culture" because then she's going to ask me what is simply "culture" what is not. In other words, she going to make me look like a cafeteria Christian. Yes, I will definitely check back in tomorrow to see what you can find on this verse. I appreciate your help. (Get some rest, take some antibiotics, and God bless you.)



SEMPER

 

[Benedicta00]

Hmm... it's not coming together for me at all. I understand what's been explained, but then why does Paul also add, (v35) " But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home." ???

explanations?

SEMPER

I don't want to short change my friend and I'm sure she'll ask further than what's been explained so far.

The husband is the spiritual leader of the household. He is to take a hold of his role as the head of his domestic Church and Christ takes a hold of His role as the head of the universal Church, so why not ask him at home? After all charity (love) begins at home doesn’t it?

 

[Semper_Ubi_Sub_Ubi]

Geocajun: THANKS!!! I'll digest and pray on that comment tonight.

warmly,

SEMPER

 

[Benedicta00]

Shelb5: Thank you. I can't simply say "culture" because then she's going to ask me what is simply "culture" what is not. In other words, she going to make me look like a cafeteria Christian. Yes, I will definitely check back in tomorrow to see what you can find on this verse. I appreciate your help. (Get some rest, take some antibiotics, and God bless you.)



SEMPER

The link geocajun posted should take care of your questions.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

I also put my wife in her place and dont let her speak!

(then I wake up from my dream and do the dishes she tells me to do...)

Doh!