10-1-12. Questions For Christian Feminists
1. The Bible teaches the concept of male headship over the woman. How do you reconcile this with totally equal roles for men and women in the church?
2. How can the Holy Spirit tell us one thing consistently throughout the Bible, and now tell us something different?
3. Is the Bible’s teaching concerning women influenced by the local culture?
4. If not, then its commandments concerning them stand for all time. How can you ignore them?
5. If the Biblical commandments concerning women are culturally influenced, how can this be reconciled with inspiration? Is the Bible the ultimate source of truth for the Christian or not? If not, then what is?
6. If Biblical commands and examples of the place of women can somehow be overridden, e.g. by the claim that they are only culturally determined, then is it possible that e.g. fornication will become acceptable in the church, although the Bible condemns it?
7. If the only passages which could imply anything about women teaching are related to their doing so under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, how would you answer the objection that if the Holy Spirit gifts are now withdrawn, women have no right to teach men?
8. Would you agree that for women to speak and lead in the church requires one to believe the following:
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The Bible is not inspired by God in the sense that it is a once for all revelation; local circumstances and customs had an influence on the message found in that book
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That God is not male, and therefore is not a personal being
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Direct equality between God and Jesus; i.e. according to 1 Cor.11:3, the relationship between man and woman is a reflection of that between God and Jesus. If there is direct equality between men and women, then there must be between God and Jesus.
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That typology is not a vital element in Bible interpretation
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Present Holy Spirit guidance and possession are not necessarily related to the Bible, and can lead us to conclusions which are not explicitly supported in the Bible text
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The Genesis record does not have to be taken literally, nor does it exhibit principles concerning men and women which are true for all time.
Final Thoughts
We would respectfully suggest that for women to speak in the church requires belief in the above ideas, which are contrary to God’s word. True or false doctrine does not just exist at an abstract level; it is revealed in practice. Our relationship with God is the most important thing in our lives. Now is the time to get it right; now is the time to find His will for us in our lives. We hope that your study of this subject will have brought at least three things home to you:
There is much wrong thinking in mainstream Christianity concerning the place of women in the church
The wrong thinking in this area has been the result of major doctrinal error in other areas
There is a personal need for each of us to come to know the basic Bible doctrines, so that we will live our daily lives in accordance with God’s will.
As the woman was counted by God as part of the man, so the church will only be saved through being counted as “in Christ”. We become “in Christ” by water baptism and following his will. We should give ourselves no rest until we know for sure that we are “in Christ”.
