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It is interesting to note that according to a poll taken by the Barna Group, 53% of male pastors across the United States of America hold to a biblical worldview in contrast to only 15% of female pastors. Barna defines a biblical worldview as holding to the following six convictions: 1) the total accuracy of the Bible, 2) the sinless nature of Jesus, 3) the literal existence of Satan, 4) the omnipotence and omniscience of God, 5) salvation by grace alone, and 6) the personal responsibility to evangelize (www.barna.org). This implies that most women pastors reject the foundational teaching of the early apostles. Robert Duncan’s words are accurate. The accuracy and authority of God’s Word is being ignored and minimized in order to grow the forest, that is, to justify the ordination of women.
Word of Truth.But what does God say about women pastors? The answer is found in 1 Timothy 2:11-12 which teaches that a woman is not to have authority over or to teach men. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. (NASB) 1 Tim. 2:11-12 1 Timothy 3:1-2 teaches that only men may be elders or pastors when it says that an elder must be the husband of one wife.
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife . . . (NASB) ! Tim. 3:2 For a study into the meaning of these passages, you might want to read the study titled, “Role of Women in the Church.” These have been among the guiding passages on this subject since the time of Jesus and the apostles.
From the time of Christ, the church has consistently affirmed
the role of women to include a broad variety of ministries, with the
exception of pastor, elder and the public teacher of adult men. This
position was held by the following notable theologians: Origen, Jerome,
Chrysostom, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Wesley, Jonathan
Edwards, Charles Hodge, to name but a few. There are also many well-known
modern pastors who hold to the same position.
The historic position of the apostles, the early church fathers, and the biblical expositors who have followed over the last 2,000 years regarding the meaning of these passages, relative to the role of women, has been strongly challenged by the modern women’s liberation movement. This is not surprising.
The Reason. The “forest” has been growing because the teaching of the Word of God is being ignored. In some cases the Bible is being reinterpreted so that it accommodates our cultural perspective. The Apostle Paul predicted that the future church would stray from biblical teaching.
. . . they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (NASB) 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Paul’s expectation has been fulfilled many different times over the years since he wrote those words. The root issue is our “own desires” and the result is what we are observing. |
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| Rise of Women Pastors | |||||
