Society Does Not Determine the Leadership of the Church, the Bible Does

So, I wasn't going to comment on this, but I feel compelled. I may lose friends for this, but I care about what Scripture says as opposed to what people feel in the moment. A lot of people are up in arms about the Southern Baptist Convention's decision to "ban women preachers." Some are vehemently for it.

ON one side, people mention Deborah (who was a judge), Miriam, Anna and the Daughters of Philip the Evangelist (who were prophetesses), the women who were witnesses to the resurrection of Christ, teachers, deaconesses, hosts of churches in their homes, financial backers of Jesus and the Apostles, and other helpers in ministry (not preachers), as well as others who had leadership roles in Scripture.

ON the other side, you have people saying "Men have been the only preachers for 2,000 years!" or "Modern culture does not dictate what the Church should do.”

I will say this: “We’ve always done it this way” is not a Biblical response to anything, nor is “So and so was a judge/prophetess/witness” an argument for the existence of female pastors/elders/overseers of the church. Both sides’ arguments come from either tradition or emotion. There are no "licensed" (at least not in the modern sense) preachers, Overseers and Elders in Scripture, but there are those who are ordained. And the thing is, God left our opinions out of the Bible. Jesus addressed the issues of HIs day by declaring "It is written" or "it is said," or "Have you not read?" and immediately went to the Scriptures. We should too. So, what does Scripture (not our feelings) say?

Scripture says Deborah was a Judge, that those I mentioned before were in the roles they fulfilled, but it also says this:

In 1 Timothy 2, Paul, speaking to Timothy who was in Ephesus:

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control."

In Corinth, Paul said that this happens in ALL the Churches

" For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church." (from 1 Corinthians 14)

I'd remind you of this: this verse is about teaching, but also about women, who have newfound freedoms in Christ, to not abuse those freedoms. Of those who have authority in the Church, it is written:

1 Timothy 3

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”

From Titus 1

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

“For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

Does Scripture say we are all equal at the foot of the Cross? Yes! But let’s understand what Scripture says about that:

Galatians 3:23-29

“Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

The verse that says “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” is talking about inheritance in Christ and being heirs through the Cross, not positioning in the Kingdom! God built us to complement one another. There are things men can bring to the Kingdom that are different, but no less than what women bring, and vice versa. Does Scripture say that women can and do prophecy, witness, share their faith and the Gospel? YES, but it gives reasons for the ruling about leadership within the Church and the qualifications thereof. The key issue is always submission. In Marriage, in the Church, to Parents, which leads to the more important submission to God and to Christ, to one another; submission is all throughout Scripture.

I'm not saying this to be cruel, but where we all go wrong is when we insert our feelings, opinions, and worldly culture in to the Bible. We are only best as we fall in line with the Scriptures. You can hate me and call me whatever names you want, or we can disagree and still be friends, but I am going to stand on the Authority of Scripture regardless of what you or anyone else thinks of me. I’d rather be in line with God’s word, ALL of God’s word, than be right with what society, culture, feelings or opinions state.