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    “FORBID THEM NOT!”

    Any treatise on the vital issue of “Women and Ministry” has to be broad and inclusive. First, the question must be considered in the total context of Christ’s teachings. 

    The spirit not the letter, must be emphasized. Christ worked within the cultural framework of his times; but the whole thesis, indeed, the very heart of his message elevated the worth and dignity of the individual!

    Even the Apostle Paul admitted that in God’s Kingdom, “There is neither male nor female . . .” (Gal 3:28).

    We also know, beyond the shadow of a doubt that “God is no respecter of persons . . .” (Acts 10:34).

    If women are set apart as different or looked upon as less worthy, then the door is immediately opened to all the things Christ hated most:  Gentiles have fewer options than Jews.  Blacks have fewer options than whites.  The poor have fewer options than the rich.  Once the deadly precedent is set, there will be no end to the discrimination.

    Instead, our Lord showed over and over again that persons are persons and souls are souls.  In his daring defense of the woman taken in adultery, he opposed the tragic evils of a society which condones double standards.  When he approved Mary’s desire for the intellectual involvement that was usually reserved for men, while Martha carried out “a woman’s role” in the kitchen, he was strongly protecting each individual’s right to serve God in his or her own way.

    Salvation means liberation.  The church should be a leader in this area, not a hindrance!

    Second, those who maintain: “If the Bible says it, we must obey,” should be aware that many other cultural customs and explicit commands are not adhered to by most of these same staunch fundamentalists.

    We don’t “raise the dead” “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons . . .” (Matt. 10:8).

    We don’t speak in miraculous “tongues.”  “They were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God . . .” (Acts 10:46).

    We don’t “cover our heads,” (See I Cor. 11:6).

    The elders no longer “Anoint the sick with oil,” (See James 5:14).

    We utterly ignore things like “drinking poison” and “handling snakes.”  But it’s in the Bible! (See Mark 16:17-18).

    We don’t practice “fasting.” “When you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face so that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. (Matt. 6:17-18).

    We certainly don’t give up personal possessions and hold everything “in common.”  “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them” (Acts 4:32).
    How many good pastors obey Paul, and drink wine instead of water?  It’s Scriptural!  (See I Tim. 5:23).

    Of course in most cases we use common sense and disregard those precepts that are irrelevant in today’s society.  Why, then, is this one tenet concerning women clung to with such “righteous” determination, intolerance and downright vindictiveness?

    In the matter of women in the early church, the mores of the times set the stage.  Women and other groups such as Samaritans and Gentiles had little respect and few rights.  Christ brought them a long way, but he didn’t attempt instantaneous social change.  In the areas of women’s rights, as well as slavery and discrimination he clearly presented the principles of human worth and expected steady spiritual growth and insight.  This is indicated by Scriptures such as John 16:12: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now!”

    It’s unfortunate that after two thousand years, the church, with a mission to free and elevate individuals, is still lagging behind government and industry and sports in this crucial matter.

    Third, there are other Scriptures with differing connotations, from the two negative ones in I Timothy 12:11-14 and I Cor. 11:3, which are constantly being quoted.

    Handmaidens do prophesy or preach. “Even upon My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:18).

    There are descriptions of the proper attire for prophesying women (see I Cor. 11:5).

    A woman glorified God in the Synagogue in Christ’s presence and he didn’t tell her to be quiet (see Luke 13:10-13).

    Phoebe and Priscilla are identified as leaders. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.  Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia” (Rom. 16:1-5).

    Lydia was in a place of authority. “And we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.  And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 16:13-15).

    Phillip’s four daughters were evangelists.  “This man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses” (Acts 21:9).

    Christ personally sent out women with a verbal massage to men (see Matt. 28:10).

    The woman at the well proclaimed the gospel to a whole city (see John 4:28-29).

    Apollos was taught by a woman.  “Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures.  This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-26).

    At Pentecost all spoke.  This definitely included many women.  “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers; . . . when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place . . . And . . . the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language.  ‘. . . It shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy . . .’ “ (Acts 1:14, 2:1, 6, 17).

    Some say that because there were no women among the original twelve apostles, this indicates Christ’s disapproval of women in positions of leadership; but there were no Chinese, Germans, Indians or Americans either.  Does that exclude them?

    Furthermore, since no women participated at the institution of the Lord’s Supper, should they therefore not partake today?  These arguments are invalid.  The New Testament, taken in its entirety seems to indicate that women are to fill needs as they occur.

    Fourth, even those who are most adamant and vocal on limiting women’s role do not really advocate following the Scriptural command!  Women teach; write books; go as missionaries; read minutes at business meetings; take part in discussions and cast votes, which often “usurps authority” over men, since women are usually in the majority.

    That’s all fine!  There’s a hang-up only on the words “pastor,” “preach,” and “ordain!”  It’s hypocritical to pick one term and claim the Bible means that!  It says women shouldn’t teach, accept authority or even speak!

    Let’s be honest all the way if we insist upon literalism. Let’s take women from every aspect of denominational life that would be involved by following these controversial passages to the letter!  Or else, let’s quit rationalizing over the one meaning we’ve chosen.  In short, let’s “put up or shut up!”

    The crucial word of contention “ordain” merely means authorized or approved for a purpose.  We do that all the time in voting women into offices, supporting women on the mission field and sending women as messengers to conventions.  In fact, God “ordains” each of us!  He even “ordained” a worm in the story of Jonah!  The same word is used in both cases.

    Christ used strong words about one group placing constraints upon another.  He thundered, “forbid them not” (see Luke 9:50, author’s italics).

    He also declared, “Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (see Luke 10:42, author’s italics).

    Another Mary did an unusual and forbidden thing for a woman, and Jesus said, “Let her alone . . .” (see John 12:3-7, author’s italics).

    In our world today there is a need for denominationally approved workers in the armed service, penitentiaries, hospitals, schools, and churches.  Why do we create hindrances?  We can’t defend this attitude with smugly pious statement about following the Bible.  We’re just not that picky about the many other Scriptures we ignore or explain away as “no longer applicable!”

    This question deserves objectivity.  I’m a lifelong Southern Baptist, writer and teacher with absolutely no desire to be ordained; but I do have a great desire to belong to a denomination that has validity.  I have a desire to belong to a denomination that, for once, shows quiet wisdom in the face of change, instead of the usual emotional, illogical upheaval.

    Once we waxed loud and long about movies until TV forced our hand.  Then dancing among the youth, was a favorite sermon topic.  Again we’ve grown strangely quiet as time and experience have modified our customs.  Now, here we go again, “painting ourselves into another corner.”  Each time, our credibility is weakened.

    The sharply delineated role of pastor/preacher is inevitably fading as various ministries in the areas of administration, youth, senior citizens, counseling, visitation, audio-visual communication, literature and music emerge. Therefore the time is fast approaching when we can’t “hold the line” at the pastoral ministry level.  Preaching is being done by puppets, animated films and countless other media.  Which ones are we going to designate as a “men only” category?

    Imagine what Christ would say, “Oh, ye blind guides that pick at a gnat and swallow a camel.  Have ye nothing better to do in these perilous times than to prohibit the proclamation of the gospel by a large segment of the population?” (See Mark 9:39).

    When will we be able to separate the unwavering truth of God from the normal developments of society?  Gamaliel’s advice seems especially apropos at this point,  “Let them alone: for if this . . . be of men, it will come to naught:  But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39, author’s italics).

    So if it be the work of men it will not last and if it’s of God; there’s no way you can stop it!  “Forbid them not!”


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(WC1880)
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