Posted on 02/01/2008 7:52:05 AM PST by Jonathan
A Question to Ponder
It may too late in the process, but I thought we should ask this question: What is Gods view of a woman as the head of a nation? How we answer that question will, of course, betray our system of Bible interpretation; so, lets ask the text.
In the midst of his pronouncement of awful judgment, Isaiah states as part of that judgment, As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
If this were a simple exception, we might pass it by without asking what it means to the whole of mankind. If the scripture speaks for itself, without our isolating texts, then the evidence is compelling. We would begin by asking some overarching questions: Whom did God choose to write the Scriptures? Who did Christ choose as His disciples? Who are those entrusted with the biblical leadership of the local church? This list is a yard long. The short list that includes Deborah and the great lady of Proverbs 31 is the exception, not the rule.
Dont Miss the Point
This has absolutely nothing to do with the value God places on women. Godly women are important and are greatly used of our Lord, but always within assigned roles. I thank God every day for my godly mother and my godly wife. During my more than thirty-seven years as a pastor, some wonderful women were placed by God to serve with distinction in those local churches. Their servants spirits were an inspiration to everyone who knew them.
The protection and grace extended by God to women is a great witness to the heart of biblical Christianity. The elevation of women to a place of respect, as found in the Bible, is in marvelous contrast to other religions. None of this, however, gives us the answer to the proposed question.
Nor is the question answered by the law of any land. I chuckle when I imagine anyone suggesting that Jezebel was a fine individual just because she was a queen! It is true that God sets up and deposes rulers. Romans 13:1 says clearly that the powers that be are ordained of God. This tells us that God is sovereign, but it doesnt answer the question.
One More Time
So, what is Gods view of a woman ruling a nation? Feminists would say there should be no job limitations for women. Those who isolate texts would say on this issue that it is limited to marriage or to the local church; however, that serves only to reveal their system of interpretation. Philosophers would say that it makes a difference if the woman in question is a godly woman. These approaches only frustrate the discussion, because with them we are still asking man what he thinks; and man is such a flawed source.
We end up right back where we began. What does the text say? It says that in the middle of an awful judgment the people get what they deserve, and women rule over them.
That distance, and his sound Biblical outlook must provide some clarity to the national suicide that America is heading fast towards.
God didn’t seem to mind Mrs. Thatcher....
I don’t think the Baptists are too high on the idea.
“and women shall rule over them”
Sounds like he's pandering to the misogyny of people who apparently aren't as "converted" as they claim.
Or is it maybe WE didn’t mind Mrs. Thatcher?
How do you know God didn’t mind Mrs. Thatcher?
Personally, I respect her and like her ... but I’m a fallible mortal ... .
yeah, the rule was flexible for her...Britain needed her badly because of the wimphood of so many men over their.
I’m a Baptist. The Bible says NOTHING against a woman holding governmental authority.
You and me both, friend.
But the notion that God doesn’t want women leaders, or that God will judge countries who elect women, is silly if not downright offensive. More appropriate to the sort of people the author is reportedly converting.
Then what’s the excuse for the comments already piling up on this thread? Former Muslim infiltrators? :)
If Billy Graham says she would make a good leader they will follow the pack in droves.... Huckabeee mind you -- McCain's siphon offfff from the Clinton base...
"But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."
...Or even the late Golda Meir lead as a pm in Isreal itself.
This article could have been writen because the teacher knows that the USA is looking closely at having its first woman President elected.
I wasn't aware that God's rules were particularly flexible.
The UK selected a woman to rule, and God declined to rain judgment down on their little green island.
Seems pretty conclusive to me that the author is talking out of his hat, to put it mildly.
Doesn't your church use 1 Timothy 2:12 as an excuse for keeping women out of the ministry? Why should authority in secular life be any different?
How do we know God didn’t mind all those men?
The scripture quoted isn’t convincing to me. It may be simply an allegory for “wimpy and weak-kneed”.
Christianity, specifically, was derided as the religion of “women and slaves”. Wonder why.
Margaret Thatcher was not called “the Iron Lady” for nothing.
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