Calvin Synod Herald, 2005 (106. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-11-01 / 11-12. szám
12 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD and that they are told to teach their families. Likewise we find that the older women are told to teach the younger. Obviously then complete silence in church is not the intent of the apostles in these passages. What is clear is that Paul is setting up a natural order of things that have been so from the creation in that woman was created second from man almost as an appendage to man so to speak. The chronology of the creation isn’t as important here as the reason for woman’s creation to begin with. Because of the first sin this natural order was upset and is alluded to by God in the curse of the woman for her sin. We find this clarified a bit more with a very strange sounding verse where women are saved by childbearing. This too is an allusion to the fall and the curse whereby women finding themselves in this place of submission might feel inordinately guilty and unforgiven by God, thus the apostle points them to their original place in creation. It also speaks to those who refer then to women as the weaker or lesser of the species in that it takes extraordinary patience and strength to bear and properly care for children. This makes clear the issue is not about ability or can a woman do these things but of a deliberate subordination as such because this is what God has said. The best example of such voluntary subordination is found within the Trinity. In the Bible we see Jesus Christ the second person of the Trinity bow before the will of the Father with these words, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” There is no subordination of the person or substance of the Godhead, yet here we find subordination within the economy of the Godhead. So much so that the Reformed have always formulated the position of the God head this way, “The Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.” WCF II. III. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost:[38] the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; [3 9] the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.[40] 38. Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; see Eph. 2:18 39. John 1:14, 18; see Heb. 1:2-3; Col. 1:15 40. John 15:26; Gal. 4:6 The issue then is one that becomes very clear in verse 12, “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” The teaching here is in the sense of proclaiming the Word of God in the church preaching or teaching with authority. The authority given by God to those called by Him and ordained in the church for this purpose. Here we find the place where God excludes women from being elders in the church because elders are called to be apt to teach. The very name of the office invokes a sense of authority accompanying it. While Jesus Christ is the head of the church and its one authority, the elders in the church by the nature of their call and place in the church as the local overseers under Christ of His flock in this place have an authority God prohibits women from having. This place of authority is limited then to the preaching of the Word and not all places within the church. Women may and should take part in all parts of the corporate worship and activities of the church, even in prayer and other than from the pulpit can teach in the church. They are directed to teach all good things other than the Bible in the Corinthians passage. This leaves the practical question then can women teach Sunday school where menare present? While that would appear to be permitted in these passages by some the very nature of the qualifications of the elders for office would indicate that it is elders alone which by the Word of God must be men should be the only teachers in the church. Because the church has failed to hold this standard and particularly with children have delegated the task to women does not negate the Word of God. Practically in many churches there are not enough elders to fill this need and any qualified regardless of gender have been pushed into service. A need is being met, as it should be, for solid biblical teaching must be present in the church. However it is not the best and should be rectified as soon as practical. We find that God who has the prerogative to do so has at times raised up women to fill needs where no man was willing or present. Deborah is a good example of this and such should be to the shame of the men present. God created all things and in that creation there is a natural order of life in the flesh. This order should not be upset by the church, the body of Christ but rather exemplified to the whole world. Not of ability or value but of the will of God alone only men may be elders in His church. Likewise then we see this carried into the home where the man is to assume his proper place as head of the household. The church is the household of God and to be ruled accordingly. Jesus was obedient to God the Father, even to death on the cross. Dr. Chuck Baynard Clover EPC Clover, South Carolina JJ t ß.uiciLang Syne Should auldacquaintance 6e forgot, find never 6ro’t to mind,? Should auld acqaintance he forgot, Jdnd days ofauld land syne? dor auldhang syne, my dear, dor auld lang syne? We’ll take a cup o’hindness yet dor auld lang syne. Jdnd here’s a hand, my trusty friend, findgive a Stand of thine, We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, dor auld lang syne. ^________________________________________________P r
