I have wondered if the burka is the devil’s mockery of Christian ignorance.
Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
Hebrews 5:8-14 CJB Even though he was the Son, he learned obedience through his sufferings. (9) And after he had been brought to the goal, he became the source of eternal deliverance to all who obey him, (10) since he had been proclaimed by God as a cohen gadol to be compared with Malki-Tzedek. (11) We have much to say about this subject, but it is hard to explain, because you have become sluggish in understanding. (12) For although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the very first principles of God's Word all over again! You need milk, not solid food! (13) Anyone who has to drink milk is still a baby, without experience in applying the Word about righteousness. (14) But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by continuous exercise to distinguish good from evil.
Could it be that the teachings pertaining to women’s roles in the church are part of the “first principles of God's Word” that we need to relearn?
Some women have great wisdom, as great as many mature men. But it is a changing of the apostle’s doctrine and the command of the Lord to grant even such a woman the place to teach in the assembly. An important question then will be “What is the assembly?” If it requires a pulpit and “sanctuary” it would be easier to keep the Lord’s rule that women not teach or dispute in the assembly. What of the assembly of two or three gathered in His Name? But in the assembly of a man’s home women are commanded to learn from their husbands. So it may be seen that the greater issue is a man’s spiritual fitness in his own home.
I once heard of a woman who sought counsel regarding her UNSAVED husband. She was advised to ask her husband what the scriptures meant. He undertook the matter and was saved as the scriptures taught Him!
It seems that God has set the pattern that a man should teach his wife. This pattern is wonderfully reflected by Paul in Ephesians 5:
Ephesians 5:25-28 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) 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. (28) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Jesus is the brideGROOM. Why does a women betrothed, a bride, need a groom? I think God has by Genesis Ch. 3 and Romans 8:20-21 placed men and women in roles in which they will learn of Him! Matthew 11:28-30.
The ages old tensions between men and women, particularly between husbands and wives so often concern the matter of who leads and who follows. Any woman who might be reading this might ask herself, “If my husband decided to leave his job, sell the house and move to another place, would I follow him?” How committed are we to the command that the husband lead the family? If this example seems extreme, consider Sarah who followed Abraham in his journey, and Rebekah, Rachel, Leah and others. God spoke to their husbands and they moved out together. It could be that many who should be saved would respond very favorably to examples of this pattern were it seen in the churches today. But I fear that for many men in the churches, that asking such obedience from their wives could cause such contention as to destroy the marriage altogether. So I don’t suggest any trial balloons be sent aloft. Prayer on the other hand is always recommended.
Man’s inclination (“need”) to be received as sent and ordained of God in the eyes of other men, even many men (large congregations, mega churches, big revivals), leads him to relax the rules. Perhaps this writer’s flaw is that he wants to be seen as someone who exerts by the rules excessively? God knows how things work and we need to find out His desire. Do we to not want to reach and teach men and women with God’s ways? We don’t want to use rules as a bar in ways that hinder, or a control device. Rules are boundaries to protect. Some rules however do hinder, and are purposed to hinder certain behaviors.
1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
God is immutable and so is His word! Man’s inclination to get along with his wife in some cases ends with a wife leading. Women should not take advantage of their weak and reluctant (shy) husbands. On the contrary they should pray their husbands be humble and courageous and that they learn from God and from men who lead well. No man should have a wife who acts as his mother, for then the pattern of male leadership will be absent. I wonder how much unruliness in children is due to the wife’s lack of submissive character and/or the husband’s lack of the exercise of godly authority?
We live in an age where the very deceits of satan are ruling in many houses of “worship.” Women are received as and promoted to be bishops, pastors and teacher, and evangelists and apostles. If they are not to rule or teach their own husbands how can they be allowed to teach and rule other women’s husbands? There is no 1st century example of women as any except as prophets. And why? The prophet speaks by 100% inspiration. Authority is not an issue, only accuracy.
Frankly I really am wondering if the day of the prophet and the apostle is really over. Could it possibly be that there just aren’t any true apostles and prophets, even if there ought to be some? It is truly confusing to hear all the many voices on that subject extant in the churches. But as to women teaching or functioning as gifts who must teach, apostle, evangelist, pastor, and teacher we have God’s WORD of COMMANDMENT! Perhaps the allowance of women in roles reserved for men is what diminishes the reception of real apostles, prophets and teachers in some “camps.”
(Titus 2:3-5)
If a single woman is a Pastor and then marries, is she her husbands Pastor? Is a woman to have authority over any husband? If a woman is a Pastor is she in authority over the husbands in her congregation? Do wives want women to be in authority over their husbands? I think we have lost the concept of leadership coming from God the Father and the Son to the disciples who were all men. If God had wanted women apostles, why would He wait 2000 years to reveal it to us? Where is the example, the pattern? It is there and it is that leadership is male. Is the Bible sufficient and complete or not?
(1Corinthians 14:33-40 ESV)
37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I [Paul] am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
(1Co 14:33-40 The Message)
37 If any one of you thinks God has something for you to say or has inspired you to do something, pay close attention to what I [Paul] have written. This is the way the Master wants it.
38 If you won’t play by these rules, God can’t use you. Sorry.
Perhaps if we would recognize the commands of the Lord we might have prophets and apostles again whom God would validate.
2Corinthians 12:11-12 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. (12) Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
G1321
διδάσκω
didaskō
did-as'-ko
A prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb δάω daō (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application): - teach.
Teaching comes to us by word and by example. The pattern is seen in life, by example, and then communicated to our minds by words that are by and in KNOWN language. James shows that those who are perfect in word are able to control all their actions, as he warns the people not to be (become) many teachers. Teachers ARE judged by the Lord more critically. I believe they are likely to be chastened more severely for their words as their words guide the minds and actions of others. So when the APOSTLE Paul says “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” will we be taught, instructed and guided to act according to his writings? Or has another teacher improved upon the commandments of the Lord?
A personal observation, teaching is called also instruction, and I see that as the construction of the inward man or woman. Teachers influence people in a way others do not. They have authority to teach, they are to declare to others how to behave. This is a gift directed I believe to those in need of teaching, in need of instruction and maturity.
2Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
The word of reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness to men is not well suited in the mouths of women. If it were the apostle would never have written forbidding women teachers, and disputers.
Teachers communicate to the youngest and the oldest pupils (disciples) words that should be transformative, transforming the minds from the thoughts of the satan inspired world into the thought of the mind of Christ. A lot of what tweens and teens need to be taught is best taught in all male and all female settings. And the authority, ranks of submission and roles should not be broken down before their eyes.
Genesis 3:17-19
To Adam he said, "Because you listened to what your wife said and ate from the tree about which I gave you the order, 'You are not to eat from it,' the ground cursed on your account; you will work hard to eat from it as long as you live. (18) It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat field plants. (19) You will eat bread by the sweat of your forehead till you return to the ground — for you were taken out of it: you are dust, and you will return to dust."
(Genesis 16 The Message)
1 ¶ Sarai, Abram’s wife, hadn’t yet produced a child. She had an Egyptian maid named Hagar.
2 Sarai said to Abram, "GOD has not seen fit to let me have a child. Sleep with my maid. Maybe I can get a family from her." Abram agreed to do what Sarai said.
(ESV) 2 And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took her Egyptian maid Hagar and gave her to her husband Abram as a wife. Abram had been living ten years in
4 ¶ He slept with Hagar and she got pregnant. When she learned she was pregnant, she looked down on her mistress.
5 Sarai told Abram, "It’s all your fault that I’m suffering this abuse. I put my maid in bed with you and the minute she knows she’s pregnant, she treats me like I’m nothing. May GOD decide which of us is right."
(ESV) 5 And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me!”
(1Corinthians 14:33-40)
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 saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, 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. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
(1Corinthians 14:33-40 CBJ)
for God is not a God of unruliness but of shalom. As in all the congregations of God's people, let the wives remain silent when the congregation meets; they are certainly not permitted to speak out. Rather, let them remain subordinate, as also the Torah says; and if there is something they want to know, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak out in a congregational meeting. Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or is endowed with the Spirit, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is a command of the Lord. But if someone doesn't recognize this, then let him remain unrecognized. So, my brothers, eagerly seek to prophesy; and do not forbid speaking in tongues; but let all things be done in a proper and orderly way.
(1 Corinthians 14:33-40 ESV)
37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
(1 Corinthians 14:33-40 The Message)
37 If any one of you thinks God has something for you to say or has inspired you to do something, pay close attention to what I have written. This is the way the Master wants it.
38 If you won’t play by these rules, God can’t use you. Sorry.
(1Timothy 2:8-15)
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 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. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
(1Timothy 5:9-10)
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, {taken…: or, chosen}
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
(1Peter 3:1-6)
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. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 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 Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
(Ephesians 5:22-24)
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 savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
1Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
(Titus 2:3-5)
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior 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 ESV)
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,
4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
(Titus 2:3-5 The Message)
3 Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness.
4 By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children,
5 be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior.
1 Corinthians 11 The Message
1 ¶ It pleases me that you continue to remember and honor me by keeping up the traditions of the faith I taught you. All actual authority stems from Christ.
2, 3 In a marriage relationship, there is authority from Christ to husband, and from husband to wife. The authority of Christ is the authority of God.
4 Any man who speaks with God or about God in a way that shows a lack of respect for the authority of Christ, dishonors Christ.
5 In the same way, a wife who speaks with God in a way that shows a lack of respect for the authority of her husband, dishonors her husband.
6 Worse, she dishonors herself—an ugly sight, like a woman with her head shaved. This is basically the origin of these customs we have of women wearing head coverings in worship, while men take their hats off. By these symbolic acts,
7 men and women, who far too often butt heads with each other, submit their "heads" to the Head: God.
8 ,9 , 10 Don’t, by the way, read too much into the differences here between men and women.
11 Neither man nor woman can go it alone or claim priority. Man was created first, as a beautiful shining reflection of God—that is true. But the head on a woman’s body clearly outshines in beauty the head of her "head," her husband.
12 The first woman came from man, true—but ever since then, every man comes from a woman! And since virtually everything comes from God anyway, let’s quit going through these "who’s first" routines.
13 Don’t you agree there is something naturally powerful in the symbolism—a woman, her beautiful hair reminiscent of angels, praying in adoration; a man, his head bared in reverence, praying in submission?
14, 15, 16 I hope you’re not going to be argumentative about this. All God’s churches see it this way; I don’t want you standing out as an exception.
(1 Corinthians 11:3-16)
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
(1 Corinthians 11:3-16 ~ J.B. Phillips)
1 ¶ COPY me, my brothers, as I copy Christ himself.
2 I must give you credit for remembering what I taught you and adhering to the traditions I passed on to you.
3 But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every individual man, just as a man is the "head" of the woman and God is the head of Christ.
4 If a man prays or preaches with his head covered, he is dishonouring his own head.
5 But in the case of a woman, if she prays or preaches with her head uncovered it is just as much a disgrace as if she had had it closely shaved.
6 For if a woman does not cover her head she might just as well have her hair cropped. And if to be cropped or closely shaven is a sign of disgrace to woman, then that is all the more reason for her to cover her head.
7 A man ought not to cover his head, for he represents the very person and glory of God, while the woman reflects the glory of the man.
8 For man does not exist because woman exists, but vice versa.
9 Man was not created originally for the sake of woman, but woman was created for the sake of man.
10 For this reason a woman ought to bear on her head an outward sign of men’s authority for all the angels to see.
11 Of course, in the sight of the Lord neither "man" nor "woman" has any separate existence.
12 For if woman was made originally from man, no man is now born except by a woman, and both man and woman, like everything else, owe their existence to God.
13 But use your own judgment: do you think it right and proper for a woman to pray to God bare–headed?
14 Isn’t there a natural principle here, that makes us feel that long hair is disgraceful to a man,
15 but of glorious beauty to a woman? We feel this because the long hair is the cover provided by nature for the woman’s head.
16 But if anyone wants to be argumentative about it, I can only say that we and the churches of God generally hold this ruling on the matter.
Women are not destroyed by being ruled by men of God. They are not destroyed by submitting to them. They are not destroyed by covering their heads when praying, nor by limiting their teaching to younger women. But what may happen by ignoring or refusing God’s commands? Confusion. It may be that the acceptance of women in the roles of teacher, then pastor, and then apostle has actually led the whole world into feminism and emasculation. I have wondered if the burka is the devil’s mockery of Christian ignorance.
