What do we do with 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (Women Silent in Church)?

The Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians ^

[fortheDeclaration]

Women pretty much run the religious education of kids in my church. They do speak during announcements, testifying, singing, and such, but sermons are deliverd by men. I see a few with their heads covered, but generally not. I agree whole heartedly with your tag line, too. I am an originalist with the constitution as well as the Holy Scriptures.

Amen.

Covering has to do with long hair.

The woman's hair should be longer then the mans to represent a covering, that she was made for man not the Angels.(1Cor.11:14-15)

[fortheDeclaration]

However, the Apostle's forbidding of women "to speak" in the assemblies (cf. 1 Cor 14:34-35; 1 Tim 2: 12) is of a different nature, and exegetes define its meaning in this way: Paul in no way opposes the right, which he elsewhere recognizes as possessed by women, to prophesy in the assembly (cf. 1 Cor 11:5); the prohibition solely concerns the official function of teaching in the Christian assembly. For Saint Paul this prescription is bound up with the divine plan of creation (cf. 1 Cor 11:7; Gen 2:18-24): it would be difficult to see in it the expression of a cultural fact. Nor should it be forgotten that we owe to Saint Paul one of the most vigorous texts in the New Testament on the fundamental equality of men and women, as children of God in Christ (cf. Gal 3:28). Therefore there is no reason for accusing him of prejudices against women, when we note the trust that he shows towards them and the collaboration that he asks of them in his apostolate.

Amen.

[fortheDeclaration]

In our church, women pray, read scripture, and contribute to discussions in leadership meetings of every level. Why, we even had some teach. *Gasp!*

All of that is fine, they are not to be in authority over the men in the church, in the role of Pastor or deacons.

[fortheDeclaration]

The 'home' is to be a Godly place of Godliness in learning....

Amen.

The husband should be the spiritual head of the home and not leave Bible study to the wife, as many men do.

[fortheDeclaration]

But it specifically addresses women, not men. So femaleness has something to do with it. May the men were sleeping.

Probably!

LOL!

[fortheDeclaration]

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." Nope, that's someone who BELIEVES it came from God, a clean different thing.

Well, if you do not believe the Bible is from God, then it is becomes just another book.

[decal]

"Well, if you do not believe the Bible is from God, then it is becomes just another book."

I will admit I don't have much use for Paul, or perhaps it's just the way he's used to justify telling half of humanity that its opinions are of no account...don't go for that, don't go for that at all.

[dsc]

"Wow! what a wise 18-yr-old you have."

Yeah, she passed me up when she was about 12.

[fortheDeclaration]

I will admit I don't have much use for Paul, or perhaps it's just the way he's used to justify telling half of humanity that its opinions are of no account...don't go for that, don't go for that at all.

Paul never said any such thing.

What Paul does stress is that there is a difference (gasp!) between men and women.

See 1Pe.3 also where Peter points out that women are to follow the example of Sarah and call their husbands 'lord'.

[decal]

"Paul never said any such thing..."

"The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church."

Just exactly what part of this baldly plain statement am I misunderstanding then?

Does Mrs fortheDeclaration call YOU "Lord"?

[fortheDeclaration]

Paul never said any such thing..." "The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church." Just exactly what part of this baldly plain statement am I misunderstanding then?

The statement refers to a very specific limitation, regarding church leadership.

Nowhere does Paul state that women are inferior to men in spiritual gifts or ability.

In fact, he states they are equals (Gal.3:28).

But going back to the Fall, a hierarchical structure was set up for the woman's protection.

Does Mrs fortheDeclaration call YOU "Lord"?

Yes, all the time.

Actually, the point the verse is making is that the woman is to have the same attitude toward their husbands that she had towards Abraham.

Husbands, likewise are to love their wives the way that Christ loved the Church (Eph.5:25-29)

[k2blader]

Glad to be in agreement. :-)

[k2blader]

May[be] the men were sleeping.

*LOL*

On a serious note, I suspect preaching back then was way more "fired up" than it seems to be today.

[thomaswest]

"Well, if you do not believe the Bible is from God, then it is becomes just another book."

A rather old book at that. Before there was any understanding of eggs and sperm in reproduction. Before there was any understanding of the solar system. Before there was any understanding of the Germ Theory of Disease, not to mention evolution.

A book from 2000 years ago, limited by the writers from that era, is clearly not of scientific or moral importance for modern conservative thought. Based on science, Noah's Flood could never have happened. Observation, thought, awe take over from unrefined faith.

[xzins]

In a synagogue service I attended in Germany, the mostly Russian Jews in attendance separted themselves into females on one side and males on the other. I understand that was also practiced in bible times and that there was a separating curtain between the two.

Since women (wives) are elsewhere instructed that they can pray and prophesy in church, then the intent of this passage is different than telling them to keep their mouths shut.

It could very well be an instruction NOT to hold side conversations during the church service. Such conversations truly would be disruptive and would call forth the response, "ask your husband when you get home" (rather than interrupt the service.)

[Fzob]

Bump for later

[beaver fever]

I think Paul was a women hating homo.

[Sloth]

The passage about teaching men in I Timothy cites creation principles (Adam & Eve) as its reasoning, so it would not be merely a cultural issue of the first century.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

LOL.

And Satan is still approaching woman to deceive.

Just as Eve was deceived into rebellion against God, and just as Adam followed along, it was woman who was deceived into believing that homemaking and raising children was demeaning and unfulfilling and it was man who stupidly followed along, just to state one example.

We now see the pathetic results of that.

Just as the Bible states, all Scripture is inspired by God, politically correct or not and whether or not it happens to adhere to modern mores. We can twist ourselves into pretzels trying to bend the Word of God into fitting own human desires and beliefs, but somehow the Word always bounces back and stands always as absolute truth.

Its just a shame that instead of claiming the promise of Christ to "have life more abundantly", we kick Him to the curb and determinedly, repeatedly ram pell-mell into the wall of deception and failure.

[jboot]

A book from 2000 years ago, limited by the writers from that era, is clearly not of scientific or moral importance for modern conservative thought...Observation, thought, awe take over from unrefined faith.

Why bother with church at all then? Wouldn't your Sunday mornings be better spent at the museum, or the library? I sense a strong note of cognitive dissonace here.

If I believed as you do, I would never darken the door of a church. After all, an institution based on obsolete doctrines is ultimately of no value.