Calvin Synod Herald, 2005 (106. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-11-01 / 11-12. szám
loneliness streamed down her face, and a feeling of intense pain and of loss that we could not “fix” was thick in the air. But God is greater than us. God soothed and spoke to her heart in a way we could not, and we were privileged to be a part of that interaction. For a brief moment, we could be there for her.We could take the memories of her and the others back with us and pray for them, continuing to ask our Father for HIS wisdom in an overwhelming situation. Some of the group went with David, our seminarian student and translator, to some other villages and confirmed similar situations. It was overwhelming to realize the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the villagers. We saw evidence of God’s Love, Mercy and Grace as we felt their arms of embrace and their repeated offering of themselves. They gave willingly what they had, and loved with abandonment. Based on our group conversations, devotions, and prayer time spent together later, I think I can safely say the group left Romania united in our sense of calling to that area of the world. We had felt the presence of God, and were filled with an urgency to get others to join us in helping there. Personally, I have spent hours contemplating, praying and talking or writing to others about how we could practically be involved. My opinion is that for now the most efficient use of our time, energy and money in regards to the Emmaus House is to focus on spiritually “adopting” and mentoring the youth. There are no financial restraints stopping each of us from choosing a child to write to, and building a relationship with him or her through letters. They need spiritual leadership and encouragement. They need to see possibilities outside of their immediate region. We can offer that. Financially speaking, there are many needs. There are at least seven children that still need sponsorship. The cost is $30 a month. There is also an ongoing financial need, both for completion of the bakery, and things like clothing, shoes, food and basic necessities, especially since as of January 2006, they will be losing a major financial contributor. Based on the spiritual climate of the orphanage I encountered while there and from conversations with Eszter and some of the English-speaking young adults, I would confidently invest in them. Perhaps we can help them now by periodic collections and fundraisers, but leaving more involved contribution for the future. If you are interested in “adopting” a child, please contact us. Remember, this is not a financial obligation, simply a promise to write faithfully and encourage a specific child. I see the Emmaus House Orphanage as a beacon of light to their community. As the children grow spiritually and intellectually, they will have the opportunity to lead their community forward both economically and spiritually. This will occur most effectively as other Christians feed into the work that is being done there. We have the privilege of becoming a part of this by embracing a mentorship opportunity with these kids. If interested in either spiritually mentoring or financially sponsoring a child, please email Karoly and Eszrer Nagy at ecforum@ffeemail.hu, Dale Miedema at Miedemal@yahoo.com or Eileen De Jong at Eileen.DeJong@juno.com. Eileen De Jong South Holland, Illinois CALVIN SYNOD HERALD_____________________________ Silent Women and the Law of a Mother 2 Timothy 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. This may be the most debated passage in Scripture in the modem church. The place of women in the church and in particular female officers in the church have caused a lot of discussion in the church and in places divided the body of Christ. In other places some appeal may be made to the usage of the male gender in the passage as the normal way of presenting the issue with the mle applicable to both genders. For example, “Husband of one Wife” has been argued this way. Others appeal to the culture in which the Scriptures were written and declare it isn’t a hard and fast mle for the church today since culture has changed. It is true that in many places the Bible uses the male gender in ways that apply equally to both genders. In such places the context is easy to see and the proper application of the Scripture easy to attain. The appeal to culture is pure foolishness in that we are dealing with a divine word that will not change or pass away until the end of time. The only passage, which may be appealed to without apparent debate that prohibits women elders in the church, is before us. There is a cultural argument when we take this whole chapter into consideration as must be done to obtain the proper context. Paul tells women how to dress because it appears to be part of the nature of the gender to adom itself so as to attract attention and appear attractive. This would have been particularly true in the city where this was written where most were of a means to obtain these external means of adorning themselves. Paul admonishes the women to not do so but rather to wear a spirit of submission and godliness as was fitting to women professing godliness. We find the particular Greek word “hsucia ? hesuchia” used in this passge four times in the Bible. In the AV this is translated silent or silence three times and as quietness one time. In this passage we find two of the instances it is translated silence. This is not in context of the passage and the preferred English word here is quietness indicating a submissive attitude and way of life. The Bible does not contradict itself and unless we find the proper understanding of this passage and set it in its proper context we will create such a contradiction. A parallel passage is found in 1 Corinthians 14:34 ff — “ Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.” The Greek word here is sigaw ? sigao means to keep silence or hold one’s peace. In general then the words used for silence in regards to women in church describes a quiet condition both in thought and action. The attitude of a quiet reverence for God and for those appointed over her. Note that Paul begins this exhortation by telling everyone how they are to conduct themselves then the men in particular and finally the women. Elsewhere we see women are allowed a part in public prayer ____________________________________________________________________________U
