The Role of a Christian Woman

[Lioness]

We hear all the time how people believe women should not be pastors or spread God's word to men. Do you agree with that? Are women abdicated from spreading the Gospel to all men and are only required to spread it to some? Are you of the opinion that they should only talk about Jesus to women and children?  Should women have things like radio shows that spread the Gospel where men might hear it?

Basically... How would you define the role of Christian women and what do you think they supposed to do and not supposed to do? What do you think?

[Lioness]

A cold wind blows across a vast and deserted plain as a lone wolf howls faintly in the distance.  Hellooooo...Anybody out there? 

[Soldier4Christ]

The lone wolf looks longingly at the warm house and badly wants to come in from the cold. 




When it comes to the role of men and women I think there is a fine line on this subject. As I have posted elsewhere just recently on here God purposefully placed an order to the church and to families. As with all things that God does it is with a purpose. This order that is given is not because one is greater than the other but rather to provide a structure that prevents confusion and chaos. This is the same in both the church, the body of Christ, as it is in a family. This order has been with us since the beginning. Eve was created as a helpmate to Adam. Not a slave but a helpmate. They both had an objective and a place in this objective. This objective is the same objective not a different one. All too often today we see women and men competing against each other rather than working together. This is because it has become an objective for both to attempt to lead and to go for their own individual, separate objectives. It has placed contention between them instead of an organized unity. If one is in the ultimate position of authority it puts a control on this, provides for order and a unity in purpose.

So no, I do not think that a woman should be in authority over a man. The Bible is quite clear about this. A woman can however speak of the gospel to a man without being in authority over a man. We see Paul using women in just such an aspect.

[David_james]

you have to admit then that women aren't equal.

[Soldier4Christ]

you have to admit then that women aren't equal.

Not at all. They have an equal part, it is that their part is different. An excellent example of this is given in the Bible in regards to the body of Christ. Not all can be the head. Some are hands, some are feet. Without the head the hands and feet can do nothing. Likewise the head without the feet and hands is incomplete.

Let's take the word help meet in Gen 2:18. The Hebrew words for this is ‛êzer neged. These words mean aid for help and a counterpart for meet. Counterpart means a thing that fits another perfectly, something that completes. This is telling us that the man is not complete without the woman and we can say the same thing in reverse, the woman is not complete without the man.

As I said before, each one has their own role. This role is different but neither role is less important than the other.

[David_james]

I understand. What is their role then that a man can't do? Also what isn't allowed of a man that is allowed of a woman?

I hope you don't think I am being rude or stubborn. It has bugged me for a long time.

[Brother Jerry]

Men cannot have children.

[Soldier4Christ]

Men should not counsel women (other than his wife) and women should not counsel men. All too often when this type of counselling comes in line there comes a time when inappropriate subjects for a man to counsel a woman on will come up and the same in reverse. There is also inappropriate opportunities to succumb to sin in the matter.

Some excellent scripture to study on this and to answer your questions more in depth besides the ones that I have already mentioned are 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus chapter 2 and 1 Peter chapter 3.

[Lioness]

Some very brave people here. It's great when people are not afraid to share their beliefs and opinions.

I really like how Pastor Rogers said that men and women should be working together, not against
each other.


I am curious to know how you feel about the issue of women working and holding authority in the
workplace? Is it alright for a woman to open a business or hold authority over men in the working world? 
What do you think?

[David_james]

Men should not counsel women (other than his wife) and women should not counsel men. All too often when this type of counselling comes in line there comes a time when inappropriate subjects for a man to counsel a woman on will come up and the same in reverse. There is also inappropriate opportunities to succumb to sin in the matter.

Some excellent scripture to study on this and to answer your questions more in depth besides the ones that I have already mentioned are 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus chapter 2 and 1 Peter chapter 3.

That doesn't answer question because I asked, what isn't a man allowed to do that a woman is allowed to do?

[carlotta]

May I add an interesting quote from an orthodox rabbi?  It's in a study of Genesis.

"No sooner has the first man discovered the first woman than a problem arises, in essence THE problem of all human association.  The Bible puts this neatly and bluntly.  Woman is 'ezer ke-negdo',  standardly translated as 'a suitable helper'.  The translation misses the point.  'Ezer' means she is a help.  'Ke-negdo' means she is 'over-and-against' him.  She is not only a help but also a potential adversary.  She is a separate self, a person, an equal, not subordinate to the male.
..........Once Adam has recognized Eve as an equal-but-opposite, without whom he cannot beget life,  God Himself blesses their union."

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

[Soldier4Christ]

That doesn't answer question because I asked, what isn't a man allowed to do that a woman is allowed to do?

You were given two things that a woman can do that a man can't one physical and one spiritual. I also gave you scripture that gives more.

May I add an interesting quote from an orthodox rabbi?  It's in a study of Genesis.

Be very careful how much import you give to modern day Hebrew Rabbi and what they have to say in the interpretation of the Hebrew language. Frequently a Hebrew word can mean several different things and it must be taken in context in order to fully understand it's meaning as used in a given situation. For example, this self-same Rabbi has interpreted numerous verses and words in a manner that, in essence, removes any indication of the prophecies that show that Jesus was coming to earth when He did.

The various meanings of 'ke-negdo' or 'neged' as it is referred to in the Strong's:

   1. what is conspicuous, what is in front of adv
   2. in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of
   3. in front of oneself, straightforward
   4. before your face, in your view or purpose with prep
   5. what is in front of, corresponding to
   6. in front of, before
   7. in the sight or presence of
   8. parallel to
   9. over, for
  10. in front, opposite
  11. at a distance prep
  12. from the front of, away from
  13. from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from
  14. from before, in front of
  15. as far as the front of
  16. counterpart, a thing that fits another perfectly, something that completes


As you can see this word can have a confrontational meaning. It can also be taken to have a physical meaning, that woman is physically opposite of man. It can also be used to mean that she is in front of man, which some take it to mean that she is better than man and to lead man. You can also see if we were to use just this word alone where someone could say that she was made before Adam, which we know is not true by using the adjoining verses. If we look at Genesis 2:18-20, 24 we see more of what is meant by 'ezer ke-negdo'. First in verse 18 God says, "It is not good that the man should be alone". God therefore wanted to make Adam a companion not an adversary. In verses 19 and 20 we are told that Adam was having to name all the beast and fowl and every living creature all by himself. She was to aid Adam in his God given task. In verse 24 we are told that they are one flesh, not opposites, not opponents, but one with one objective.

[carlotta]

Thank you, Pastor---you certainly know how to unpack a Bible verse. I like that quote from the rabbi because I think it describes very well what many people experience during marriage: usually a bond of help and support,  but, on occasion, utter frustration with the spouse!  Well,  maybe it's just me.

There was a news item yesterday on TV about a couple celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. They said that the length and happiness of their marriage was due to  'a forgiving spirit'.  How wise, and of course exactly what the Lord has prescribed for all of us, all the time.

[Soldier4Christ]

There was a news item yesterday on TV about a couple celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. They said that the length and happiness of their marriage was due to  'a forgiving spirit'.  How wise, and of course exactly what the Lord has prescribed for all of us, all the time.

Amen, it is indeed the fruit of the Spirit.

[Rhys]

Some very brave people here. It's great when people are not afraid to share their beliefs and opinions.

I really like how Pastor Rogers said that men and women should be working together, not against
each other.


I am curious to know how you feel about the issue of women working and holding authority in the
workplace? Is it alright for a woman to open a business or hold authority over men in the working world? 
What do you think?

The queen of Sheba was a woman.