Women in the Church - Part 3 of 3

Title: Women in the Church - Part 3 of 3
A Three Part Series on women in leadership and women ministering in the Church
Text: 1 Timothy 2:11-15
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 13 Oct 2010

Yesterday, I dealt with the questions: "Can Women Teach in the Church?" and whether there is an unfair hierarchical structure going on. Today, I deal with the final two questions.


PROBLEM #4 – Women Committing a Greater Sin? (v14)

“And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.” (1 Tim 2:14)

CONCERNS: This is perhaps the most difficult verse to understand. By drawing in the fact that Eve fell first, does that mean Eve has committed a greater sin?

CONTEXT: One way to look at it is that God is fair. Much is given. Much is expected. While it is true that Eve sinned first, Adam is no better. The punishment for both Adam and Eve is the same: Exile from the Garden of Eden. This verse has to be read in terms of the ‘domineering’ manner which is the culprit. Yet, there is also seriousness in punishment. Look at the different ways Adam and Even are punished (Gen 3:16-19).  In the light of the 1st Century culture, ‘men’ should have known better. It is like a CEO of a company who ought to have known better what corporate governance is. When there are problems with the running of the company, can he blame his subordinate and run away from responsibility? If the company fails, can he simply push the blame to his accountant, or his junior staff? No. He is ultimately accountable. A good leader will take responsibility not only for good results, but bad ones too.


CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION: Paul is stating a known fact to his hearers at that time. He is saying that man and woman are different in their current state because of what happened at the Garden of Eden. No where is there a pronouncement of who sinned more. Both sinned and both genders have to pay the price. It is the ‘order’ that Paul is hinting at. Again, this coincides with the role of discernment, that even if women say or teach certain things, men are responsible to discern and to make a responsible judgment. The LORD gave Adam the specific commandment NOT to eat the forbidden fruit. Adam is supposed to teach his wife, and to act upon this injunction actively. He is ultimately responsible. The fact that Eve has yielded to temptation first, and Adam falls next shows us that Adam has not only failed in teaching Eve, he himself is weak.

In other words, there is a certain order of things to observe. Whoever is given the charge and responsibility, God expects this order to be maintained, and practiced. Given that there are so many false teachers and heresy at that time, Paul needs to go back to first principle, that is the Garden of Eden and the order of things. He is concerned about a ‘rerun’ of the Garden of Eden scenario happening in the Ephesus Church. Look at the following table. There is a parallel that Paul is trying to warn Timothy about.

CONCLUSION: Both Adam and Eve have sinned. Greater or not, sins are not to be trifled with. A lesser sin does not meet the mark of a holy life. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That said, this passage alone does not conclusively prove that women has committed a greater sin. Rather, Paul is simply trying to warn all the readers, and to remind Timothy about how easy it is for Adam to fall into sin. Make sure that the teachers there are responsibly teaching the right doctrines in the first place. They must not shirk their responsibilities by letting uneducated and heretic teachers on the loose.


PROBLEM #5 – Women Saved Through Childbearing? (v15)

“But women will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” (1 Tim 2:15)

CONCERNS: What has childbearing got to do with salvation? What then about men? Are men saved?

CONTEXT: Paul is again trying to anchor the church in Ephesus on the crucial roles each member of the Church has to perform. Men are to learn and be faithful to true teachings. They are to be careful of heretical and false teachings. Women who are largely uneducated need to be reminded of their roles in society at that time. By referring to the part about being saved, according the notes from the NET Bible, there are 3 possible interpretations, all of which can be readily dismissed.

1. Christian women can only be saved through bearing children. (if this is so, what about those who are barren? What about men who do not have a womb? Does that mean men will not be saved?)
2. Christian women can be protected through fertility rites. (If that is so, can a woman be her own saviour? This goes against the doctrine of salvation by faith by grace alone.)
3. Women will be saved when Jesus is born via a woman.  (If this is so, why is women singled out? What about the men?)

Thus the most logical explanation is that during that time, the Church of Ephesus are influenced by the worship of Artemis, a fertility god. The cultic teachings then perpetrate a form of learning to save oneself by bearing children. Thus the interpretation of the part about ‘through childbearing’ has to be linked back to the part about ‘faith, love and holiness with propriety.’ Women are not saved per se due to childbearing. They are saved by faith in Jesus, and the term 'childbearing' is a general call for them to recognize their own unique roles as women.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION: Paul refers again back to the specific role of men and women in the Church. Women are not inferior to men. They are different. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. ‘Through childbearing’ is a reference back to the unique role that women has in society. Children can only come from women. If all the women in the world stop conceiving, the world will die a natural death.

CONCLUSION: Paul is warning the women in the Church not to believe the erroneous teaching of Artemis, that one can save oneself by bearing children. Salvation is only in Jesus through faith in Christ.

This concludes the series on women in the Church.

REFERENCES
If you are keen to pursue the topic of women in the Church, it is helpful to look at the two opposing perspectives.

a) The Complementarian View (www.cbmw.org)

b) The Egalitarian View (www.cbeinternational.org)

conrade

Women in the Church - Part 2 of 3

Title: Women in the Church - Part 2 of 3
A Three Part Series on women in leadership and women ministering in the Church
Text: 1 Timothy 2:11-15
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 12 Oct 2010

Yesterday, I introduce the first problem with regards to women in the Church, whether women should shut up when in the Church. Today, I deal with two more questions.




PROBLEM #2 – Can Women Teach in the Church? (v12)

“I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.”

CONCERN: Why is Paul discriminating against women here? Isn’t it true that women play such a huge role in society nowadays, especially in the area of teaching and education.

CONTEXT: Again, remember that the women in general in society are uneducated. It is not a question of capability, but one of a culture during that time. Go to some of the poorer societies in the world, in Asia, Eastern Europe or Africa, and you can still find that most of the privileges and leadership still belong to men. Note that the translation can also be as follows:

“In my opinion it is right for a woman not to be a teacher, or to have rule over a man, but to be quiet.” (1 Tim 2:12, BBE)

This highlights at least two things. Firstly, the ruling is not “God says” but “Paul says.” It is based on what is the best instruction pertaining to that situation. Paul is applying what he deems best at that time. Secondly, the emphasis is ‘domineering’ manner whose attitude is similar to parents not exasperating their children, or wives not pulling their husbands’ ears to force compliance, or an army commander ordering his troops to do hundreds of sit-ups.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION: In our modern day and age, women in the Church have been such a big blessing to all kinds of Christian ministry. Go to any Church. Enter any Christian fellowship. More likely than not, you will see a faithful band of women servants, people who are passionately helping to strengthen rather than weaken the Church. I cannot imagine a Church that excludes women from Christian service. I remember teaching in Sunday School. The number of women outnumbers the men by a factor of at least 5 to 1. In some Churches, there are Sunday School classes packed with women teachers without even a single male in sight. I believe women ought to be allowed to teach in the Church. However, in line with the spirit of Scripture, they are not to teach in a ‘domineering way’ that seems to say: “Me Tarzanie, You Jim.” That will be injecting a form of Amazonian woman culture as superiors and lords over men. In truth, no one except Jesus can lord over us. On earth, men and women are expected to treat one another with mutual respect, and loving correction when needed. Abusive behaviour from any sexes is prohibited.

Personally, I believe that having more teachers willing to contribute their gifts and talents is a good ‘problem’ to start with.  It is simply ridiculous to stop anyone from teaching simply because of gender. Perhaps, the presence of female teachers in our society has less to do with women per se but a veiled reproach on men who fail to step up when they are able to. In other words, men ought not to blame women when men themselves shirk away from their responsibilities. It is like Deborah, who became an unwilling leader of Israel when men like Barak shrugs away their responsibility.

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

“Very well,” Deborah said, “I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh, (Judges 4:8-9)

CONCLUSION: I have no problems with women teaching in religious settings. In fact, the Church will be blessed to have more good teachers, regardless of gender. I have encountered many excellent women teachers and preachers. We have a lot to gain and to learn from them. Not allowing them to speak and exercise their gifts simply because of gender is not only unfair. It is downright silly. That said, there is still a place for male leadership. If the situation arises, where the women in ministry start to boss men around. When they devalue the worth of men, and treat them disrespectfully. When they run the Church in such a domineering manner, that dissolves all gender differences and lead to a confusion of gender roles, I think the line has been crossed.

PROBLEM #3 – "An Unfair Hierarchy?" (v13)

“For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” (1 Tim 2:13)

CONCERN: Is it a problem when God chooses to make man first, and woman second? Does that mean that man has a ‘higher’ level of importance than women?

CONTEXT: When Paul raises the example of Adam and Eve, he is going back to the creation account that reflects a certain order of things. Paul is walking a tightrope in providing some teaching in the Church as well as order in an increasingly chaotic situation. With the threat of false teachings as a background, Paul needs to assert an authoritative voice, since the New Testament are not available to them at that time. Tough times require tough control, which is what Paul is doing. Moreover, it becomes necessary that Paul puts down his feet to stamp out heretic noises and all kinds of confusion going on then. We in the 21st Century need to be careful not to assume that readers at that time have all the Bible materials like we have now.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION: Make a distinction between ‘role’ and ‘importance.’ The verse about Adam and Eve is not saying that Eve is of ‘lesser importance.’ Instead, it is reminding us of our specific roles according to our backgrounds, our calling, our giftings, our situation and our contexts. When we serve the Lord, it is not the position of our hierarchy that matters. Rather it is the posture of our hearts. Do not interpret this verse in terms of bloodline of importance. View it in terms of the roles that we play. We are equal in importance but differ in roles we play.

CONCLUSION: Being formed second does not necessarily means lower importance. Paul is talking more about specific ‘roles’ rather than hierarchical superiority.

Look out for Part Three tomorrow, where I deal with verses 14-15.

conrade

Women in the Church - Part I of 3

Title: Women in the Church - Part 1 of 3
A Three Part Series on women in leadership and women ministering in the Church
Text: 1 Timothy 2:11-15
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 11 Oct 2010

“Is Paul an MCP?” (male chauvinist pig)? I ask a question regarding the controversial passage to a group of men and women. Some quietly defends Paul, but a vocal few fiercely criticize Paul. After all, in our modern world of women’s lib, and open lifestyle of equality and freedom, how many of us can really expect women to be silent? Moreover, some men have been known to say stupid and insensitive things. Ask any wife and they will readily admit their husbands are far from perfect. Open up the papers and look at some public gaffes uttered by some male politicians. Look at 2 of the quotes from the ex-President of the US.

• "I’m honoured to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein"
  
• "I remember meeting a mother of a child who was abducted by the North Koreans right here in the Oval Office"

Humour aside, there is a more serious concern about 1 Timothy. These words of Paul are recorded in the Bible. They are held with high regard and reverence by Christians the world over. If men and women are equally imperfect, why is Paul the Apostle, writing such words that appears so distasteful to our 21st Century ears? More critically, by having these letters canonized as Holy Scripture, isn’t that an unfair advantage ceremoniously awarded to the male gender? Does this contradict the Bible as the credible Word of God? Is the Bible still relevant for our modern world?

Let me start by recognizing that this passage is tough to interpret. Reading the texts makes me uncomfortable. Without any knowledge or background, the injunctions against women are indeed offensive to modern ears. This will be a 3-part series on “Women in the Church.” I shall deal with the passages from 1 Tim 2:11-15, going through a verse at a time. At each verse, I will identify some major concerns, highlight the contexts, suggest some contemporary applications and my conclusion. In the spirit of learning and open discussion, I want to keep this commentary as welcoming as possible. You are welcome to put in your views by using the comment facility in this blog. In Part One, I will deal with the question “Should Women Remain Silent in Church?”

In Part Two, I will discuss two other questions; “Can Women Teach in the Church?” and whether Paul is proposing “An Unfair Hierarchy?”

In Part Three, I will deal with the questions: “Women Committing a Greater Sin?” and “Women Saved Through Childbearing?” Part One will be published on Monday, 11th October, 2010. Part Two on Tuesday, 12th October 2010, and Part Three on Wednesday, 13th October 2010.


A) PROBLEM #1 – Should Women Remain Silent in Church? (v11)

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.”

CONCERN: Why must such a sanction be only for women? Isn’t Paul a sexist? Why must Paul discriminate among men and women? What is the thing about submission? Since Paul is a male, certainly it is easy for him to hem down on women. Can he put himself in the shoes of women?

Looking at it, it is certainly quite an impossible thing to assert in the Church of today. That said, let us look at the context.

CONTEXT: Remember that the problem faced by the Church in Ephesus is a unique one at that time. False teachings and the rampant number of false teachers are Paul’s immediate concerns. Paul is not specifically talking about an absolute gag on women of all ages through time. He is talking about a specific action designed for a specific challenge during the 1st Century. During that time, most women were uneducated. They do not have the privilege to go to school and be educated, unlike the men. Moreover, the culture tends to prefer the men to be the leaders and teachers of religious places. Having said that, the responsibilities placed on men are significantly more serious than those placed on women.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION: Note that Paul is referring to an inner attitude of ‘submissiveness,’ rather than a command for women to bow down and submit to men. What about interpreting the verse to be ‘submissive to God,’ rather than to be overly gender sensitive. That said, what Paul is saying to the women does not necessarily mean the men are excluded. All are supposed to submit to God. We need also to be aware that at that time, readers will understand Paul’s words as referring to the whole Church, not just any particular gender. In other words, the words of Paul are to be assumed applicable to all, but certain genders when mentioned, need to pay particular attention when called. It is like saying, all of us need to obey God, but for certain people they need to pay attention in a more specific way appropriate to their situation. It is not meant to be permanent, but necessary due to the havoc the false teachers are creating.

CONCLUSION: Women nowadays are generally not expected to shut their mouths even in religious situation. They have every right to speak or to stay silent. Whatever they do, it needs to be in line with right teaching and maintaining unity in the Church. As much as women are allowed to teach, men should also be exhorted to step up. The Church belongs Christ. It comprises of both men and women. With better education, and respectable behaviour, women can play a positive and larger role in the Church. Yet, Church discipline goes beyond all genders. If there is a time to keep quiet, stay silent. If it is time to talk, speak up. Do whatever possible to maintain a level of order or discipline within the Church. If the situation at Ephesus are the recur in any of our Churches now, where  gullible people are used by false teachers to spread heresy, leaders of the Church have to step in to rein in the peace disrupters.

Look out for Part Two tomorrow, where I deal with verses 12-13.

conrade