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From: armartin@attmail.att.com (Arlen R Martin)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Role of Women in Spiritual Leadership
Message-ID: <May.6.23.48.19.1991.7903@athos.rutgers.edu>
Date: 7 May 91 03:48:20 GMT
Article-I.D.: athos.May.6.23.48.19.1991.7903
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As a new subscriber to this group, I don't know if this topic has been
discussed recently or not.  But I am interested in hearing other's opinions
on the role of women in church leadership, and specifically whether God has
a "hierarchial system" that gives the responsibility of spiritual leadership
(in the church and the home) to men.

Let me ask some questions and then give a synopsis of my limited view (as best
as I understand the questions today).

	- Was Paul writing in 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (I do not permit a woman
	  to teach or to have authority over a man ...) in the context
	  that there was improprietary on the behalf of some women in
 	  church and Paul was attempting to stop the scandalous behaviour?
	  (If so why doesn't the scripture make the context clear and that
	  Paul's advice doesn't apply today?)

	- If women are to be submissive to their husbands (1 Peter 3:1-4)
	  and Ephesians 5:22) is it possible for a woman to pastor a church
	  of which her husband is a member?

	- Does Ephesians 5:22-24 mean that there is a hierachial order set by
	  God in which men are responsible for the spiritual leadership in
	  their families?

I recognize that there are many viewpoints on many hotly debated issues, so
let me state that none of this should hinder the primary purpose of a
Christian's life; to seek God's will in their life, and honor and glorify Him
in all that they do. 

I believe that men and women have equal access to God through Christ.  We have
equal access to God's plan of salvation.  We have equal access to God's grace.
But, I believe that God created men and women differently (I don't think
anyone will argue that ;')).  I don't view submissiveness as a weakness, rather
a great strength.  Men are required to be as servants to their wives (as Christ
was to the church) just as it is asked of wives.  However, I think men have
been given the responsiblity (where possible) of spiritual leadership in
the church and the home.  This in no way implies a dominance or provides men
with "power".  Both men and women have servant roles and must be perceptive to
their spouses will.


[In fact there's been a continuing discussion on this point.  --clh]