But, many women are called to other ministries. In my case, I've been called, along with my husband, as a teacher, and now a web designer, as part of the Bible translation team in a far away country. I have counseled, I share Christ with my students, I disciple women and children as part of that ministry. I have endure hardship including having a gunman accost me, and my family but especially me, malaria, sacrificing time with family left in America, and dengue fever. Show me from Scripture where I have not acted Biblically and then I will consider whether women are not called to ministries other than preaching.
Women are not to speak in church. I do not see, Scripturally, that other modes of ministry are forbidden.
Excellent response! It is just so unnecessary for Christian men to have a knee-jerk reaction to the idea of women being involved in ministry. They take a few verses of Scripture out of their context of both audience and societal norms of the time and then presume they exclude women from having ANY role in the life of the church - ever. Women are not to usurp authority over a man. I don't think this precludes her from EVER speaking in church. Usurpation is: taking (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force, take the place of (someone in a position of power) illegally; supplant, oust, overthrow, remove, topple, unseat, depose, dethrone, encroach or infringe upon (someone's rights). If a woman is invited and asked to speak in a church, I don't see how that qualifies as usurping.
But, like you said, there are many different ways women can serve the Lord and it is up to Him to direct our ways as long as we are surrendered to His leading. Having a theological, Biblical education equips us to do this whether in missionary work, Christian education, Bible studies and/or raising up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
God bless you for your willingness and faithfulness to hear His call and go where He wants you to be. You will reach people for the gospel's sake that perhaps no man might ever have.
I agree with you but I think the word “called” is problematic. A calling usually means a unique call to ordained church office, not equipping or interest in say teaching Sunday school or running women’s bible study.
A bit of a push with the words there imo.
“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house.”—Romans 16:3-5
Your post made me think of the above couple. I scanned Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers on this verse and found it interesting:
“(3) Priscilla.—The correct reading here is Prisca, of which form Priscilla is the diminutive. It is rather remarkable that the wife should be mentioned first. Perhaps it may be inferred that she was the more active and conspicuous of the two.”
I’ve had a few Freeper men throw the passage of Scripture WRT women teaching men in my face on Religion Forum threads where I have expressed disagreement with them on doctrinal issues. I have a college degree in Biblical Education/Theology so I am able to back up my views. I think if they did not know that I was a woman, they most likely would have at least respected and engaged in discussion. Instead, they hide behind “thou shalt not suffer a woman to teach”. Curious about what y’all think about this kind of response?