True biblical theology is a difficult message for those inside the church because this can sometimes be hard. We are not talking about the loving blue-eyed, blonde hair surfer Jesus who is knocking at the door begging to come in. This is not the image that most Christians want to be confronted with. Most just want to curl up on the sofa to be warmed and comforted and that’s all. When Christians do that they sacrifice the truth of the Word of God and when that happens other things creep in.
Women pastors and women elders – sorry folks – 1 Timothy 2, 1 Timothy 5, Titus 1 negate the idea of a woman being a pastor. A pastor is an elder and the Bible says the elder is to be “a husband of one wife”. Literally in the Greek it is “a one woman man”. That is what it says! I don’t care if you don’t like it, I really don’t. You just need to change your opinion and you need to conform it to the Word of God. I’ve talked to people about this before. There are women pastors here in the Chattanooga area and you know what, they are in sin because they are in the position of being a pastor when they are not called to be that. People have told me before, “But they feel called” or “they say they are called”. So I simply respond with “Experience over Scripture, huh?” Well you’re being too mean Ty!
Sorry. When the watchman is on the wall and the enemy is coming how does he deliver the message? Does he gently say, “Ummm. Excuse me folks. I don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable but maybe some of you might want to get up just a weeee bit early and get your swords and shields because the enemy is coming” as he gently tip-toes around the room? No!
What does the watchman do on the tower? He rings the sound of the bell and he makes a loud noise and the people who understand what that means gather themselves together, they grab their weapons and they get ready to fight. They do exactly what they have to do! This is what we are supposed to be doing inside of the Christian church. That is all I want to do…..To point ahead and point to the enemy, then point back to the Church and say, “Look church you’ve got to clean this up!”
I’m not saying anything authoritative I’m just reading what the Word of God says. When the sovereignty of God is demoted and the sovereignty of man is elevated then we have compromised. When we compromise in one thing it is not long before we will compromise in another. Now woman have become pastors and elders, soon homosexuals will be in the same roles if we don’t do something about it.
Scripture is told to be allegorical, Adam and Eve were not real people, theistic evolution is a possibility, so let’s all just get along and hold hands as we are skipping down the lane right to the edge of the cliff. Right? Wrong!
But we who hold to Scripture as the infallible, inerrant Word of God, we who esteem the person of Jesus Christ in truth…we are the ones who are pointed to as being bigots, intolerant, and hateful. So you see truth is just not that tasty sometimes is it?
The more I hear the more I am concerned for the Christian church. The more I think about it I understand that the Christian church needs to get its act together. It needs to clean its own ranks and get rid of the false teachers. Christian pastors and Christian elders need to stand up against the unrighteousness in the world. They need to do this with love and severity, with truth and with strength. We all need to commit ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ and say “No. I will not compromise.”
10 comments:
I read the chapters in Timothy and I see what you are saying, yet it doesn't say it's a sin.. Why is that?
Thanks for posting! Does it have to mention that it is a sin? If the Bible, which is the Word of God, gives a command and we ignore it...don't you think that is a sin? I sure do...
After reading this post, I was a bit put off. You are correct about the Greek translation, but emphasis behind the translation also means ' A Man that has only been wed to one wife". Many churches hold to this as well. Also, to compare a woman pastor to a homosexual one is truly offending. One is an abomination the other was created by God for Adam.. two very different things. I felt really insulted reading that comparison.
Also, another point.... If women pastors are such sinful creatures for preaching the gospel..then what about all the people that have came to accept Christ during a service preached by a woman? Are you suggesting that they are not really saved, because a woman preached the service, Couldn't possibly be preaching "The Real Word" therefore their salvation is null and void? Totally think you have a bit of a " whatever fits best for me is what I preach" and then cloak it under -This is What the Bible says.. Trying being humble and realize you can't have it both ways.
According to you the literal Greek could be "A Man that has only been wed to one wife". Ok, how does a woman fit that description? Can she?
Secondly, I am simply comparing that when people begin to ignore God's Word other error's creep in. We see this in churches all over, don't we? With the ordination of woman as pastors comes liberal theology in so many denominations.
I love women. My wife is one and so is my mother. :) Woman are needed and greatly under appreciated in the church, but their role is NOT to be a pastor or an elder.
Are you male or female? Are you a pastor or an elder? Let's get to what your presuppositions are.
Thanks for posting!
Woman pastors are sinful creatures just as male pastors are sinful creatures. My claim is that what they are doing is sinful NOT what they are? Big difference there. That is a straw man argument if I have ever heard one!
Am I suggesting that they are not saved? Not at all! I never claimed that did I? God can use any means to save people that He chooses. Can’t He?
You ask “what about all the people that have came to accept Christ during a service preached by a woman?” I ask you…So you believe in experience over Scripture too, huh? That is a pragmatic approach. The question isn’t “what works?” The question is “what is right?” God is clear in His Word that the office of pastor and elder is for men only.
You can’t have it both ways either. If women are allowed to be a pastor or elder then I guess the Bible is wrong isn’t it? If you claim to believe the Bible then why don’t you believe what it plainly says about this issue?
So, how can a woman be “a one woman man”? Just wondering?
The Greek translation I was clarifying, not correlating it with your message. The Greek translation had nothing to do with the heart of my issue, other than to point out that divorced men are also expempt from preaching. However, I think you did answer my question, and feel free to correct me, since it is your blog.. You don't beileve that a person can truly be saved if they accept salvation from a church with a woman pastor. As for a Straw man argument, that is your opinion, but one I think is valid.
You : Am I suggesting that they are not saved? Not at all! I never claimed that did I? God can use any means to save people that He chooses. Can’t He?
Me : My point exactly.. He certainly can chose anyway he sees fit, even if it's to call a woman to preach.
But, by saying that women are commiting a sin for pastoring, you are infact saying that they cannot preach a true salvation, and someone that accepts that salvation has accepted false.
Just like a " Man" cannot be out boozing, whoring, watching pornography and still say he is faithful to his wife.
Thank you for clarifying your question. Here is my answer. I believe that a man or a woman can be saved no matter who is preaching. God can use any means that He seems fit to bring about salvation in the heart of anyone. It is God alone who saves. My words or your words are nothing unless God deceides to move upon the heart of someone and cause them to be born again. I hope that answer will do.
You said that, "He certainly can chose anyway he sees fit, even if it's to call a woman to preach". No He cannot call a woman to preach. Please allow me to explain.
The Bible is clear that a pastor or elder is be the "husband of one wife". The pastor or elder is to be a man. The Bible gives this command. Therefore if the Bible is inspired by God then God cannot contradict His own command. If this was the case God would then be self-contradictory and by His very nature He cannot. The Bible says "Do not lie" therefore God cannot lie. The Bible says "Do not steal" therefore God cannot steal. He cannot bring Himself out of existence and then back into existence again. If He were to do these things He would be violating His own nature.
Why do you want God to violate His very nature by contradicting Himself in Scripture? Why won't you simply believe what the text says?
The first 2 preach Jesus to the Jews was a woman (see Luke 2:37,38)
The first to proclaim the resurrection was a woman (see mat 28:8)
The Samaritan woman preached to men (see John 4)
Were in attendance at the first prayer meeting (see acts 1:14)
the First people to greet Paul and Silas where women (see acts 16:13)
First European converts where Woman (see acts 16:14)
The 3 daughters of Phillip Paul recognized as Preachers
Math 28:18 was not gender specific Jesus gave the great commission to both men and women
Joel 2 says that the Lord will pour out his spirit on all flesh and his sons AND Daughters will prophecy (aka preach)
I guess you and I will have to agree to disagree.
Also, I understand that God says that a woman should submit to her husband and be under his spiritual authority/
I pose the question? Can a woman lead a church as long as she is submitting to her husbands spiritual authority?
Another thing.. The bible is also clear on man not preaching, who is not married : Nor a man who is childless...And, on men who have divorced, not widowed, but divorced.
The problem I seem to not be able to agree ( with various people) is that : An allowance has been made for men to preach who are single, divorced or childless.. Can you tell me your thoughts on that?
ALso, do you see that as a "gateway" sin and liberal view that will foster in the likes of homosexuals preaching?
Thanks Anonymous
For my comments please visit...
http://furtherthekingdom.blogspot.com/2009/08/women-in-ministry.html
Thanks!
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