Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Women Pastors?

While postmodern culture said goodbye to Biblical values long ago, this does not determine how Christians are to live out their convictions regarding the Word of God. In light of the past 40+ years of feminism, equality between the sexes has slowly evolved from meaning “equal value” to “sameness”. Although the Bible sees men and women as equal, it does not see us as the same, assigning Biblical roles for both men and women. We see this in the Creation (Genesis 2:21-23, 1 Corinthians 11:7-9, 1 Timothy 2:13-14), the Fall (Genesis 3:16), and church order (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Apart from the differentiation of roles related to the preceding points, men and women are in fact equal as it relates to value and the process of being saved through Christ (Genesis 1:27-28, Galatians 3:26-28). While these Biblical principles seem confusing to those who do not believe the Word of God, no one is confused about the natural principle that only a woman gives birth or that only a man can be a father (unless you implant a secular worldview which has no understanding of gender whatsoever). The Biblical principles only become confusing as individuals approach the Bible with contempt for God and His Word, not believing the plain meaning of what is said, nor understanding through context that even with the removal of cultural issues (such as hair length, head coverings, apparel, etc.) God still demonstrates His plan of gender roles and a Biblical hierarchy in the home and Church. This is accomplished without the degradation of either sex, but rather the fulfillment of their God-given purposes as equally valuable before God.

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