This is being discussed in a Baptist only section of the BB. It is here I would like to recommend a book on the topic: The Ordination of Women to the Priesthood, by Dr. Margaret E. Thrall (SCM Press, 1958).
Also, to consider the following to begin with:
The final chapter of Stendahl's study is called "Emancipation and Ordination." Here he points out that the question of any cultic role for women in the New Testament is never separated from the role of women in ordinary life, and this role —subordinate, of course —is seen as founded in the order of creation. It becomes extremely difficult then to assent to women's emancipation in civil life and to hold to subordination in the ecclesiastical area unless one makes the church the last bastion of the biblical view. Yet this too contains a contradiction, because it is in Christ, not in the world, that there is to be neither male nor female.
Stendahl writes, "If emancipation is right, then there is no valid 'biblical' reason not to ordain women. Ordination cannot be treated as a 'special' problem, since there is no indication that the New Testament sees it as such."
Stendahl is a professor at Harvard Divinity School, in the US of A.
Part of the argument is that Paul, in writing to Timothy, is not excluding women, but is speaking, in that century, about specific problems and against women in general. Why do we have female deacons in other New Testament books? Deacons preached and performed other mixed-gender duties, so much as this patriarchal time period would allow.
Some have been quite miotic in there subjective approach to understanding the scriptures, and refuse to consider the evolution of thought, ideas, circumstances and whether the actual words are timely or eternal.
Whilst somethings are relevant to the Fall of man in creation, there are also evidents freedoms under grace. Not all laws are eternal, but cultural gravitations are expected and do happen.
God bless the ladies,
Cheers,
Jim
Also, to consider the following to begin with:
The final chapter of Stendahl's study is called "Emancipation and Ordination." Here he points out that the question of any cultic role for women in the New Testament is never separated from the role of women in ordinary life, and this role —subordinate, of course —is seen as founded in the order of creation. It becomes extremely difficult then to assent to women's emancipation in civil life and to hold to subordination in the ecclesiastical area unless one makes the church the last bastion of the biblical view. Yet this too contains a contradiction, because it is in Christ, not in the world, that there is to be neither male nor female.
Stendahl writes, "If emancipation is right, then there is no valid 'biblical' reason not to ordain women. Ordination cannot be treated as a 'special' problem, since there is no indication that the New Testament sees it as such."
Stendahl is a professor at Harvard Divinity School, in the US of A.
Part of the argument is that Paul, in writing to Timothy, is not excluding women, but is speaking, in that century, about specific problems and against women in general. Why do we have female deacons in other New Testament books? Deacons preached and performed other mixed-gender duties, so much as this patriarchal time period would allow.
Some have been quite miotic in there subjective approach to understanding the scriptures, and refuse to consider the evolution of thought, ideas, circumstances and whether the actual words are timely or eternal.
Whilst somethings are relevant to the Fall of man in creation, there are also evidents freedoms under grace. Not all laws are eternal, but cultural gravitations are expected and do happen.
God bless the ladies,
Cheers,
Jim
M....." Yes, that old law is still on the books. It is really a noise bylaw.
