What is the Scriptural Godly woman? by: Christopher L. Eakin
In today’s society we as a nation have turned from the Word of God and tried to appease our own wants and cares. There are many in “Christendom” today that have wavered and started commissioning women pastor and preachers. There are almost 4,000 licensed and ordained women in the Assemblies of God. “Although the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution in 1984 saying Scripture ‘excludes women from pastoral leadership,’ a swelling number of women are being ordained to the ministry. There are now about 900 Southern Baptist women clergy, compared to 75 in 1978” (Plains Baptist Challenger, Sept. 1993). At least 100 of these are pastors or associate pastors, while more than 200 are chaplains. In a September 1993 meeting in the SBC Executive Committee, a measure to expel congregations for ordaining women was rejected unanimously.
The United Methodist Church has ordained women since 1956 and today has 4,743 women “clergy.” The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has 2,419 female leaders. In 1979 the United Presbyterian Church, forerunner of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., adopted a resolution REQUIRING the congregations to elect women elders. This politically correct denomination also voted to ban the ordination of any man who opposed women clergy and gave such men 10 years to change their minds or get out (EP News Service, June 21, 1980). So much for the supposed broadminded attitude of Modernists. The United Church of Christ has 1,803 female leaders.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has 1,358 ordained women. As of 1992, 15 of the 30 independent Anglican communions around the world had approved ordination of women priest.
The Episcopal Church in the United States, which approved women’s ordination in 1976, has 1,070.
The Episcopalians ordained the first Anglican female bishop in 1989. Though the ‘mother church” in England has not yet ordained women priests, the Church of England General Synod endorsed the concept of female priests in 1989 and they are moving rapidly toward finalization of the practice. In 1991 Queen Elizabeth showed her approval of this by appointing a woman as one of her royal chaplains in Scotland. The Church of Scotland approved the ordination of women in 1968 and now has 100 female ministers.
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, though more conservative than other Lutheran bodies, is beginning to allow women to preach in regular worship services. A survey showed that about 1,000 LCMS clergy-men maintained that the Bible is not opposed to the ordination of women (Christian News, Feb. 13, 1989). “Leaders of Youth With a Mission (YWAM) appointed its first female national director in March to oversee a 200 member staff in Switzerland. At a conference last year, YWAM founder Loren Cunningham spoke out strongly against what he called ‘cultural bias’ against women. He also warned that God’s blessing might be removed if YWAM did not commission female leaders.” (Charisma, July 1993). “Women now compromise at least a third of the student population at the leading interdenominational divinity schools; at Yale and Harvard, they’re more than half” (Ibid.). “U.S. women ordained to full-time ministry in 1986 increased to 20,730 from 10,470 in 1977, and represented 7.9% of all U.S. clergy, according to recent study by the National Council of Churches. … The survey showed that 84 of 166 denominations ordain women to full ministry… (National & International Religion Report, March 13, 1989). David W. Cloud, Encyclopedia of the Bible and Christianity In this nation’s rebellion against God and against His ordained order of things, women have strove to be “equal” to men in all things; play in men’s sports, fight in men’s wars, work in men’s jobs, preach behind men’s pulpits, etc. This spirit of individualism and independence is most dangerous to our society as a whole. Daniel Webster (1782-1852) , who was one of our nations greatest orators and as well as a diplomat and served as a U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State under three different Presidents, said, “If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity. Noah Webster (1758-1843) original author of Webster’s Dictionary and “the School master of the Nation.” said, “Education is useless without the Bible. The Bible was America’s basic text book in all fields. God’s Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct.” We are to live our lives by the Word of God or we as a society shall fall with no blessing from God. No nation in history has stood without the Lord’s backing behind it. If we reject the Word of God we shall face the consequences. Let us first take a look at Scripture and answer a few questions.
So what does the scripture teach about women in the ministry and preaching to men? “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. ” 1 Timothy 2:11-14 The Bible teaches that women are not to be placed in a position over the man. It is not the order He designed or wanted. The man is to have authority over the woman. Paul used the Old Testament of Genesis to validate this claim. The woman was not intended to be put in the position of authority. Paul says, “Adam was first formed, then Eve.” The man before the woman. He also says, “Adam was not deceived, but the woman.” Satan came to Eve and placed her in a decision making position which God had never intended for her to be in. Adam was not deceived, he sinned, but was not deceived. “Paul referred to human nature to support his teaching regarding women, also. The woman has a different makeup than man. She was designed for a different role in life — that of a wife and mother. Her emotional, psychological, and rational makeup are geared perfectly toward this, but she was not designed for leadership. It is no coincidence that women have been responsible for starting many of the false Christian movements and have played key roles in spirits, new age, mind science, cults, and such. Human nature has not changed and neither has God’s restrictions regarding women preachers.” David W. Cloud, Encyclopedia of the Bible and Christianity God ordained it that way as we can see from the next verse. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also smith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 14:33-37 If you notice the end of verse 37 it says these are the commandments of the Lord. God commands women to keep silent in the church, when used in coordination with 1 Timothy 2 they are not to teach at all in the church. The man is to be in authority over the church. Some may say this was only directed at the Corinthian church and not to us, but it says these are His commandments. In his introduction to this epistle the Apostle tells us plainly to whom he is speaking: “Unto the church of God which is at Cornish, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:” 1 Corinthians 1:2 So who is it that God says can be a preacher or a minister? “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:2-7 When Paul was writing to Timothy he gave the very same instruction concerning women, and this epistle was written to teach the proper order of the churches in general. “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 The things contained in 1 Timothy are general instructions about churches order to be obeyed by all churches in every century; and it is in this book, the book which contains standards for church leaders, that God has forbidden women from taking authority over or teaching men.
So if a woman can’t be in the ministry what can she do for the Lord? She must not be able to do anything. WRONG!! “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18,20 “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2:3-5 “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” 1 Timothy 5:14 The woman was given to man by the grace of God for a wife and a help meet. Praise the Lord and thank God the He has given women to the world. She compliments the man perfectly emotionally, psychologically, and rationally. The shortcomings each sex has in filled and completed with the other. She is to love and help her husband in raising the children and in all things in marriage. So what is the wife’s role in the marriage? “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5:22-24 “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.” I Peter 3:1-6 Now I know that there are some folks out there that would call me a “male chauvinistic pig”, but I have two reason why you should finish this article. One, the best is yet to come. Two, Stay humble to the Word of God, if you call yourself a Christian. By callin’ me a names and sayin’ that because I say these things I seek to enslave women is wrong. Before you judge me, how about lookin’ at your own eye and finding’ out if you have some things to work on. I have stated only scripture time and time again. One cannot deny scripture. You either believe the Word of God are you have not foundation for faith. Now let me continue. Although, the Bible teaches that the woman is to be under subjection to her husband the bible also gives guidelines to the man. The Bible does not make a woman a slave in a marriage or less of a person than the man. In lifts her up and glorifies and edifies her.
Lets look at scripture. “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Ephesians 5:21-33 If you notice there are only three verses talking’ about how wives should treat their husbands, but there are twice as many tellin’ how the man is to treat his wife. A husband should be willing’ to lay down his life for his wife just as Christ laid his down for the church. A husband should hold her in his mind as spotless, without wrinkle, holy, without blemish. He should love his wife just as he does his own life. He should nourish her and cherish her. When a man and a woman are joined together in marriage, they are no longer two people. They are “one flesh.”
God has not out weighed the scales in man’s favor. He has put the woman on a pedestal. The scripture also says, “Submit yourselves one to the other.” In other words, heed her cautions and cherish her input. Allow me to use and example that I would do if I were married. I am enlisted in the Air Force and I am very close to my re-enlistment time. I want to re-enlist, but if I were married and my wife said to me, “Honey, I don’t think/want you to re-enlist.” Then I would be faced with a decision. Do what I want to do or what my wife asks, not demands, of me. I tell you now that I would honor my wife’s wishes unless, I felt that it would be in the best interests of the family and I felt the Lord lead me to re-enlisting after we prayed about. I would talk with her and cherish her opinion. She is a help meet. She helps me in the cause of Christ. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7 Honour your wife, love your wife, as the weaker vessel. As she is the weaker vessel. Women’s mental, emotional, and psychological makeup isn’t built or made to handle conflict. You are the Battleship and she is the Luxury Liner. You protect her from the storm. Your protect her from the enemy. She is under the umbrella of your authority and that is no small task and is not to be taken lightly. While the final authority always goes to the man and he has final say there is still a mutual relationship. Lets look at 1 Corinthians 7. “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 I believe this scripture can be applied to the physical and emotional relationship between a husband and a wife. It is unscriptural and wrong for a Christian couple to defraud their spouse of a physical relationship or to be “cut off” as the world would put it. It also can, though, be applied the emotional relationship between a husband and a wife. Let us take from the wisdom of Solomon as pertaining to a wife. “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.” Proverbs 5:18 “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” Proverbs 18:22 “House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.” Proverbs 19:14 “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:” Proverbs 12:4 “A gracious woman retaineth honour:” Proverbs 11:16 “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.” Proverbs 11:22
God wants to use women in special ways to HIS glory. Their skills are used to provide for His work – Exodus 35:25 Their compassion and provision ministers to the poor – Proverbs 31:20 Their small sacrifices are greatly esteemed by God – Luke 21:2-4 Their kindness teaches respect – Proverbs 11:16 Their noble character is an honor to a husband – Proverbs 12:4 Their wisdom builds a strong home – Proverbs 14:1 Their modesty and decency bring honor to God – 1 Timothy 2:9-10 Their example of self-control and ministry of discipleship produces godliness in younger women – Titus 2:3-5 Their submission, purity, and reverence wins an unbelieving husband – 1 Peter 3:1-2 And finally we will end with the King Solomon’s description of what is commonly called “The Ideal Wife”: 10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 NOTE : In the beginning God made Man then Women.