On Whose Authority?
Heresy is clearly the opposite to what God has said,
That is, man’s word rather than God’s word being implemented,
The Scriptures corrupted, twisted — even misinterpretation,
Which misleads, even deludes, and receives God’s condemnation.
Would we dare ignore God’s wishes, do things differently,
Or do such via carelessness, perhaps even ignorantly?
And please man instead of God, put ourselves first, compromise,
And somewhere down the track our folly, perhaps fate, realise?
Is ordaining women as pastors — even elders — heresy?
Is such the opposite to what God has said biblically?
Did God say we could do such, did the apostles say so?
Is there a passage in Scripture that clearly such will show?
If there’s not a clear passage in Scripture that says we can,
Then we’re simply relying on the shaky words of man.
Would we dare buy into a humanistic philosophy,
And foolishly superimpose such un-biblically?
Going by Scripture, pastors and elders are one and the same,
Thus, once women are made elders, a pastor’s role some claim.
And fair enough too — in that context — but I’ve yet to see
Where Scripture says that women such officially can be.
Any evidence in favour of such, comes via words of men,
Not directly from God’s mouth, nor a Bible writer’s pen.
Often biblical texts are taken out of context to defend
A totally unacceptable pagan and Christian blend.
God is a God of order, He draws demarcation lines,
And via His Holy Word, roles for both men and women assigns.
There’re roles in Heaven too, even within the Trinity,
Where we see Christ submitting to the Father, willingly.
Therefore, why not roles on earth, ecclesiastically,
And within marriage, where men and women function differently?
Though differing in function, they’re equal in worth and being,
So why would Christians over such roles be disagreeing?
Satan’s behind anything that’s wrong, anything askew,
Which is why Christians can’t afford to Scripture misconstrue.
And why we should surrender to the will of God, not man,
For rebellion, alias self, is where man’s troubles began.
I fear a pagan priesthood has entered Christianity,
Something never before seen in this planet’s history.
Only in pagan religions was a female priest seen,
So why are women pastors now appearing on the scene?
Thus, has Christianity strayed from the straight and narrow?
Have certain Christians been pushing a personal barrow?
Has feminism and humanism falsely advised,
And the modern church such error foolishly authorised?
One might say, “Quite frankly, women pastors don’t bother me,”
But if they’re bothering God, not even one, should we see.
For it’s His will that matters, and it’s His will we’re to seek,
Hence why on behalf of women pastors I choose not to speak.
By Lance Landall
For a simplistic, yet deeper overview come summary of this issue, click here.
FOUR QUESTIONS, EACH WITH AN ANSWER
Does Galatians 3:28 show that the ecclesiastical role distinction between men and women is now invalid?
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28).
Answer: No. The phrase “male and female”
refers to human beings in their sexual differentiation, not in their
social roles as the words man and woman would convey. The context — any
person irrespective of race, social status or sex can be saved only by
faith, thus, all persons stand on an equal footing before God — in
other words, ‘spiritual equality.’
Does the statement made by the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 2:9 effectively make the ecclesiastical role distinction between men and women invalid now?
"But you [Christians] are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Answer:
No. Peter here, is simply referring to the fact that all Christians
enjoy freedom of access to God by virtue of Christ’s mediatorial work
in the heavenly sanctuary and therefore need no human mediator, no
human priest (Heb 8:1,2,5; 9:24; Rom 8:34).
When people become citizens of Christ’s kingdom [spiritual Israel]
they join a ‘Holy Nation’ whose task is to manifest the glory of their
master in the sight of men as priests in their individual relationship
to God, not as ordained priests representing the community.
Doesn't Ephesians 5:21 say that both the husband and wife are to submit to each other?
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:21).
Answer:
Ephesians 5:21is referring to Christian relationships in general. The
context is citing a general principle of conduct. Submission, humility
and subjection are essential characteristics of the believer. The point
— self must be suppressed.
Where as, Ephesians 5:22-33 is referring to creational functions ordained by God Himself. Different context!
What about head Coverings?
“But
I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the
husband is the head of his wife, and God is the head of Christ. Any man
who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head,
but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces
her head [Paul emphasizes the importance of respecting a custom
which in his day helped to maintain the creational role distinctions.
While woman can participate in the worship services they should do so
in ways that indicate submission to the divinely established structure.
Paul appeals not only to cultural but especially to theological
reasoning] — it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved [a highly visible sign of a woman’s shame resulting from her repudiation of her husbands authority]. For if a woman will not veil herself [misguided/rebellious emancipated Corinthian woman, that is],
then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman
to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil. For a
man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and
reflection of God; but woman is the reflection of man. Indeed, man was
not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for
the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man. For this reason a
woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the
angels [good angels present at public religious exercises who would
be offended at such a disregard of God’s word and insult to the creator
of whom they have such an exalted understanding of]” (1 Cor 11:3-10).
Every
Christian should be aware of the dangers of feminism and
the feminizing of the church. You might like to read my secular
poem: "Feminism".
