Let The Women Shine (Part 2)

By: Rob Peralta

In speaking about how the feminist movement has transferred over , in some ways, to the church, Mr. Batchelor makes a point about what happens when men fail to lead. He says " I should hasten to say that the blame does not lie with just the liberal feminist movement.In fact, the brunt of the blame must fall on indifferent and even lazy men within the church. They are failing their roles as strong, loving, and servant-oriented leaders. As a result, women are naturally stepping into the vacuum.

Yet Isaiah 3:1-12 offers a sobering thought about this scenario "...And I will give children to be their princes (leaders) and babes shall rule over them...As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. It appears that when men fail to lead as they should, women and children fill the void as a negative consequence. This often comes with bad results, as was the case with Queen Jezebel, who usurped her husbands authority ( Kings 18,19,21)."

So it comes down to "order" and a natural order decreed by God's word. Before Paul addresses this important issue he first establishes "what" he wants to imply. It is God's order. (1 Cor 14:33) says " For God is not the author of disorder, but of peace, in ALL churches of the sacred ones." He does not say the the following very direct words to "bring down" the women rather to exalt God's order. (1 Cor 14:34) " Let your women keep silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak (some use "preach" here) , but they are commanded to be under obedience, as the law says."

I realize that those words are quite direct . But when we understand a cardinal rule of proper bible interpretation we cannot sidestep it's significance and truth (even in today's churches). The hermeneutical rule says " what a Bible interpreter must never do is foist upon a text some idea that is not found in the actual text itself. The role of the Bible interpreter is to let the words of the text speak, not ignore, sidestep, silence or twist the meaning of the text, nor read into the text something the author is not saying. Those who do this are doing so many times to further their theological or sociological agenda. Text is king, context it's chief minister, and the closer the chief minister (context) stands next to the king (text) the more significant is it's effect and influence."

But the final confirmation comes in (1 Cor. 14:37) " If any man think himself a prophet, or a spiritual person, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you ARE THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD." Paul, in effect tells us "hey everybody, I am not telling you this about the order and women on my own, but being in the spirit , I have been told this by God, and it's not a suggestion, it's a Commandment from HIM." How many of us Christians want to break a Commandment of God? Let those with wisdom do God's word and be blessed abundantly for it! ..... to be continued