Women Bloggers and Christian Authority
Blogging and scripture. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
A few days ago, a reader sent me an email about my blog. The message to me was that I should not be blogging about scripture or God’s word because I am a woman. I have chosen to discuss my answer as well here because there are others that may feel the same way. I will not in any way identify any content of the email or the person except to speak ab0ut women discussing scripture on the internet.
I previously blogged this subject (here) and I will blog it again and should I be asked about it, this post will be my answer.
Are women forbidden from discussing scripture? There is not a single instance in scripture where women are forbidden from speaking or discussing the Word of God. The scriptures that people will use to silence a woman from discussing in public the Word of God is:
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 1 Timothy 2:12 (ESV)
The word ‘authority’ means to “to govern, exercise dominion over one.” As a blogger, I have no authority over anyone. My “authority” is limited to how I wish to run my blog. It is an administrative authority only with respect to layout of my blog, topics I wish to blog, etc. I have no authority over anyone whether they are male or female. Authority is a lawful right and power to enforce obedience. A pastor will have this ‘authority’ over congregants. I have none as a blogger.
The Epistle from Paul written to Timothy in 1 Timothy is known as a pastoral letter and are instructions to pastors. Paul was giving Timothy pastoral instructions.
In fact, Priscilla gave instruction to a man, Apollo, in the ways of God. Priscilla along with her husband took Apollo aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.
26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:26 (ESV)
As a female blogger, I am simply sharing my bible studies and my views regarding the Word of God. I am sharing my Christian perspectives. I am not in a pastoral position as a blogger. I do not hold a pastoral position in my private life. I do not even lead bible studies.
There are some men that read these scriptures and make the mistake that women are to remain silent on matters of God in and out of the church and may speak of the Word of God to women only. They are incorrect. Priscilla spoke to a man and INSTRUCTED him in the way of God. Deborah a prophetess, was judging Israel (Judges 4:4).
Women have not been forbidden in speaking or even instructing men. Women are not to pastor a church. Priscilla had no authority over Apollo. Had he chosen to not heed her instructions, she had no authority to do anything about it. I have no authority over anyone that reads this blog. My authority here is limited to an administrative role on this blog. This blog is not a church. Most of the readers are unknown to me.
Christian men, for various reasons, are trying to silence women by incorrectly exegeting scripture. With a proper understanding of the Word of God, it is clear that women have a role in spreading the Good News to both men and women. The commandment to refrain from pastoring a church does not mean that women are to remain silent in all matters of God.
Unless my authority exceeds the administrative tasks I have in running this blog and extends to taking authority over people’s spiritual lives, I have not biblically violated my role as a woman.
I hope that women who may be confused or have men instructing them that they must remain silent in matters of God will read the scriptures in context and understand that God has not taken the position that some men take in silencing women in speaking on the ways of God. Women in the bible such as Priscilla or Deborah received no admonishment for the roles that they played that was instructional to men.
Here! Here! Well stated and exact to the Word. Anyone who opposes a woman’s involvement with dispensing the Word or in the service of teaching the Word in the correct fashion as prescribed by the Word, is in complete error. A woman’s place is not necessarily to be barefoot and pregnant and in the kitchen. Blogging does not come under the heading of spiritual authority. It is for information purposes and, yes, opinions. I, myself, have learned a great deal from this blog and I am a man who lives may life by my faith and the Word.
Thanks Dagiolio. I agree, blogging does not come under the heading of spiritual authority but is informational and opinions.
Speaking the truth in love is what you have been doing. Keep it up. I have not read anything from you that seek to dominate or usurp the authority of anyone be it male or female. You have been doing a wonderful job and perhaps this has intimidated a chauvinist. Nevertheless the person who made remarks against you may have done it out of concern too. Blogging is like sharing your diary. One can choose to ignore or read your open diary and thoughts. Opinions volunteered by readers remain open too. I am glad that you have chosen to blog about this issue openly. I am not woman and I have no issues with women blogging and sharing their thoughts and experiences about the Scriptures. So don’t be intimidated or discouraged. I do not think God will obliterate your expressions and thoughts shared across the Creation via the blog. Thank you for your fellowship via your blog.
The Lord will surely say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Thanks for the encouragement. Yes, you are correct, the person who sent me a contact may have had scriptural concerns about my blogging.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and the encouragement to continue blogging.
Excellent post, very well said.
It was the testimony of a Samaritan woman that brought many of her own countrymen to follow Christ (John 4:39), it was the witness of women who first testified of our Lord’s resurrection (Luke 24:10), and it was a woman who was the very first convert to Christianity on the European continent (Lydia, Acts 16:14-15). What if these women had “been silent” about what the Lord Jesus Christ had done in their lives?
You mentioned Priscilla, whom Paul also referred to as his “helper in Christ” (Romans 16:3). We also have Phebe, a deaconess in the Church at Cenchrea, into whose hand Paul personally entrusted the epistle to the Romans to be delivered (Romans 16:1). Women played a very prominent role in the ministry of our Lord and in the early Church, and they continue to do so today. True, women are not called to pastor a church, but then again, neither are most men. This in no way prohibits any believer, man or woman, from sharing the Gospel with any who will listen.
Don’t let anyone twist a Scripture out of context and tell you that you should not share the Word of God. Keep preaching the Word, sister!
You brought up some women in the bible that I did not even think about. You are correct, there are so many different women in the bible that played a prominent role. I do hope that those that feel otherwise about women bloggers would be open to considering what roles women played in the bible.
Speak your mind dear sister in the Lord. You have spoken from your heart.
Between your heart and your mind I see no conflict. Clear mind and strong heart will always be resisted by those of weak hearts and narrow minds. You need no justifications for being yourself. You have harmed no one nor was out to do damage to any Authority.
All that have come across have nurtured and encouraged faith and love in Christ.
Whoever that opposes you fail to see Truth and wish to just practise traditions made by men.
Your blogging is not anti-authority of any form as can be read, neither have you violated any sacred theological tenets.
Please God, not men.
Say the Truth, … shout the truth … write the truth. “Blog” is a new word, so “Blog” the Truth!
Challenge all lies and anything false be these from men or women or any Authority.
God will grant you the words of Grace and Truth to equip and to strengthen the ones who thirst and hunger for righteousness. Don’t let anyone gag you by false notions.
Peace be with you!
Hi, I think you nailed it
My blog is not anti-authority and I have not taken any authority over anyone. Thank you very much for your encouraging words.
Nothing Priscilla was doing was in any way contrary to Paul’s admonition in 1 Tim 2:11-14. Priscilla (who would have been in submission to her husband) was working as a team with her husband, privately. She wasn’t standing up in a public setting teaching a group of men. Apollos only knew the baptism of John. They filled in the blanks for him on that score.
This is correct. Priscilla is not doing anything contrary to Paul’s admonition. As a blogger, I do not see how I am either. I am not taking an authoritative position over anyone, whether man or woman.
Thanks for your comment.
So, you’re all for being silent and dominated in every other sense? Sounds like a pretty lousy existence to me.
What? In what way? I don’t lead a church. What other way do you think I am being dominated or silenced?
Tishrei,
I have had this argument many times. I think men who speak against women extrapolating on the Scripture are deeply mistaken and need to read the gospels and Acts more carefully.
We were in a church where the pastor would feign surprise if a woman, including my wife, had made a knowledgeable observation or Biblical reference and, frankly, I always found it ugly. I think he had some psychological issues which he allowed his interpretations to confirm.
While it is true that you e-mailer may have acted out of concern, we can’t really know that. And misguided concern isn’t really concern at all in my thinking, and decidely unhelpful. In the end, it merely feeds a stereotype of Christian men that we do not need.
We learn from each other, both men and women. I have learned from you for as long as I have read you.
In Christ,
Kent
Hi Kent,
That’s soooo annoying — Jennifer must have been poking you in the ribs as your pastor would make those ‘surprised’ looks.
On the serious side, those that hold to that view really have a misunderstanding what the scripture is talking about. They act as if women are completely forbidden from speaking about scripture. That’s not what God said.
Thanks — I also learn from you. In fact, I just did today on one of your comments
. It was about the mixed fabric. I never picked up on that — so a big THANKS!!!
Tishrei,
It didn’t happene in front of me with Jennifer but she would tell me about it. But I did see it during a Bible study and it was, to be kind, pathetic.
Well, we teach one another, don’t we?
In Christ,
Kent
Yes we do! I always think about “iron sharpens iron.” We are all part of one body but we all need the other parts of the body to function properly.
Hi..
This is nice post for christian men authority. Speaking the truth in love is what you have been doing. Keep it up. I have not read anything from you that seek to dominate or usurp the authority of anyone be it male or female. Thanking for sharing this post.
Hi Christian Men,
Thanks. And you are correct, I have no intention nor have I tried to take authority over anyone. I’m simply speaking what is on my heart and typing it out. I am neither a teacher nor a theologian — just someone that’s sharing.
Thanks for your kind comment.
Sharing is good, IF what you share is the truth. But if it is way far from the truth, then you’ll have a problem. The example that you gave, is far from the situation that you have right now. Priscilla is under the guidance of Paul, whereas you are not. Also, Priscilla has an Spirit of God, while you have not.
WHY IS IT THAT YOU DARE TO EVEN THINK IN COMPARING YOURSELF WITH THOSE WOMEN ? YOU ARE WAY FAR FROM THEM .
Why do you desire to be teacher of the law ? What you are doing right now, is like teaching. Even though you will not admit it. You are helping propagating lies and confusion.
My suggestion to you is, MAKE SURE THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO SHARE TO THE WORLD IS THE TRUTH , AND WILL STAND CROSS EXAMINATION.
Isn’t it nice that you encounter someone like me , correcting you ? And not like those who stop by commending you like; nice, good work, keep it up, etc., etc. who had no idea what they are talking about?
Understand the following verses :
Prove all things ..1 Thess. 5:21
Beloved, Believe not every spirit, but TRY THE SPIRITS whether they are of God : Because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
So, if it come to spreading the Good News, why don’t you just leave it to someone who is sent by God. You WERE NOT COMMISSIONED BY GOD, to spread the Good News.
I may be harsh in words, but not in knowledge. It is not my duty to please men, but to please God. I did not intend to please you, cause I’m not interested in what you have, but you, that is why I’m correcting you. Whether you believe it or not, I don’t give a damn, as long as I have fulfill my obligation to God.
Dove124,
Wow.
As to my “authority” to teach, I have stated that I am neither a teacher nor a theologian. I do not teach a bible study nor am I a pastor. I am a blogger. Even so, I am obeying scripture for scripture commands Christians to take the Gospel to the unbelieving world. Please see Matthew 28, Acts 8:4 (note that this is men and WOMEN) among many other scriptures.
Second, I do not compare myself to the women of the bible. I use their example as what is right or wrong. Paul did not stop Priscella from from doing what she did and therefore, that is an example to all women of all time.
As to you correcting me, you are not. I do not submit myself to to anyone’s authority just because they happen to show up on my blog. In fact, I test everything against the Word of God including any teaching from my pastor at my church.
According to the bible, ALL Christians are commanded to take the Good News to the world. All Christians are sent by God to share the Good News of repentance and salvation. You are incorrect in believing that only some are sent by God to share the Good News.
Just curious, what denomination or church do you attend?
FYI: Paul said; I permit NO woman TO TEACH… 1Tim.2:11 ; a simple commandment for a believing Christian, (if you really who you are) but how come you find it hard to follow? Remember that you always utter ” THY WILL BE DONE” in your prayer, how is it that it is always YOUR OWN WILL that always prevail ? Is it maybe because, you are not a Christian? and just pretending to be one ? just asking.
By the way, I’m just curios, where in the bible,chapter and verse can you find that ” All Christians are commanded to take the Good News to the world”?W H E R E ?( Please answer this question)
This is another weird doctrine of yours, or is it of your so called pastor?This is one of the reason why Paul never permitted Christian women TO TEACH. Have you not ever read this verse “That you may learn by us NOT TO GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN that none of you may be puffed up in favour of one against another”(1 Cor. 4:6).
Am I now incorrect in believing that only those who are sent by God can spread the Good News to the world?
As to the Church where I attend, it is not yet time for me to reveal it to you.
But time will come, when you are willing to know the truth, and if God will open your eyes, then maybe, just maybe ,If God permit, I will show you the old way , to worship God The Father, and of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If you will not answer the ONE question that I asked of you, I will not answer the questions you pose to me. You have come to this blog ranting and raving, which I have allowed and I’ve answered your questions. This conversation is over unless you do as you would have me do and that is answer questions.
Dove124,
You seem a little hung up on the “Do not teach” thing, so maybe I can help you out a little with this. (By the way, I am a man and I am called and commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach His Gospel, and am also an ordained minister according to the laws of the land.)
First, I will do you the courtesy of answering your last question about where in the Bible it states that all Christians are commissioned to share the Good News to the world. Aside from parallel passages found in Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, John 17:18 and 20:21, and Acts 1:8; we find the following words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 24:47:
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Now, before you are too quick to assert that this commission was given exclusively to the 11 remaining disciples, consider what verse 33 says about who specifically was present:
“And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, AND THEM THAT WERE WITH THEM,” (emphasis added)
So, we see that there were more than just the 11 disciples present at this meeting. Who was among them? Well, Acts 1:14 tells us who was with the disciples as they awaited the Day of Pentecost:
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, WITH THE WOMEN, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (emphasis added)
I guess those women present weren’t familiar with your interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:12. I don’t suppose that the Samaritan woman who went off running her mouth to the townsfolk where she lived was aware of your position either (John 4:29, 39, 42). I wonder why the Lord Jesus didn’t let her in on your marvelous insight and tell her to pipe it down? I guess Phebe also missed your memo because she actually served as a deaconess at the Church in Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1); kind of hard to do if you are walking around with your mouth shut all day, is it not?
And what about those poor old women in Titus’ church? If you had only been there to warn them to quit teaching the younger women you could have saved them from the “error” that the Apostle Paul was encouraging them to engage in (Titus 2:3-4)!
You have yet to answer any of my questions, or Tishrei’s, so I don’t really imagine that you will bother to give a coherent response to this. I just think that you might want to learn a little more about what the Bible says before you start parading your ignorance of Scripture around and trying to shut down those who are sharing the Word of God. Whose side are you on, anyway? Do you honestly believe that it is God’s will to silence ANYONE who is witnessing to the lost? Search your own heart, partner, before you start making accusations.
You wrote: “As to the Church where I attend, it is not yet time for me to reveal it to you.”
What type of nonsense is this? I don’t know who you think you are, but if you truly represented the Lord Jesus Christ, you would not operate in darkness and deceit. Time is short, sir, repent and turn to the Lord and stop working against those who belong to Him.
In Christ,
Loren
Loren,
Re:” I am called and commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach His Gospel”.
and then you base your “supposed calling” in Luke 24:47.
Did you understand Luke24:47 ? And I perceive that you did not. Cause if you did, you think twice first before you use it. So, for the benefits to those who will accidentally happen to browse to this post, I will explain it to you , so you’ll never dare used this verse again for deceiving people.
FYI:
Then opened he their understanding, that they MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURE,
and said unto them, “THUS IT IS WRITTEN, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day :
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:45-47)
This is a prophetic verse which Our Lord Jesus Christ cited.
Question : Was these prophesy fulfilled ?
Answer : Yes !
read Matthew 28:19-20 : ” Go ye therefore, and T E A C H all nations, B A P T I Z I N G them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. T E A C H I N G them to O B S E R V E ALL THINGS whatsoever I have commanded you”.
That is why we have now a BIBLE, where all teachings, commandments, doctrines are written by the Apostles. So every time you will read the bible, you will say, according to Matthew, according to Mark, according to Luke, according to John, according to Paul, according to Peter, etc., etc. And they are already complete, and we don”t need additional information regarding those things.
And take note of this : In my search for knowledge, I have NEVER heard or had read a Gospel according to LOREN, or whatever your name is. So the question now is: WHAT IS THE NEED FOR YOU. You are just showing your ignorance to the world .
Understand these verses:
If any man will do HIS will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, ……And NO UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is in him (John 7:17-18)
So, we are now very sure that you are not commissioned by God to preach. You have so many mistakes in your “so called preaching”.
This is how God called:
1. Thus says the Lord: S T A N D by the roads, and L O O K, and A S K for the ancient paths, WHERE the GOOD WAY is, and WALK in it, and find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16)
2. By the Gospel. (When they say that, it doesn’t mean that you will preach or spread the Gospel. What God want you to do is join it)
read: That which WE have seen and heard declare WE unto you, that ye may have fellowship WITH US : and truly OUR FELLOWSHIP is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.(1 John 1:3)
Question : where ? where are you going to join ?
Answer: To The Church of the living God, The Pillar and Ground of the truth(1 Timothy3:15) This is where God call his people. And to any churches which man had established or will establish.
Dove,
You wrote: “That is why we have now a BIBLE, where all teachings, commandments, doctrines are written by the Apostles. So every time you will read the bible, you will say, according to Matthew, according to Mark, according to Luke, according to John, according to Paul, according to Peter, etc., etc. And they are already complete, and we don”t need additional information regarding those things.”
The Bible says: “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, THIRDLY TEACHERS, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Cor. 12:28 emphasis added)
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15)
It seems that you are once again in disagreement with the Apostle Paul. I think you are far more interested in making baseless attacks and spewing vitriol than having a reasonable discussion. You still have yet to address a single rebuttal that has been put to you on this forum and yet you are accusing others of appealing to “stupid alibis” for failing to answer YOU (by the way, I did answer your question to Tishrei)? Everything I have shown you is directly from the Word of God and you have done nothing but attempt to change the focus. Your dispute seem to be with God and His Word, not with us.
Tishrei,
You just make up a stupid alibi.
Of course you will not answer it, because you cannot find any verse in the bible that will justify or support your action.
Loren,
Just a correction. A Typographical error. It should be written ” And N O T to any churches which man had established or will establish”.
Thanks
Dove,
Your post is quite mature. I’m assuming, of course, that you nine or 10 years old and have been held back at least one grade for developmental reasons. I’;m sure there are many sites, particularly ‘discussion’ groups, where you wouldn’t stand out among other tiny people, but you are very much out of place here. All you could hope to accomplish at this blog is to make yourself look foolish, which you have done prolifically.
Good luck on your search.
Loren,
Here you are again, citing another verse that you don’t fully understand. True to what Paul had written, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”. This really prove that you are NOT SENT BY GOD. How long will you able to understand that? How long will you harden your heart? And do not boast that you are called to preach , cause you are not. The verses that you cited will prove that YOU ARE NOT SENT by God. Period !
Understand these verse carefully:
“For NOT he THAT COMMENDETH himself is approved,but WHOM the Lord commendeth”(2Cor.10:18)
Now, back to the verse you cited:
Understand this very carefully:
“And God S E T (it is in the past tense, it is NOT in Present or future progressive form) some in the church…” It’s already been done, 2000 years ago.
Question: To whose Church did God SET the Apostles, prophets, etc., etc.Is it in the Church of Roman Catholic, the Protestant Churches like Baptist,7th day Adventist, etc.
Answer:NO ! God SET it in THE CHURCH OF GOD .
So in our present time, since we already had the bible, we don’t need another Pastors or preachers or whatever you want to call yourself. What we need is a ” READER” (Rev. 1:3 ) sent by God. A “READER” guided by Holy Spirit of God, and who can and able to read a ” sealed book”(Daniel 12:4). And that “READER” have already existed and have expounded the word of God to so many people in the world since 1983. I’m not that ” Reader”. I’m just one of those who listen and follow the Teaching of Christ Jesus which he expounded.
So , THINK ABOUT IT….if you are really spiritually discern person.
Dove124,
If you do not start addressing people in a Christ-like manner, I will start deleting your comments. If you wish to engage in conversation with folks, please be considerate and address why you believe as you do as opposed to coming here and telling people they are wrong. Everyone here has used scripture to support what they believe and you have come here ranting and raving telling people they are wrong. This has gone on long enough.
Thank you.
Tishrei,
What Christ mannner way of speaking you want, will I call people hypocrites, children of the devil, Vipers? Is that how you want me to call people?
Just asking.
Dove124,
Do you really need me to explain to you what “Christ-like” means??? I would be happy to do so if you are unsure what that means or what it entails.
In any event, if you are not willing to engage in conversation but instead, are desiring to come here and tell people that they are wrong by ranting and raving, then you will need to find another blog to do so. If you want to engage in conversation with people, you are welcome to stay and talk in a civilized manner.
I’m serious, next comment that is uncivilized will be deleted.