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Consequently, the change has been motivated by some women who are offended that they cannot be pastors. Some regard the issue as one of equality and others as bias. To submit is considered to be an acceptance of an inferior position. If submission is an act of inferiority, then Jesus was inferior since He submitted to the Father. It is not uncommon for a gifted woman to want a greater audience. To be denied the audience is offensive to some.
It is important to realize that God has established role
differences among equals (men and women) both in the home and at church.
Scripture is clear that women and men are both equal before God in salvation
and in the gifts of ministry within the church. But there are God ordained
role differences in the church, both in leadership and in the office
of teaching and preaching. The very well known author Elisabeth Elliot
summarizes it well with,
The modern cult of personality makes submission a degrading thing. We are told we cannot be “whole persons” if we submit. Obedience is thought of as restrictive and therefore bad. “Freedom” is defined as the absence of restraint, quite the opposite from the scriptural principle embodied in Jesus’ words, “If you continue in my words, then are ye my disciples, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Freedom in God’s view always lies on the far side of discipline, which means obedience . . . To attempt to apply democratic ideals to the kingdom of God, which is clearly hierarchical, can result only in a loss of power and ultimately in destruction. Christ Himself, the Servant and Son, accepted limitation and restriction. He subjected Himself. He learned obedience (Elliot, Elisabeth, “Why I Oppose the Ordination of Women,” Christianity Today 880 [1975]: p. 13). Conclusion. When scripture has been consistently interpreted across 2,000 years of history, across many changes in culture, in various geographical areas, and by different races and denominations, its meaning is clear. So why do some want to change its meaning now? Could it be the influence of our modern day culture?
Some Christians are seeking modern day relevance by ignoring the teaching of scripture. The weight of our cultural perspective or bias has clouded our spiritual vision and our will to know what God has honestly said. Our interpretations can be limited by our own time, place, circumstances, and cultural perspective; but the historic interpretations give us the wisdom of centuries of biblical interpretation. To submit to scripture is to submit to God! Are we serious about submitting to God?
God has ordained different functions for men and women. When we “operate” according to His plan, we are most at peace in our interpersonal relationships here on earth. We are also at peace with God.
Women are free to serve God in any capacity except as a teacher over men, and as an elder, pastor, priest, or bishop. The Holy Spirit tells us that males, as the elders of the church, are the ones who are to have the oversight (1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17) and the ones who should function as pastors, priests, and bishops.
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