WOMAN’S ROLE IN THE

CHURCH(I Timothy 2:8-15)

INTRODUCTION

• Controversial subject• The influence of the world on the

church (Romans 12:2; Revelation 2, 3)

• We looked at the forces at work in the world and in denominations

• We noted some examples of the impact that it has had on the church

Secular (Radical) Feminists

• They oppose the traditional family structure.– “Whereas, The National Organization for

Women has a long, proud commitment to Lesbian Rights and to grass roots activism: . . .BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NOW reject the narrow definition of “family” as promulgated by the right wing and that NOW embrace and renew our commitment to support a broad definition of family including lesbian/gay/bisexual, single parent, and other non-traditional family units.” (Convention Report, 1993)

Secular (Radical) Feminists

• They reject the Bible as anti-women.– “Jesus Christ cannot symbolize the liberation of

women . . . Feminists have to leave Christ and the Bible behind.” (Naomi Goldberg, Changing of The Gods: Feminism and the End of Traditional Religions, p. 22)

– “Exclusively male images of God are killing our spirit by distorting our understanding of masculinity, femininity and mutuality.” (Virginia Mollenkott, The Divine Feminine: The Imagery of God as Female, p. 47)

Liberal Feminists

• They may be religious, but reject Bible texts that don’t agree with their agenda.– Like liberal theologians, they teach that

culture shaped the Scriptures.– They would say that male leadership roles

were a concession to Greco-Roman culture.– Texts that are thoroughly ‘androcentric”,

like 1 Timothy 2, are dismissed as tainted.

Biblical (Evangelical) Feminists

• They claim to accept the Bible as authoritative.– They would say that the Bible is inspired.– However, they believe the texts which

seem to limit the role of women are descriptive, not prescriptive.

– In other words, like the liberal feminists, they would limit the applicability of these texts to the first century.

The Cost Has Been Great

• The family has suffered. (Titus 2:4)• Marriage is viewed by some as an

enslaving relationship.• Secular feminists have been in the

forefront of the sexual revolution.• The church has been affected, so we

must prepare ourselves (Colossians 3:17)

Importance of Women

• Consider the following evidence. – Woman was the crowning act of creation

(Genesis 2:18-24)– Law said to honor father and mother

(Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 1:8)– Women were exalted in the Old

Testament (Proverbs 31: 10-31)– Miriam, Deborah, and Esther (Exodus

15:20, 21; Judges 4:1-5:31; Esther 4:14)– Anna, Elizabeth, and Mary were

important servants of God (Luke 1, 2)

Importance of Women

• Jesus treated women with respect.– Chosen as recipients of revelation

(Luke 10:41, 42; John 4:10-26; 11:25)

– Made sure they were treated fairly (John 8:1-11)

– Praised for their faith and willingness to sacrifice (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 14:3-9)

– Selected to announce His resurrection (Matthew 28:10)

Role in The Church

• Women played a prominent role in the early church. – Devoted to prayer (Acts 1:1-14)– Helped establish local churches (Acts

16:12-15; 18:18-28– Received spiritual gifts (Joel 2:28, 29;

Acts 2:17, 18; 21:9)– Shared the hardships of the Gospel

(Romans 16:1, 2; Philippians 4:3)

Role in The Church

• Limitations on her service. – Equal share in salvation (Galatians 3:28)– Limited role (I Timothy 2:8-15)– Subordinate, but not inferior

(Philippians 2:5-11– Applies to the assemblies of the church

(I Corinthians 14:34, 35– Known for her good works (Acts 9:36;

18:26; Romans 16:1, 2; Titus 2:4)

CONCLUSION

• Women and men must seek after God

• Godly women are precious in God’s sight