The Bible, Women and Leadership

1. The Bible, Women and Leadership

2. The Bible, Women and Leadership

3. The Bible, Women and Leadership

4. Key Issue We have two major views among evangelicals today regarding women in leadership. Q: “Does the Bible teach an abiding principle which places limits on women in church leadership, or not?” Elders shall be men who … Elders shall be those who …

5. Key Quote “Evangelicals have not yet settled the interpretive and theological issues involved … The issues are complex, and even the most enthusiastic of promoters for one side or the other cannot justifiably claim that the opposing view is beyond the limits of orthodoxy.”

6. Key Quote “The need for a more peace making spirit among proponents on both sides of this debate is as strong as ever. Too often more heat than light emerges when people get together to debate about women in ministry. The church cannot afford to waste precious energy and time reflecting excess and overkill. The enemies who truly threaten the integrity of the church are outside its walls, not inside its walls.”

7. Key Questions Do you think this is a salvation issue? Is this issue about being a Bible believer versus being a liberal (playing fast and loose with Scripture)? Do genuine evangelicals hold views in both sides of this debate?

8. Understanding the views “Complementarian” ‘Created Equal with Complementary Roles.’‘Men given primary responsibility to lead.’ “Egalitarian”‘Roles based on giftedness.’Gender irrelevant for Spiritual leadership.’

9.  8: I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.  9-10: I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 11: A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12: I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13: For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14: And Ada`m was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15: But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.. 1 Tim 2:8-15

10. Understanding the views “Complementarian” ‘Created Equal with Complementary Roles.’‘Men given primary responsibility to lead.’ “Egalitarian”‘Roles based on giftedness.’Gender irrelevant for Spiritual leadership.’

11. Understanding the strengths “Complementarian” • … • … • …

12. Understanding the strengths “Egalitarian” • … • … • …

13. Understanding the weaknesses “Complementarian” • … • … • …

14. Understanding the weaknesses “Egalitarian” • … • … • …

15. Can we get along? Should a church split over this?

16. Key Quote "Evangelicals who are egalitarian can affirm the core values of fellow Christians who are complimentarian. What we have in common as Christians far outweighs our disagreements; we must therefore rehearse our shared values frequently and clearly. We must regularly reiterate our support of family values and the responsibility of parents for their children … our commitment to the authority of Scripture, the sacredness of the family, and the centrality of evangelism and missions." Egalitarian quote

17. What can both sides affirm about women in ministry? • … • … • … • …

18. Living with the issues What difference does it make? What is key advise you would give TBC?

19. Women in Ministry in Scripture • Throughout Scripture God incorporated the songs and statements of a number of women in the inspired canon (e.g. Ex 15.21; Jdgs 5; Lk 1.46-55, etc). In as much as the Word of God has authority over believers, these passages constitute examples of women having spiritual authority over all who read them. • Women were given the command to ‘rule’ over creation as were men (Gen 1.27-28). • God commanded Abraham to obey his wife Sarah (Gen 21.12). • Miriam is mentioned as a leader of Israel alongside Moses and Aaron (Micah 6.4). Miriam was also a noted worship leader (Ex 15.20-21). • Deborah served as an admirable judge and leader over Israel (Jdgs 4-5).

20. Women in Ministry in Scripture • Huldah was a prophetess consulted by both men and women (2 Kgs 22.14). Noadiah and Anna are also depicted as prophetesses who could teach (Neh 6.14; Lk 2.36-38). More generally we read in Acts 2.16-18 that your ‘sons and daughters shall prophesy.’ Philip’s four daughters, not surprisingly, had the gift of prophecy (Acts 2.8-9). Nor is it surprising that Paul allowed women to prophecy in church (1 Cor 11.4-5). • God used women as the first Christian evangelists, proclaiming the truth that Jesus had risen from the tomb (Jn 20.16-18). • Both Priscilla and Aquila taught the man Apollos (Acts 18.26). • In Rom 16.1-12, Paul lists a number of women involved in Christian service. Phoebe is called a ‘deacon’ (vv1-2); Priscilla is given equal status to her husband, Aquila, in their kingdom work (vv3-4); Mary is described as a hard worker among the believes (v6); Andronicus and Junia are said to be ‘prominent among the apostles’ (v7); and Tryphosa and Persis are described as ‘workers’ in the Lord (v12). • Paul refers to Eudia and Syntyce as coworkers – as much so as Clement or any man (Phil 4.2-3).