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 God’s 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, let’s 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.
Don’t 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 servant’s 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 doesn’t answer the question.
One More Time
So, what is God’s 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”.
Don’t you just love the way mortals presume to apply their own prejudices upon a loving God?
How does this apply to our nation now anyway?
This Presidential race has testosterone on BOTH sides!
Eventually we WILL have a REAL CONSERVATIVE woman as a leader- assuming there’s a country left intact by Socialists and Muslims.
She can NEVER hold up a candle to Margaret or Golda. The USA deserves better.
And Judges were, at the time, the defacto “leaders” of the nation...........
Second it.
...And those choices are not that great either this year.
God didn’t seem to mind Mrs. Thatcher....
True. Why did he give humans freewill if they cannot make a choice?
What rubbish.
I don’t think God would have minded Jean Kirkpatrick.
Plus, there were prophetesses as well as prophets.......
One Biblical woman who can answer all these questions: Deborah.
In the words of my grandmother, “feh!”
Mine, too!
Whatever view He has, it doesn't pertain to America, for ours is a Constitutional Republic under self-rule. Our nation is the people. Our government and political system is not our nation or our ruler, but is a protector of our aggregate and individual rights.
If it fails to do that, then we have a three-tiered ruler, but still not any one individual.
What is the test of that? The test is that we gave ourselves the right to start over, no matter what it takes if our government no longer takes orders from the people but instead becomes a slovenly, reckless, and usurping servant who steals from his Master.
And that reminds me, it's my observation that we are getting extremely close to that time. Anyone else agree?
Because you can't extrapolate what ever you want in Scripture. God made known what was secular and what was for the Church. The same problem arises all the time with people thinking that governments are supposed to be like communists, and support the poor. Jesus was talking about His Church supporting the poor, it had nothing to do with governments. Hugo Chavez uses Scripture to uphold his belief that he should take from the rich to support the poor. Taking is stealing and giving other peoples money to the poor doesn't absolve you from your duty as a Christian.
His warning about keeping women out of power in churches had to do with The Garden of Eden and their ability to be seduced. Men can also be seduced, but women are generally more susceptible.
As you can see today, most problem denominations allow women to be pastors. The churches that allow women to lead also allow abortion, and homosexuality. Women can have positions in a church, but must be answerable to a man. Women shouldn't teach men, but can teach women and children.
Believe me, If Condoleza Rice was running, She most likely would be getting my vote. She may not be my first choice, but look at the gaggle of loons we have running. I would like many women better than the choices we have now. Laura Ingram comes to mind. If I pondered it for an hour, I could probably come up with a few more with the maturity and personality to be president. I can almost guarantee that the Muslims will think the US is leaderless if Hillary is president and plan their attack. How will she react if attacked? Like Bush, or like her husband did for 8 years? Why invite an attack? Will she defend America or want to negotiate with terrorists?
I dunno. Let's ask Her...
Oh, please, this just makes conservatives sound nutty.
You are kidding, right? What denomination are you?
So women can lead nations but not congregations? They can lead men in armies, but not Sunday school classes? Women leading churches leads to abortion and homosexuality but women leading countries does not. Is that what you're saying?
Ha - nicely done
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