No Contradiction here!

 

If only I could be half the pastor Lillie McCutcheon was. 

I have three beautiful daughters. They are unique in their skills and their chosen professions. BUT, each of THEM is extremely talented and I would greatly take exception if they were limited by MAN in what they were permitted to do. That would be extremely true if one of them were not allowed to teach biblical truth. Although it is not true of any of them, I would be greatly honored if they would consider being a PASTOR. They each have leadership strengths that would make them GREAT PASTORS. I am not trying to force them, but I also would not want them to have restrictions PREVENTING THIS PATH if they felt called to do so. 

I bring this up because of the passage I read today in my BIBLE STUDY. 

"Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them Let them listen quietly." (1 Timothy 2:11-12, NLT)

When you pull any text out of the overall context of scripture you are going to misinterpret the passage. My case-in-point is this passage. 

The church at Ephesus had a real problem with false teaching and the women in this church were very uneducated. They were not even permitted to study the TORAH. Paul is telling this church NOT TO ALLOW uneducated, immature believers from teaching. He is telling them to LEARN quietly and submissively. These women had been deceived just like EVE had been deceived in the garden. Paul is saying, look what happened then!

One of the reasons we know that this is a local prohibition and not for all times is that we find many other women TEACHING and LEADING in the Church. Priscilla was one of those (Acts 18:24-26, Romans 16:3-5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19). But Priscilla isn't the only one. Phoebe (Romans 16:1) was a deacon. Euodia/Syntyche were also teachers (Philippians 4:2) And if you go to the OLD TESTAMENT, Deborah was a prominent leader. We have plenty of examples outside this context where women took roles of leadership and led. 

We cannot limit the calling of women into ministry. And I guess the real proof is in the FRUIT. Lille McCutcheon is a perfect example of a FRUITFUL MINISTRY. While not ALL women are called to be pastors, many are, and I have several I listen to on a regular basis. I praise GOD for women leaders and teachers in the church. 

Heavenly Father, I praise you for the women leaders we have in our church. Help us to encourage them to take key roles leading guiding kids, women and men to the kingdom. Do not let them be hindered by the mis-interpretations of this passage. Build confidence in them that they will be able to spread your gospel message. Amen!

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