1 Timothy 2:11-12
"A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent."
I continue to remain frustrated over this passage. Especially in today's culture, much in me cringes at the implications and statements found here. However, I am reminded that God is right and good, and I must find what is right and good here. Quickly taking a look at the word "teach". There are those who suggested that once we had the cannon, we no longer needed to place restrictions on who could "teach" since we could always check with the cannon. However, it seems that the primary issue is not the act of teaching, but rather the people doing the teaching. Not only that, but even at the time that Paul spoke this to Timothy, the preachers and teachers were still using a text, primarily that being the Old Testament. As I take a look at the words used in this passage, the question really comes down to this...can we interpret this passage as one that is primarily cultural, or is it universal? Time will tell...
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4 comments:
Time will tell? hasn't 2000 years been long enough?
Seriously though, isn't it interesting that we continue to struggle with this issue?
an interesting article that you may find quite helpful can be found here:
http://soucatdavid.israelinet.org/otherstones/english/StatusRoleWomenv5.pdf
it's 35 pages so buckle up.
if that doesn't work, try this:
http://www.adotadonai.net/Role%20Status%20Women%201st%20Cent%20Mess%20Comm%20v5.pdf
same article, only from the original source this time.
Part of the problem for me is that I can't help but see an "all time" application of this passage lead to legalism: does this mean a woman can't teach period? or that she can't teach a man? when does a male become a man? Is it ok for a woman to teach (and have authority over) boys? Until what age?
Assuming that this is speaking of the gathered people of God, would this instruction apply to women in a mixed gender small group or does it only apply to Sunday mornings? Technically the small group is the church as much as the Sunday gathering is.
Again, none of this should keep us from holding up the truth but I want us to apply it consistently and not make up rules.
Well, I really like the idea of blevos but...
I'm missing the community interaction.
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