The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Women Elders

Amongst many issues I've been thinking about and one that is yet another issue that I think is probably unbiblical in my church is the issue of a woman being an elder and preaching up front on a Sunday morning. In the history of my church we have had 2 women elders. The current elder also will give the sermon once in a while on Sunday mornings and she frequently teaches Adult Sunday School classes.

About 2 years ago the elders (before the woman was in this position) did this very thorough review of the whole issue. One of the elders actually stepped down mostly because of this issue but still attends our church (he actually changed his mind from thinking woman elders are ok to the opposite). Anyways a couple of months ago, the answer to the question of why we have women elders by a new attender by my ex-senior pastor was this -- that there is biblical support for either side and that our church has just chosen to have women be elders. -- The issue that women were prophesying in the NT and that there was a woman judge in Isreal in the OT was also brought up as a strong defense for our churchs position. So the conclusion after all this research they did was that this is a "grey" area and that we are apparently free to have women in these positions and it's ok.

Well I haven't yet thoroughly read up on this whole issue for myself, but my feeling is and from what I know of Scripture that it may not be right for her to be in this position (especially since her husband is not in this position) and especially for her to be preaching on Sunday morning. I was wondering if you have any good articles or resources to point me to and what you have to think. I also have an the issue of my husband who is one of the Elders and supports the position of women elders. What can I give him to read?

The most compelling reason for not ordaining women is one of applying biblical authority. The Pastor/Elder has authority over his congregation in spiritual matters. The husband has authority over his home in spiritual matters. How does that play out with a woman Pastor/Elder and her husband. It would be impossible to apply biblical authority in that situation.

John

You are of course correct in stating what you did. However it is my experience that generally those who believe it is ok to have women elders, also believe that both women and men are co-head of the house-hold.
They get around Scripture passages that teach this by saying things like; "The context of Scripture passages that are traditionally used to support men as head of their homes is if considered carefully not men as the head, but mutual submission of husband and wife." This is quoted from memory, from a sermon I heard, by a pastor who I usually agree with, but in this case I couldn’t disagree with him more.

It really makes me wonder how a pastor who has such high view of the Word of God can be so conservative when it comes to most doctrines, yet so liberal when it comes to others.<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" />

Tom

Just out of curiosity, can I ask who that was...?

But anyways, I'm mystified how the elders at Janean's church got by 1 Timothy 2:12: "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet." (ESV) I have a really hard time seeing how one can classify that a "grey area" without completely throwing out the authority of Scripture.

I agree. There is little wiggle-room here. However, it's important to remember that a Biblically wise and experienced woman can be a GREAT help in ministry -- serving the younger women in the congregation.

Just like Paul said- the reference slips my mind.

Others have already answered this sufficiently, but if you would like to read a good book on where the formulation of women elders (a feminist agenda) actually began read: The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back, by Peter Jones. It is only around 100 pages or so, but gives good historical background where such things as feminism, homosexuality, nature worship, and political correctness have their foundational roots.

Is there anything online you all may know of on this subject? Especially the influence of Gnostic-like thought today. Something I found interesting in a World magazine article a month or two back was an assertion by Dan Brown, or one of the other two people mentioned in the article, that Gnosticism is strong today under the disguise of Christianity.

Here:
"Popular fiction, feminist scholarship, and even Christians' false piety have helped revive the ancient Gnostic heresy -- perfect timing for a new manual for worldview thinking" by Gene Edward Veith
Know nothings

Anyone know of anything more substantial? If this is too off topic then say so.

Ben

Ben,

You might want to visit Peter Jones' website here: Spirit Wars.

Also, he has several good articles online which you can read. Just scroll down the page and you will see them here: Library: Books and Articles.

In His Grace,

Thank you Pilgrim, I hope to be able to read some of the material from that site, although there is never enough time in the days or discipline in my character to read as much as I should and would like! Thanks again.