The Bible, Women and Leadership

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The Bible, Women and Leadership
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The Bible, Women and Leadership
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The Bible, Women and Leadership
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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
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Understanding the views
Complementarian Created Equal with
Complementary Roles. Men given primary
responsibility to lead.
EgalitarianRoles based on giftedness.Gender
irrelevant for Spiritual leadership.
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 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 Adam was not the one deceived it was
the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.
15 But women will be saved through
childbearingif they continue in faith, love and
holiness with propriety.. 1 Tim 28-15
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Understanding the views
Complementarian Created Equal with
Complementary Roles. Men given primary
responsibility to lead.
EgalitarianRoles based on giftedness.Gender
irrelevant for Spiritual leadership.
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Understanding the strengths
Complementarian

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Understanding the strengths
Egalitarian

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Understanding the weaknesses
Complementarian

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Understanding the weaknesses
Egalitarian

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Can we get along?
Should a church split over this?
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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
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What can both sides affirm about women in
ministry?

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Living with the issues
What difference does it make? What is key
advise you would give TBC?
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Women in Ministry in Scripture

1. 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.
2. Women were given the command to rule over
   creation as were men (Gen 1.27-28).
3. God commanded Abraham to obey his wife Sarah (Gen
   21.12).
4. 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).
5. Deborah served as an admirable judge and leader
   over Israel (Jdgs 4-5).

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Women in Ministry in Scripture

1. 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. Philips 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).
2. God used women as the first Christian
   evangelists, proclaiming the truth that Jesus had
   risen from the tomb (Jn 20.16-18).
3. Both Priscilla and Aquila taught the man Apollos
   (Acts 18.26).
4. 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).
5. Paul refers to Eudia and Syntyce as coworkers
   as much so as Clement or any man (Phil 4.2-3).