Some Christian men, however, have set themselves up as authorities in the institutional church and implemented systems of control that turn pockets of evangelicalism into cultism. The most prominent example of cultism within evangelical Christianity is the system of behavior imposed on women within the ekklessia (assembly) of Christ. Christian women are told by some authoritative church leaders that "women must never teach men; women must be silent in the assembly; women must not have any authority over men, and women should seek to be passive servants to, and receivers of, male leadership, but should never exhibit characteristics of vibrant leadership when males are present." This system of behavior for women is cultic; for it is definitely not Christian nor is it consistent with the teachings of Scripture.
The Scriptures and the Freedom of Women
The New Testament gives many examples of women teaching men (cf. Luke 2:25-38; Acts 21:9; John 4:28-29). Women served as deaconia in the early church (cf. Romans 16:1-2). Women were co-laborers with men in Christ's kingdom (cf. Romans 16:3) and at least one of Christ's apostles was a woman (cf. Romans 16:7). Males and females accompanied Jesus throughout His earthly ministry (cf. Luke 8:1-3). Gifted men and women spread the good news of the kingdom. God first used women to preach (proclaim) the resurrection of His Son (cf. John 20:1-2). Male disciples later proclaimed the resurrected Christ in the same manner female disciples first preached Him (cf. Luke 24:1-11). Women in the upper room at Pentecost received the same Spirit and the same gifts as men (cf. Acts 1:14-15). God is emphatic that in the days of the New Covenant both males and females will prophesy of Him (cf. Acts 2:17-18). The Apostle Paul encouraged men and women to teach, to pray and to fully participate in the assembly (cf. I Corinthians 11:4-5 and I Corinthians 14:23-24). God clearly reveals to us that Christian men and women should serve as they are gifted by the Spirit. Any imposed restrictions on women speaking, teaching, or leading in the assembly of Christ is contrary to inspired revelation of God's word. So if the New Testament teaches that men and women are gifted by the Spirit to do the work of the kingdom, why do some put a system of restrictions on women, a system totally contrary to the overall tenor and explicit teachings of holy Scripture?
Stupid, Stupid, Stupid
Several years ago I was called by the Tulsa Police Department to a home where a young man committed suicide by cutting off his right hand with a pocket knife and bleeding out. We found him dead with his head slumped to his chest and a pool of blood at his feet. Before the young man died he laid his pocket knife on the middle of an open Bible with these words underlined: "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut if off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown in hell" (Matthew 5:30). I will never forget the gruesomeness of discovering the young man's right hand in a trash can, nor the words of the lieutenant as he walked around the room muttering under his breath, "Stupid, stupid, stupid." We were later told that the man had struggled for years with pornography and masturbation. The man took the words of the Bible and obeyed them. However, there is something mighty stupid about a man who reads Scripture and acts on words without taking time to look at their meaning, particularly when the overall tenor and teaching of Scripture is opposite of the action he is compelled to take!
If anybody ever tells you that women should never teach men, or that women should never be in leadership over men, or that women should be silent around men, then you should be kind to person (as always), but possibly mutter under your breath about such ideas, "Stupid, stupid, stupid." These people, well intentioned as they may be, are committing spiritual suicide by acting on words of Scripture without looking at their meaning. The system they seek to impose is opposite to the overall tenor and teachings of Scripture on the subject of women (see above). Here are the words some misuse and create environments conducive to spiritual death: "In like manner also, see that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."( I Timothy 2:9-15: emphasis mine)
I recently had a Christian man paraphrase for me I Timothy 2:9-15 and then tell me, "I will never have a woman lead me, teach me, or allow myself to be in a position where women usurp my authority over them because I believe the Bible!" My friend has the problem of reading words of Scripture and acting on them without taking time to understand their meaning. Until you understand the problem Timothy faced (the man to whom the words in I Timothy 2:9-15 are written), and until you are familiar with Ephesus (the place where Timothy lived), and until you have a working knowledge of the Amazons (the warrior women that the ancient Greeks believed founded Ephesus), and until you comprehend the influence of the cult of Artemis and the Temple of Artemis which was in Ephesus, the meaning of the Apostle Paul's words will never be rightly understood. F. F. Bruce once wrote, "Subjugation of a woman is a system of man's fallen nature. If the work of Christ involves... breaking the fall, then the implication of His work for the liberation of women is plain." Jesus Christ came to liberate subjugated women. The cultism in evangelicalism regarding women's behaviors will only be broken when people lay aside stupid, false obedience to I Timothy 2:9-14 and realize the meaning of Paul's words to Timothy.
Ephesus and The Temple of Artemis
Rachelle and I went with a group of friends to visit the ruins of ancient Ephesus (located in southwest Turkey) recently. Ephesus was the location of the most magnificent of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World--The Temple of Artemis.This is the first temple in the world made completely of marble. The richest man in the world in his day, King Croesus (595-547 B.C.) of Lydia (modern Turkey), ordered the Temple of Artemis be constructed in honor of the Greek goddess Artemis. Work on the Temple of Artemis began in 550 B.C. and took over a century to complete. King Croesus lived long enough to stuff the foundation of the Temple of Artemis with tens of thousands of gold coins to serve as talismans, ensuring the Temple's protection from destruction. Generations of people, even in America, have used the phrase "Rich as Croesus" to describe wealthy people in their day. King Croesus is given credit by many historians as the inventor of cold and silver coinage. His wealth is legendary, and he gave his riches to fund the building of the Temple in Artemis. Croesus was a contemporary of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire. Cyrus was the king who defeated the Babylonians, freeing the Jews from their Babylonian captivity, enabling them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild Solomon's Temple. Therefore, the Temple of Artemis and the Second Temple in Jerusalem were built during the same time period (the 6th century B.C.).
However, it was only the Temple of Artemis that became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World because of its stunning beauty. The Temple of Artemis was a temple dedicated to the power, beauty and strength of women. Marble artesians from all over the world carved Amazon women into the base of the 120 columns. Amazons were "warrior women" from an area north of Ephesus and the Black Sea (modern Ukraine). These Amazon women were known for their fierce fighting ability and had been made famous by the Greek poet Homer in his portrayal of them in The Iliad. Homer (c. 750 B.C.) also gave tribute in The Iliad to Artemis, the Greek goddess of women and of war. Artemis is called by Homer "Artemis the Hunter, Queen of the Wild Beasts" (Iliad 21.470). Artemis is also presented as the goddess Phosphorous or Light (Strabo, Geo. 1.9.). If worshipped properly and prayed to during childbirth, Artemis promised to deliver women from death while giving birth. For this reason, women in the ancient world revered and worshipped Artemis. Likewise, men worshipped Artemis during times of battle and war. Since the ancient world was always at war, Artemis was often on the lips of men during times of battle. The Greek men (and later the Romans) prayed to Artemis (the Romans called her Diana), not Apollo in time of battle. In Greek mythology, Zeus fathered the twins Artemis and Apollo through the Titaness Leto. The Artemus cult taught that Artemis was superior to Apollo because she came (was born) born first.
When men and women entered the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, the women would wear fancy hair braids, bedeck themselves with jewelry and ornate clothes as they prayed to Artemis. Heliodorus said, "Their locks of hairs carry their prayers." There were no sacrifices in this Temple. The women worshipped Artemis with their clothing, jewelry, and their words. Artemis, in turn, gave them their sexual prowess over men and their deliverance during childbirth. Likewise, men came to Artemis, acknowledging their need of her strength during time of war. The men would hold up hands, palms up, just above their waist as they prayed for victory in battle. Not surprisingly Ephesus, above all other places in the ancient world, celebrated the power, strength and beauty of women and their ability to use their sexual prowess to manipulate and dominate men. The Temple operations, which included prostitution and craftsmen who sold gold and silver idols of Artemis, drove the economy of Ephesus. Hundreds of thousands of people visited the city annually.
Paul and Timothy's Presence in Ephesus in the Midst of the Artemis Cult
Acts 18:24 through Acts 20:1 records for us that Paul and Timothy spent three years in Ephesus (c. A.D. 55-58), by far the longest time Paul spent in any one city during his three missionary journeys. Paul almost lost his life during a riot in the city because silversmiths who made little statues of the goddess Artemis were upset that Paul and Timothy were cutting into their business by winning converts to Christianity. Paul would later write in I Corinthians 15:32 that he "fought wild beasts at Ephesus." Did he fight lions, tigers and bears? No, the wild beasts were the people of Ephesus who were devoted to Artemis, "The Queen of the Wild Beasts." When Paul left Ephesus in A.D. 58, he traveled south for about 30 miles to the island of Miletus and then called for wise leaders of the church in Ephesus to join him at Miletus where he said to them, "After I leave, savage wolves will come among you and will not spare the flock. Even some among you will arise and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them" (cf. Acts 20:29-30).
Sure enough, less than five years later (A.D. 63) the Christians in Ephesus were in trouble. There were some women or maybe even a single woman, most likely a new convert out of the Artemis cult, who had begun to teach false truth in the assembly at Ephesus. Timothy is sent to Ephesus to help the church and give some correction. Timothy sends to Paul a letter from Ephesus, giving Paul an update on what is happening and asking some specific questions about how he should proceed (a letter that is not extant). The Apostle Paul sends a response to Timothy, a letter we now call I Timothy. It's important to remember (as we have seen) that nowhere in Scripture does Jesus, Paul or any other apostle restrict women in the assembly. In fact, when a false teacher nicknamed Jezebel begins to have influence among believers in the city of Thyatira, Jesus does not reprimand the church for having a female teacher, but rather He upraids the church for not doing anything about her false teaching (cf. Revelation 2:24).
The Meaning of I Timothy 2:9-15
Now, let's put up I Timothy 2:9-15 again in order to discover the meaning of the words in light of what we know about the Artemis cult in Ephesus:
"In like manner also, see that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."( I Timothy 2:9-15)(1). "Let the woman adorn themselves in modest apparel" (v. 9).
Obviously, there were women coming to the assembly of Christ in Ephesus similar to the way they used to go to the Temple of Artemis, dressed to kill, with braided hair, gold, pearls and fine clothing. Paul is letting Timothy know that this mode of dress, particularly in the city of Ephesus, was not conducive to the worship of Christ. What Christ desires is the beauty of goodness toward others, not the drawing attention to oneself in public.
(2). "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection" (v. 11).
The reason I believe the problem in Ephesus is a particular woman who is in a teaching position within the assembly of Christ is because the noun "woman" is in the singular, not the plural. In verses 9 and 10, women is in the plural, but in verse 11, Paul switches to "the woman" or possibly that woman about whom Timothy has written Paul. It can't be a universal prohibition for all time against all women ever teaching men in the assembly because (a). That would violate the tenor and teaching of the rest of Scripture where women frequently taught men, and (b). Paul has elsewhere encouraged men and women to teach, to pray and to fully participate in the assembly as they are gifted (cf. I Corinthians 11:4-5 and I Corinthians 14:23-24).
Further, the word translated silence is hesuchia (quietness). It is used in I Timothy 2:2 to describe what the character of every believer should be, both males and females. It never means "don't speak," but addresses the character of humility. This woman in Ephesus, coming out of a society saturated with the power, strength, abilities and even domination of women through the Artemis cult, needed to realize that she had a great deal to learn about Christ and His kingdom.
(3). "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (v. 12).
This is the key phrase. First, the phrase translated "I suffer not a woman to teach" is literally in the tense of "I am not now permitting a woman to teach." Again, the woman not now permitted to teach is in the singular. It is the same woman of verse 11. This woman needs to learn in quiet humility before she ever presumes to teach, because she is still too influenced by Artemis cultic beliefs. This verse can NEVER be used as a proof text for women never teaching men or having "authority" over men.
(a). Deborah gave counsel and taught men and women about the Law of God (cf. Judges 2:16-19; 4:1-5:31). Huldah prophesied to Israel the word of the Lord and led the men of Israel (2 Kings 22:14-20). Priscilla and Aquila explained more perfectly to Apollos the way of God in Ephesus (cf. Acts 18:19-26). Most importantly, when Jezebel was teaching error to the church in Thyatira, Jesus never once told the church they were wrong for having a woman teach or lead them; He simply said they were wrong for not rejecting her false teaching (Revelation 2:18-29).
(b). "I suffer not a woman .... to usurp authority over the man" (v. 13).
This phrase "usurp authority" translates one Greek word authentein. This word is used only one time in all of Scripture--let me repeat that again--this word authentein is used only once in the entire Bible, right here in I Timothy 2:12. This word was used, however, in classical Greek literature and it meant "to murder someone." Paul could have chosen nearly fifty Greek words to speak of the ordinary exercise of authority, but he chose a word that more represents someone "dominating, controlling, or subjecting one to harm." Of course, this is precisely what the Artemis cult taught women to do. Artemis was the female goddess of fertility and war. Women in Ephesus were taught to use their voices, their charm, their sexuality and their beauty to dominate, control and subjugate men. It seems that this woman in Ephesus was causing trouble in the church by behavior in the assembly of Christ that was way too similar to the ways of the Artemis cult from whence she came.
(4). "For Adam was formed first, then Eve."
Timothy, tell the woman causing problems that her notion she should always have the floor and direct the assembly because she believes women are superior to men--since Artemis came first and Apollo came second--is a misguided belief. The truth is God created man first then He formed Eve from Adam, so it is very appropriate for her, a woman who considers herself a descendent of the Amazons, to sit quietly and learn from those who are older and wiser, even if they are males! Artemis taught the power of women to dominate men through sexual prowess, but Christ teaches that men are equal to women and there's nothing wrong with a woman learning from others (even men) before she begins to teach men.
(5). "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression" (v. 14).
And Timothy, remind her that the Scriptures teach that Eve was decieved. Contrary to what she learned in the Temple of Artemis, males are not always her problem. To be deceived and in need of correction is just as much a possibility for her as it was for Eve. She must move away from her belief in female superiority, a belief reinforced by the Artemis cult.
(6). "Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety" (v. 15).
Timothy, tell this woman that she will be okay during childbirth, even if she totally and fully renounces her trust in Artemis. Yes, she lives in a culture that teaches Artemis alone saves a woman from death during childbirth, but the truth is Christ holds the keys of life and death. When women continue in faith, hope and love--avoiding the sexual immodesty and looseness on display in the Temple of Artemis and the worship of the goddess of fertility and war--it will be the one true God who delivers them from death during childbirth, not Artemis.
(7). And finally, Timothy, I wrote this letter to help you with the problems in the assembly in honor of "Him who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see" (I Timothy 6:16).
The people of Ephesus called Artemis the goddess of Light. The men approached Artemis in the Temple with hands raised above their waist praying for victory in battle and in war. Paul reminded Timothy in this same chapter that Christian men should approach Christ in worship with their hands raised and pray for peace with all men, not war. (Timothy 2:5). Christian women, come before Christ with a sense of modesty and humility, realizing that the ways of Christ are opposite of the ways of Artemis. Paul's entire personal letter to Timothy was an encouragement to him to "fight the wild beasts of Ephesus" and be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ and correct the errors brought into the church by "savage wolves" who were remaining under the influence of Artemis theology.
33 comments:
Wade,
Thank you for your timely and informative comments..As always they contain much to dwell upon.. Appreciate this article more than you know,having been on the end of those who attack ones commitment to Scripture by holding positions such as you laid out.. Coming from a background in UK where FF Bruce was 'revered' its refreshing to see that his views on 'women' did not fit in to usual Brethren teaching.. I have spent most of my life here in US among Evangelical Free Church, on staff and in other ways and the examples you quote in your article have been repeated in more ways than one unfortunately to support the;subjugation of Women. Thank you again for your wisdom and grace.
GMurray
I remember that Billy Graham once said of one of his daughters that she was the best preacher in the family. He would know and he has credibility in the Church.
Even in my own Church with all of its 'restrictions' regarding women over the millenia, there has been light enough for the Church to recognize three women as 'Doctors of the Church', and lately Pope Francis has added to that number. That title is not given lightly.
For me, there are three parts of sacred Scripture that especially stand out where a 'woman' spoke with authority:
The Magnificat in the Gospel of St. Luke 1:46-55 'And Mary said . . . '
The second one is so simply and briefly spoken, many fail to see its implication for the whole Church, this:
'His mother said to the servants,
"Whatever He says to you, do it." ' (from the Gospel of St. John 2:5)
and the third, another powerful example, this:
"5 The angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. 6 He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples:
‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to Him, clasped His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
(from the Gospel of St. Matthew 28)
This last example is an unimaginable honor. It is a special commision given to women to announce to the disciples the Good News now raised to the enth degree:
'HE IS RISEN'
It is said in the Church that these women, in fulfilling the command of Our Lord, became 'the Apostles to the Apostles' and this is celebrated also in the Eastern Church as well.
An Eastern Orthodox icon in celebration of Mary of Magdala announcing the Resurrection to the Disciples
https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/fmn7JVeuz7s966FZsgQs4A--/YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRkO2g9NjAwO3E9OTU7dz00NTI-/http://contemplativecottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mary-tell-the-disciple.jpg
Outstanding, Wade. Preach on!
How refreshing, how freeing. We have missed many a blessing, by silencing half the body of Christ.
Preach on!
Linda
Informative post, but wow. You can't just disagree with faithful brothers and sisters in Christ on this issue, you have to call them stupid?
When writing on subjects like this you really should commit to articulating the position of your opponent in a way they would fully agree with. If you do that, the people who you want to take you seriously might actually start taking you seriously.
Wade, THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU!!!
I would not nit-pick your grammar...only the missing "f" is crucial to a point you are making.
"where a young man committed suicide by cutting --> of <--- his right hand with a pocket knife and bleeding out."
:-)
I like fair treatment for all. I am convinced that God is no respecter of persons but freely bestows his gifts of grace and service upon all his children, regardless of gender.
We ought to speak out clearly , as you have done, against gender inequality, bias and domination, whether it be found in a male dominating, religious fundamentalism, or found in the resurgence of the Artemis feminism movement of today. Both of these selfish distortions are false, carnal and driven by 'wild beasts'. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander.
I would go further than saying God's call is gender neutral, and include Lesbians and Gays in the service of the church. Provided, of course, they remain celibate and chaste....just as all of us are called to flee fornication, adultery and other forms of sexual immorality. This is the position taken by the Church of England. Many missionaries live in beautiful, honorable and chaste companionships in their service for the Lord. Their absence would be a great loss to the Gospel mission.
So would you say that women meet the biblical qualifications for an elder? Do you believe women can serve as a pastor of a local church? Also would Emmanuel ever hire a woman as a pastor?
Wade,
Thank you! I hope more men wake up to the foolishness of their position on women.
I have a son-in-law who becomes unbelievably angry when I seek to enlighten him as you have written.
Anonymous, I went back and read where I said "Stupid," because as you, I would not like someone being called stupid. I obviously didn't communicate well - what I meant in what I wrote was "THAT'S stupid" - not the person - the idea. And, I stand by it, though I agree with your sentiments that even if my communication is well intended, a faulty wording may cause misunderstaning. Thanks for your comment. I will allow what I wrote to stand, but will take more consideration in the future.
Pege and Tamara - Thanks! (Tamara, I corrected the typo).
Gordon, I like your thoughts. The only thing I'm not sure of is the wording "gays and lesbians." It would be like using the wording "adulterers and fornicators." I understand your sentiments, and if someone is bent toward "same sex sexual attraction" but remains chaste - similar to someone like those who are bent toward opposite sex sexual attraction but remain chaste - I'm not sure I would identify the persons using those words. Just my thoughts.
Jeremy,
We already have women on staff who pastor - for we see the word pastor as a verb - disciple, instruct, shephered, etc... - not some position of authority over others. We don't have men or women in positions of authority over anyone.
The Baptist churches I've been in for over 80 years have gotten along fine without elders. BTW, our church has had women deacons since 1990 and the sky still hasn't fallen.
Wade, thank you for your response. I highly respect you and while I disagree with you on this topic I always appreciate your kindness and grace.
I did notice that you have women who "pastor", but I also noticed that they pastor: Children, Nursery, and Women. The church I pastor has women in similar roles so my follow up questions are: "Would Emmanuel have a woman on staff who would pastor specific areas that have men? Has Emmanuel ever had a woman preach a sermon during a worship service? Would Emmanuel ever have a woman preach a sermon during a worship service? Thanks, God Bless.
Wade,
Can this body of people be a cult?
The leader does not oppress people; he sets them free. He does not bind but makes them happy.
It may be the largest church in the world with 16,000 memberships.
It’s that ‘feel good religion’ of Universalism where everyone is going to heaven taught by Pastor Joel Osteen.
Jeremy,
Thanks for the question. Of course we would have a woman proclaim the gospel (kerusso "preach") with men present. Beth Moore does it all the time. :) Of course we would have a woman in staff who would pastor specific areas that have men - our children, nursery, pastoral care, and other ministries have men and women in ministry in those areas. We have had women speak of Christ during worship services in the past (i.e. teach, preach, or whatever the word one would use).
We look at gifts and calling, not gender and desire for control or authority over anyone.
Thanks, again! and the respect is mutual.
Someone mentioned Billy Graham saying his daughter was the best preacher in his family.
Does anyone remember when she was on the program at some large Baptist meeting and a lot of men turned their chairs backward as she spoke?
Great point Rex;
I remember moderating a session of the BGCO when Mr. Graham's daughter spoke. There were complaints everywhere. I also moderated a session of the BGCO when another woman was voted as "Second Vice-President" Some men in the audience, literally stood up and turned their chairs around so their backs would face the podium when it came time to vote for the woman.
Jeremy,
Because of this "culture" that evangelicals have created, our staff is predominantly male, however, we have key women on staff, and as of three years ago, exactly half the leadership in our church, including trustees and the Leadership Team, are female.
We are in much better shape than we've ever been, but still have a ways to go.
Many years ago my husband's sister declared she was gay. She was about 17 yrs. old at the time and I loved her very much and we had a good relationship. One day I asked her if she knew when or why she felt she was a homosexual. She didn't hesitate for a minute. She said she had seen the way women were treated and didn't want to be one. I understood completely. :(
I was Christian and asked if she might agree to go for some help where she might see women being leaders and treated with respect. Her mother said she could; she said ok and I made arrangements for her to go to a place called "New Life for Girls" in Texas founded by Cookie Rodriquez of the Cross and the Switchblade story.
It was a 2-3 yrs. program with emphasis on the Bible and after a year or so, she met another gay woman and they left and moved in together. It didn't last and somewhere along the way she developed schizophrenia and everything changed. Her mom died, I got divorced and moved to Florida and lost touch with her.
My ex-husband still calls me from NY every 2-3 weeks to chat and I ask about her often. It grieves me what happened to her but I wonder if we treated women better and afforded them more visible opportunities in our churches (those who are qualified of course), we might find more young women happier to be women as a result of observing strong role models as examples of their worth and potential. They should know that they are not expected to fit a particular mold others have designed for them but are free to use their gifts to achieve their goals in their chosen field.
May God forgive us for the way many treat women.
I have loved Greek mythology and tragedies/plays since I was young. Artemis and Athena are strong and wonderful characters in the plays.
I also understand Paul's point here about this one woman. At the same I empathize with this one woman coming from Artemis culture.
Fascinating to see the past and the progression of ideas and their conflicts touching us today and screwing the minds of people reading the bible literally without context.
To me this journey of discovery is very fascinating.
I am beginning to wonder if Artemis is not having her revenge on hapless Christians subverting half their body all the while claiming they are being faithful to their Lord. What a tragedy!
"Someone mentioned Billy Graham saying his daughter was the best preacher in his family.
Does anyone remember when she was on the program at some large Baptist meeting and a lot of men turned their chairs backward as she spoke?" - Rex Ray
Hi Mr. Ray,
Yes, I remember that story. Mrs. Lotz had been invited to speak at a convention center to a group of pastors. Most of the 800 men turned their backs on her. She covers the story in her book Wounded by God's People.
Blessings,
OutWest
Can anything be more insulting than to see 800 men turn their backs to you? How humiliating...
Hi VICTORIOUS,
In Anne's case, considering the evil of the teachings of patriarchy which have surfaced and considering how the doctrine of 'submission of women' was used against a female Hebrew professor at SWBTS,
I would think that these men have judged themselves, not Mrs. Lotz.
I have thought about it, that the reason the Disciples did not turn their backs on Mary of Magdala when she announced 'He Is Risen', was because when Our Lord commissioned Mary to go to them with this message, He also gave her the 'authority' to tell them in the form of an 'authority' they recognized as such.
It certainly is time to re-evaluate how women have been treated in the Church, and to do it in the light of how Our Lord treated women in sacred Scripture. My thanks to Wade for contributing to the light that is needed in order for this to happen.
I am always put out with people that point at our English translations and proclaim it to be "the plain word of God." I wonder if they have ever translated something from one language to another, let alone from one millennium to another. People that think that the simple English does a good job of conveying the original words are sadly mistaken. The more I study the richness of the original languages and the world of the ancients, the more excited I get about the Bible. It does make it hard for me to lovingly deal with those who do not study.
A couple things about the I Tim passage that gets me over and over is the idea of "Let the woman learn in silence." First, it is a commandment, not a suggestion. It is in the same tense as "go to the city" would be. It really should be written more along the lines of, "Woman!!! Settle down and learn!" The other thing is the fuss over learning in "silence." We know it doesn't mean to not speak, but to settle one's self down to be receptive to the message. I imagine it would be pretty hard to learn if women were too busy trying to show off their jewels or hair and look at the other women, passing judgement. (I find I have to be careful of that. I design and knit clothing, love to sew, enjoy my jewelry and still think that we need to dress up a bit for church. I often need to slap myself figuratively!) But if the women are told to learn this way, I have to ask - how were the men to learn? Was it ok for them to be noisy and unattentive? I doubt it. Men may simply have been more practiced at this, having had military experience, etc. How have people somehow have gotten this so messed up?
As for the "stupid, stupid, stupid," I often have to bite my tongue over that, too. It is easy to want to tell a man that he his stupid when he has just told me that I am either incapable of or not allowed to use my gifts because of something that happened beyond anyone's control at the moment of conception. I did not choose to be a woman, but so many Christians choose to stay uninformed.
Thanks so much for this great article!!
On reflection it is not half the body that is subverted but the entire body. When one pulls another down, the one pulling is also brought down (though they are blissfully/ignorantly unaware). I am afraid stubbornness and pride will keep this tragedy going on for a long time.
Psalm 68:11. "The Lord giveth the word: the women who publish it are a great host".
Great explanation on women in the Timothy chapter of the bible. The post speaks for itself. I have grown weary of others using the scripture of women not teaching authority over men or being silet to justify their own prejudices of women in leadership positions in the church. God did not single out women and put restrictions are them as many othe more conservative Christians believe but held both men and women the image bearers of God and work together as co-equals in Christ. Thanks again for great post. God Bless.
The image of a letter you post at the section entitled "Paul and Timothy's Presence in Ephesus in the Midst of the Artemis Cult" (both here and in your original blog post) looks to be written in Hebrew, not Greek.
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