Sermon Notes
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Paul would say: a female is not a proper extension of male leadership. That doesn’t make sense. That’s a contradiction of male leadership, not an extension of male leadership. And a woman teaching men, with authority, week in, week out, or every other week, or regularly in an adult Sunday school class, or whatever: a woman teaching men, with authority, under the elders, is not under the authority of the New Testament.
—John Piper
Thank God for strong, gifted women in the church. No, the problem in the church is not strong women, but rather weak men who feel threatened by strong women, and have tried various means, even by dubious exegesis to prohibit them from exercising their gifts and graces in the church.
—Ben Witherington III
I support women in all levels of leadership in the Church. I did not always have this “view” but after years of praying, wrestling, discussing, listening, fasting, and praying some more, I came to this conviction some time ago and while it has been questioned, pushed back, and tested, I remain convicted.
—Eugene Cho
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4 Reactions by the Church:
Traditionalist, Complementarian, Egalitarian, Progressive
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Start with Common Desire:
Complementarians and Egalitarians both have a deep desire to live faithfully to God’s word.
We should first recognize the common desire to be faithful to scripture and God’s calling on us.
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What are some reasons why some churches believe that women SHOULD NOT be allowed in all levels of leadership and church ministry?
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2 Primary Biblical Texts
1 Cor 14:33-35, 1 Tim 2:11-12
Context: Epistles are usually written in response to particular contextual issue. What is happening here? What is Paul responding to?
Universal Principle vs Specific Cultural Context
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What are some reasons why some churches believe that women SHOULD be allowed in all levels of leadership and church ministry?
Examples of Women Leaders in the Bible
- Priscilla (Teacher, ministry co-worker with Paul) Rom. 16:3
- Junia (Apostle) Rom 16:7
- Pheobe (Deacon , Benefactor) Rom. 16:1-2
- Deborah (Judge, Prophetess) Judges 4-5
This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
—Acts 2:16–18
Wives submit to your husbands, as to the Lord…
—Ephesians 5:22
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…
—Ephesians 5:25
…submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
—Ephesians 5:21
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
—Luke 4
