Hello, brothers and sisters. I wanted to get some opinion's on a topic that can be very controversial amongst believers: the role of a woman in evangelism, ministry, preaching, parenting, work, life, etc.
Before I start, PLEASE PLEASE... this is a touchy subject but I am not here to start arguments or fights. People may have different opinions and interpretations and that is okay. I just want feedback on the topic at hand!
I am a 21 year old woman who just recently graduated from college; I used to write for an online magazine called Whole Magazine for women and would write weekly devotionals - I have led Bible studies as well. I have been saved now for about 5 years now and have always had a passion to study and share God's Word in some way shape or form. I admire and look up to people such as Kari Jobe, Sadie Robertson, and other young women who are known to speak in church and "preach" if you want to call it.
I recently stumbled upon a few Scriptures that certainly got my attention. I will list them out and then continue:
1 Timothy 2:11-15 ~ "Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control."
Titus 2:4-5 ~ And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 ~ "As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church."
Ephesians 5:22-23 ~ "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."
Now, I can't emphasize how important Scripture is to me. I don't want to "cherry pick" and deny a passage even though it sits strangely with me. I accept this for what it is. And I have been praying deeply to the Lord about this subject. I have seen and witnessed so many women be complete warriors for God and they do it beautifully. I know there is a difference between pastoring a church and evangelizing. Proverbs 31 is one of my favorite parts of the Word and I think it tells elegantly of just how important a woman's role is in the eyes of God, but why these verses? I haven't researched the historical context of these at all.
I guess I am here to ask: what is your interpretation of these? Do they truly mean what they say? Does this mean it is wrong for me to lead Bible study, enter into the workforce, speak in a church, etc.? I am just REALLY interested in knowing what it is that people have to say about these Scriptures, how they think they relate to the role women play in ministry and life [in general]. What is a woman's purpose to you?
God bless, everyone! Feel free to leave a brief comment, long comment, or anything that pertains to this issue - you don't need to answer everything, you can just answer certain parts; its up to you!! Sorry for the book of an intro!!
