While not a popular view, I am convinced that Scripture teaches that women are not to speak in church. I've read many attempts of those saying that the words of Scripture on this subject don't really mean what they say but it was quite clear they were trying to make Scripture say what they wanted. Of course, one of the arguments used is that it was a cultural thing. But it seems to me that Paul goes to great effort to say this was a divine commandment and carries over from God's revelation from the very beginning.

However, I'm concerned about a possible inconsistency. What if someone were to back up a few chapters and ask me why our women don't wear head-coverings? Although this hasn't happened yet, I'm not sure how I could answer it. I don't have any modern commentaries, but it seems to me that all the old ones simply describe the ancient custom without making any tangible application.

One pastor told me that the main point was that women were to have some sign of submission. But when I asked what would that be, he talked about a meek and quiet spirit. Certainly they should have that as taught in other places, but that seems to me to spiritualize this text without warrant.

I can certainly understand the argument that it is cultural. Although Paul's appeals to creation and nature would seem to me to imply it isn't merely cultural. Nevertheless, my concern is whether we can take such a passage, say it is cultural, and then, in effect, ignore it?

What say you?