Yes, we are more easily deceived. It is that easy. Women have a strong tendency to value relationships and work on them; while men tend to be more goal-oriented. It is for this reason that a person can deceive a woman more easily than a man.
Can a woman CONTINUE to be more easily deceived after she is aware of being deceived once by a particular person? The answer is generally no, I think. When a relationship has been betrayed, we tend to be rather suspicious creatures -- although this can be quite individual.
It is in this context that we need to consider what happened in the Garden of Eden. If anyone takes the time to read Ezekiel 28, he or she will see a section, starting with verse 12, where, through Ezekiel, the Lord is addressing Satan himself via the King of Tyre. In this address the Lord states
You were the model of perfection,
full of WISDOM and perfect in bearty.
You were in Eden,
the garden of God;
...You were anointed as guardian cherub,
for so I ordained you."
I think it is safe to say that Eve both knew and trusted this guardian cherub. And thus she believed the lie he told her and 'thought for herself' rather than trusting the direction from God, whether it came from God Himself or through Adam. Adam must have been immediately suspicious, although I am not intending to add to Scripture here, but if he was NOT deceived, then the obvious conclusion is that he knew better. Some day maybe we will know the war that went on in Adam's mind and heart when he saw this beautiful wife he had been given fall into temptation. Whatever went on with him internally, he sinned volitionally and was not deceived. He knew he was disobeying God.
And today we have not changed much. Women can still be easily deceived in a relationship. On a sexual basis, this can be referred to as seduction. However in other areas, it is generally recognized as flat-out betrayal of trust.
So what about teaching and usurping authority? The clear meaning of Paul is that women should not be the authorities and teachers in church where men are concerned. This does not mean we cannot add to discussions and that there might not be something to be learned from a woman, but rather that the woman is not to take responsibility for the class or the congregation.
And Paul's reason is clear and simple -- we are more easily deceived. This generally takes place within relationships and has nothing to do with common sense at all, actually. But having a woman at the head of a church will polarize that church because the emphasis will be on relationships. That's how we were created. It's perfect for a family and a web of friendships, but horrid for a church.
Can a woman teach a Sunday School class about a subject in which she has expertise, such as history or science? Yes, I think so, as long as she is under the authority of an elder or the pastor himself for the time of the teaching (which should not be permanent). This usurps nothing and is not a matter of spiritual guidance or authority.
In short, we need to look at more Bible than just the verses in 2 Timothy. We also need to look at men and women in a straightforward way, without being afraid of being either chauvinistic (or sexist) or un-politically correct.
Can a woman CONTINUE to be more easily deceived after she is aware of being deceived once by a particular person? The answer is generally no, I think. When a relationship has been betrayed, we tend to be rather suspicious creatures -- although this can be quite individual.
It is in this context that we need to consider what happened in the Garden of Eden. If anyone takes the time to read Ezekiel 28, he or she will see a section, starting with verse 12, where, through Ezekiel, the Lord is addressing Satan himself via the King of Tyre. In this address the Lord states
You were the model of perfection,
full of WISDOM and perfect in bearty.
You were in Eden,
the garden of God;
...You were anointed as guardian cherub,
for so I ordained you."
I think it is safe to say that Eve both knew and trusted this guardian cherub. And thus she believed the lie he told her and 'thought for herself' rather than trusting the direction from God, whether it came from God Himself or through Adam. Adam must have been immediately suspicious, although I am not intending to add to Scripture here, but if he was NOT deceived, then the obvious conclusion is that he knew better. Some day maybe we will know the war that went on in Adam's mind and heart when he saw this beautiful wife he had been given fall into temptation. Whatever went on with him internally, he sinned volitionally and was not deceived. He knew he was disobeying God.
And today we have not changed much. Women can still be easily deceived in a relationship. On a sexual basis, this can be referred to as seduction. However in other areas, it is generally recognized as flat-out betrayal of trust.
So what about teaching and usurping authority? The clear meaning of Paul is that women should not be the authorities and teachers in church where men are concerned. This does not mean we cannot add to discussions and that there might not be something to be learned from a woman, but rather that the woman is not to take responsibility for the class or the congregation.
And Paul's reason is clear and simple -- we are more easily deceived. This generally takes place within relationships and has nothing to do with common sense at all, actually. But having a woman at the head of a church will polarize that church because the emphasis will be on relationships. That's how we were created. It's perfect for a family and a web of friendships, but horrid for a church.
Can a woman teach a Sunday School class about a subject in which she has expertise, such as history or science? Yes, I think so, as long as she is under the authority of an elder or the pastor himself for the time of the teaching (which should not be permanent). This usurps nothing and is not a matter of spiritual guidance or authority.
In short, we need to look at more Bible than just the verses in 2 Timothy. We also need to look at men and women in a straightforward way, without being afraid of being either chauvinistic (or sexist) or un-politically correct.
