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”.
Free will?
Not the subject here.
The “United Kingdom”?
Not the subject either - but it is breaking apart as we speak with Scottish devolution and Wales having its own legislature and the EU stripping away the power of Parliament, so I might not use that as a great example of the after effects of female national leaders.
It’s a BIBLE TEST - to see how people read and translate the Bible. That’s all.
As can be seen by reading these replies, most conservatives in America today interpret the Bible trough the lens of their own feelings or their own wants.
Or Golda Meier.
Hillary!™ is, of course, exempt. She's no Lady...
What’sherface-of-Arc had some leadership skills as well, IIRC
Indeed, look at Esther and Deborah.
Another thing, the Bible tells us that God gives us the authorities who govern us. If we get a woman, then it must be God’s will.
Yes, they were. We just did a bible study on Judges and it was a real eye opener. I loved it.
Don’t confuse a woman ruling over a government with a woman pastoring a church.
Damn straight. And she wasn’t menopausal, either. She was just convinced.
Oh wait. We’re not allowed to use salty language here anymore, are we?
As was Moses...and Joshua, Samuel and Samson. There were many Judges simultaneously, as was necessary for the people were spread over a wide area (for that time). The Bible mentions only a handful by name, but among them was Deborah. So, it is evident that by recording her name for the ages to come, God has no problem with women in authority, as long as he is the source of that authority. Unlike what happened to Athalia.......
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athalia
“I’m sure their are many women that would be better presidents than any men that we’re running now, including Huckabee.”
My mom and I. Not sure about my sister - not liberal, but lately she’s been worrying me with her views about “health care” and so on.
See #89............
“Women” don’t become presidents, prime ministers, or kings. For that matter, “men” don’t either. A specific individual does, man or woman.
The question isn’t what does God think about “men” or “women” governing, the question is what does God think about this specific individual. That is knowable, that is something you can judge by looking at the person’s history and character.
There are a number of men running, and one woman. The woman and at least some of the men are disqualified from holding leadership because of their policies certainly, and some of them have character problems.
Any of the people running could be molded into a fine president given God’s grace and guidance, people rise to challenges all the time. But as a general rule, its not that hard to know who a person is, they reveal themselves over time. You just have to look. The difficult thing is choosing between flawed human beings. They are all flawed, and they all have very human baggage. You have to choose which baggage you are going to overlook, which has shown himself to be more principled, which has more courage, and whose policies are likely to be successful.
Being moral doesn’t guarantee competence in leadership. Being a competent leader is no guarantee of good moral judgement. They are two separate things, but you need both.
In a paraphrase of Thomas Jefferson, "A little revolution is a good thing".
Because secular authority is not the church, although God rules over both. He rules the church through His Word and the Gospel. He rules the civic realm through law and reason and sometimes through force. This is called "two kingdom theology." Going back to the author's original premise, this passage of Scripture was addressed to people of Israel in the Old Testament. They made no distinction between secular and religious government.
Not all women.
Just tell ‘em you simply misspelled “marsupial” - it will confuse them enough so you can get away. Also, your statement would still be technically correct - we have evidence of her having a pouch...
NOW, but 50-100 years ago, women here were more certain freedom (real freedom) and republican lassiez-faire was the way to go. I guess the problem is women tend to be followers and thus, if the leaders (liberal commie professors and politicos) lead them astray, they easily go.
Amen, Tamar!
hehee! I was referring to the “damn”age, not the M-word!
Either way...
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