[Dr. Eckleburg]

I agree with Calvin here...

“Two years ago, John Knox in a private conversation, asked my opinion respecting female government. I frankly answered that because it was a deviation from the primitive and established order of nature, it ought to be held as a judgment on man for his dereliction of his rights just like slavery — that nevertheless certain women had sometimes been so gifted that the singular blessing of God was conspicuous in them, and made it manifest that they had been raised up by the providence of God, either because he willed by such examples to condemn the supineness of men, or thus show more distinctly his own glory. I here instanced Huldah and Deborah." (John Calvin in a letter to William Cecil, 1559)

A woman is capable of articulating God's glory. But a woman should be designated as a teaching elder or as a pastor only as a last resort, if no man steps up and assumes the responsibility (and who then becomes "derelict of his rights.")

Sadly, we see men forsaking their God-ordained responsibilities in church and in their families all the time.

[HarleyD]

I would agree with Calvin's view. One may also recall Lydia who, if memory serves me correctly, was the person who started a church in her home. There are several great women of scripture who were driving forces in the creation of early churches. But this is not the way it should be or was ever meant to be. God appoints a shepherd over the church and His natural order is for the leader to be a man according to scripture.

The reason women want to become ordained is not a question of talent but of men failing their leadership responsibilities. The order is out of whack because men don't take on the spiritual responsibilities any longer.