The Role Of Women In The Church

Essay, Research Paper

The Role of Women in the Church

With the advent of the feminist movement, the role of women in all parts of

society has come under increasing scrutiny. One area of recent controversy is

the role of women in the Christian Church. Some churches whose traditions and

practices are less rigidly tied to Biblical doctrines have begun placing women

in leadership positions such as pastor or teacher. Other churches which

interpret the Bible more literally have been slow to adopt such changes. Much of

the confusion is based on attempts to interpret scriptures pertaining to women.

In this essay, we will use the Bible to understand the role of women in the

church of the first century and apply that understanding to the church of the

twentieth century.

Many people would dispute the Bible’s relevance to contemporary thought in

general, and in particular to the role of women in worship. If the Bible were

not written under divine inspiration, a person or practice is not bound by its

teachings. He or she can therefor pick and choose whatever corresponds to

his/her point of view. However, if the Bible is of divine inspiration, then a

cautious consideration of passages relevant to a particular issue must be

undertaken. Traditions and customs that have arisen after the Bible was written

may thus be carefully scrutinized. Such practices may or may not prove sound

after comparison with scripture.

Before we discuss specific issues concerning women in worship, we should

consider principles derived from the relationship of Adam and Eve as described

in Genesis chapter one. The Apostle Paul frequently uses this passage as a

guideline when discussing women and women’s issues. Genesis 1 verse 27 states:

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male

and female he created them.” Most Commentators agree that man and woman are both

equally a reflection of God’s image; the word “man” here is used as a synonym

for humanity. Adam and Eve were also given joint dominion over creation. But the

fact that Adam was created before Eve has significance to Paul and other Old

Testament scholars; it signifies role distinction between the two sexes. The

role of the man is leadership, while the role of woman is as a source of

strength and support. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul states: “For the

husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. . .” (Eph.

5:23) This is an important analogy. If a person wants to understand the

Christian authority of a man over his wife, he must consider how Christ

demonstrated his leadership as head over the Church. Primarily, he gave his life

for his church, not using force or coercion for her submission. When considering

mens and woman’s ministry in the church, it is important to keep in mind this

role distinction.

Lets examine the public ministry of women in the Church. Two major passages give

specific instructions regarding women during worship in the letters of the

Apostle Paul. These two passages are used frequently when denying women a public

role in church life. The first is in I Corinthians chapter 14 verses 33 – 35,

this passage commands women to be silent during worship service. Similarly but

with more details, I Timothy 2 verses 8 – 15 not only contains a command to be

silent but also instruction on authority along with a reference to the fall of

Adam and Eve for further explanation. Here is the passage in its entirety using

the NIV (New International Version) Bible translation:

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or

disputing. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not

with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds,

appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A women should learn in

quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have

authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became

a sinner. But women will be kept safe through childbirth, if they continue in

faith, love and holiness with propriety.

A woman raised in the U.S. in this day and age, reading the letter for the first

time, may be quite taken aback by its apparent chauvinism. However, there are

some specific historical and cultural references that must be taken into account

when considering the meaning and intent of this passage. First of all, this was

a letter written by Paul to a young preacher named Timothy. Timothy was

presumably preaching at the church in the city of Ephesus. Paul starts out the

letter by telling him to stay in Ephesus and correct false teachers who were

creating a disruption in the church. Various commentators have tried to re-

create some of the heresies of these f

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