The Truth in Print Vol. 25 Issue 12, Jan. 2019
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
A Review of “Questions of women’s roles, as
with all questions, requires grace, humility” by Cana Moore (Part One)
A
Review of “Questions of women’s roles, as with all questions, requires grace,
humility” By Cana Moore (The Christian Chronicle, July 2019
https://christianchronicle.org/questions-of-womens-roles-as-with-all-questions-requires-grace-humility/).
I’ve got some things I want to say that I believe apply to some of the
contexts. The article should elicit thoughts of your own as well.
I Find
Some Questions but No Clear Answers (B.L.)
QUOTE:
“Of questions in the text of Scripture there is no end.”
QUOTE:
“What does the double narrative of Genesis mean, and was there full equality in
man and woman before the fall?”
Where do you look for the headship of the man
in Genesis and elsewhere? Genesis 1 completes the creation including man on the
6th day. First God created man (n. masc. Adam) and it also says He created male
and female (n. feminine). Jesus refers to this in Matt. 19:4 and so many today
need to understand what He said — the word “female” is from a word meaning “to
nurse.” Application for today’s generation is the female can’t be a “husband”
by today’s lesbian choice! Men don’t
give suck to babies. We are seeing what happens to a society that leaves God’s
headship out of man’s existence upon earth — women want headship with another
woman and call themselves their “husbands” trying to assume the role God gave
men.
In Genesis 2 we find man’s accountability.
Obviously Eve is not in the Garden at first and the command not to eat of the
tree of knowledge of good and evil is first given to Adam. In both accounts
“human beings” are set forth as a distinct class and are not in the “animal”
class. Evolution leads straight to Atheism and is a lie.
One purpose is to explain how God created
woman from man. The first exercise of headship was to name his wife. Leaving
father and mother (also quoted by our Lord) allows him to be the head and to
provide for his own (I Tim. 5:8). “Wife” (2:24) implies a husband – “her
husband” Gen. 3:6. And what did Paul say about the husband’s headship in Eph.
5:23?
Should one want to include Gen. 3 that’s Ok
because there you see his failure in headship! He should have refused her
offer, but didn’t. In God’s dealings with Eve in Gen. 3:16 things have not
changed concerning Adam being her head, but now God has added pain in
childbirth. Of course we also have I Tim. 2:13-14.
QUOTE:
“How do we wrestle with authentein, a Greek word that shows up only once in the
New Testament, 1 Timothy 2:12, translated “to usurp authority” in the King
James Bible? In other Greek texts, it’s far more violent.”
It is not so much that the word “to usurp
authority” appears only once — you don’t have to have a wrestling match with it
for it is not the only word and point made in the context. For women there are
other words here too:
1Ti
2:11 (NASB) “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire
submissiveness.”
1Ti
2:12 (NASB) “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a
man, but to remain quiet.”
1)
“receive instruction” [G3129 manthanō] Thayer: 1a) to increase one’s
knowledge, to be increased in knowledge.
2)
“in silence” / “quietly” [G2271 hēsuchia, n.] (as noun) stillness, that
is, desistance from bustle or language: - quietness, silence. > 1) Feminine
of G2272 hēsuchios - properly keeping one’s seat (sedentary), that is,
(by implication) still (undisturbed, undisturbing): - peaceable, quiet.
Paul gave a good explanation of what is
meant by her being in subjection:
3)
“with all submission” [G5292 hupotagē] Thayer: 2) obedience, subjection
> “entire” (the whole)
a)
“do not permit” – [G2010 epitrepō] Thayer: to permit, allow, give leave
(*Strong’s - transfer, turn over)
a1)
“to teach” [G1321 didaskō] Thayer: …deliver didactic discourses.
a2)
“or to have authority over” [G831 authenteō ] Strong’s: to act of
oneself, that is, (figuratively) dominate: - usurp authority over (*Thayer:
govern, exercise dominion over one)
a3)
“but to be in silence” / “but to remain quiet” [G2271]. ( Compare 2 Th.
3:6 “to work in a quiet fashion” — When
you are at work do you never speak a word? Thus women may sing and in so doing
teach and admonish in collective singing (Col. 3:16). But they can’t teach or
usurp authority over men in the church!
QUOTE:
“How do we reconcile 1 Corinthians 11 with chapters 14-15, discussing what
women are to do in the assembly, namely praying and prophesying?”
There’s no mention of the assembly with the
head-covering in I Cor. 11:1-16, and there is nothing in I Cor. 14 that would
allow what Paul said he did not permit in I Tim. 2:11-12.
You do find the general rule that women are to
keep silent in the churches: 1Co 14:34 (NASB) “The women are to keep silent in
the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject
themselves, just as the Law also says.” You find “keep silent” in verses 28, 30
and 34 meaning “to hold one’s peace.” And “speak” in I Cor. 14:2,3,4 is applied
to speaking in tongues and to prophesy. Women were not permitted to “speak” as
the men in the assemblies. You find application to the necessity of things done
decently and in order (Cf. vss. 33, 40) in I Cor. 14:35 (NASB) “If they desire
to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper
for a woman to speak in church.” You also find a stern warning: 1Co 14:37
(NASB) “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that
the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.”
A church of Christ will never be like what
you see on the various church bill boards around town where both the husband
and wife are said to be co-pastors of some church. Neither will its members be
found referring to a woman as their church’s so called “pastor.”
QUOTE:
“These questions must be asked, and I would
like to request respectfully that we ask them again, because if we are wrong,
this mistake has deadly spiritual consequence. We, as people who hold up the
Scriptures, should lead by example.
More than these important questions,
however, is our overriding question: Who is God, and what does God do? Have we
made our ideas about God into an idol?
It is easy in our Christian walk to
construct ideas about God that are false images, making God too small or
constrained. It is one thing to seek to know God and wholly another to try to
control God. Thankfully, God doesn’t always work in the ways that we think God
will.”
Well, we know who God is and we certainly
know where to find His revealed word (Gen. 1:1).
QUOTE:
“As we in the Churches of Christ approach
these and other questions, I would like to make two small suggestions. I hope I
am brave enough to employ them.
Our first concern should be knowing God as a
God of grace.
God cares about our actions, but out of
concern for what our works and sins are doing to us and how they are shaping
us. God does not save and love on technicality, but with mercy, as we are being
conformed to God’s image. Even our best efforts are filthy rags, which cannot
and do not save. God accepts us by Christ’s virtue, not ours.”
God’s Grace and Mercy is With Us in Truth (B.L.)
Both grace and truth came through Christ
(Jo. 1:17). In John 8:32 it is the truth that makes us free. He said “If you
abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (Jo. 8:31).
We know the grace of God in truth:
Col
1:5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard
before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
Col
1:6 which has come to you, as it has
also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you
since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
Grace, mercy and peace is in truth and
love:
2Jn
1:1 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and
not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,
2Jn
1:2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:
2Jn
1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
2Jn
1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in
truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
One doesn’t have this grace without the
truth. I Tim. 2:4 says God “...desires all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth.” Men try to control God’s grace when they claim they
are His disciples while choosing to ignore His Word.
We are Saved by Grace
through Faith (B.L.)
Eph
2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God,
Eph
2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Eph
2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which
God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
How does faith come? Rom 10:17 “So then
faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Not only do grace and
truth go together but faith alone does not save: Jas 2:24 “Ye see then how that
by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” And obedient faith is
necessary. Jas 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead also.”
God’s grace, faith and doing the works He
prepared beforehand in eternity to be revealed in the New Testament enable us
to be holy an blameless before Him in love — Eph 1:4 “just as He chose us in
Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without
blame before Him in love.”
We are saved by God’s plan and purpose in
Christ not by our own plan or works. Paul explains, 2Ti 1:9 “who has saved us and called us with a holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace
which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” Thus knowledge of
Christ’s word with belief and obedience (Eph. 2:10) enables us to walk worthy
before Him.
Col
1:9 For this reason we also, since the
day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be
filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding;
Col
1:10 that you may walk worthy of the
Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in
the knowledge of God;
In the whole gospel “system” we find
forgiveness based upon repentance and confession (Cf. Acts 8:22; I Jo. 1:6-9).
Thus “without blame” (Eph. 1:4) fits in when considering repentance, confession
and the forgiveness of our sin. We are to abstain from every form of evil (I
Thes. 5:22).
Best Efforts are Seen Where? (B.L.)
Well they are seen in our doing the things
that please God that He has given us to do in the Gospel. Read Col. 1:9-10
above again. Thus to name a few:
1)
Contending for the faith once delivered: Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to
write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you
appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all
handed down to the saints.
2)
Holding fast to the form of sound words: 2Ti. 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound
words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
3)
In diligence: 2Ti 2:15 Be diligent to
present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth. *approved means acceptable
4)
Without wavering: Heb 10:23 Let us hold
fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is
faithful. — Here not forsaking the assembling is needed application (Heb.
10:25).
5)
By proving all things and holding that which is good (I Th. 5:21).
6)
By sacrifices well pleasing to God: Heb. 13:16
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God
is well pleased.
7)
The several “virtues” listed in 2 Pet. 1:5-11. 2Pe 1:8 For if these things are
yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ. …2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to
make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never
stumble; 2Pe 1:11 for so an entrance
will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
Both Grace and Mercy are “in Christ” (B.L.)
Heb.
4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
1)
Mercy [G1656] eleos - Thayer Definition: 1) mercy: kindness or good will
towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.
2)
Grace [G5485] charis - Thayer
Definitions combine the favor or kindness of God with the resultant benefits,
salvation, help, protection etc. You can define grace by what it gives.
Again where do you see the necessity of
works?
1)
In the steps of obedience that includes being baptized into Christ for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27).
2)
What is expected after baptism?
a) Heb. 10:25-29,
b) Ja. 2:13,
c) Ja. 2:24, 26.
The Word, the New Testament is the gospel of
grace (Acts 14:3, 20:24). Paul urged the Christians in Corinth “… not to
receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1). “Vain” is a primary word that
means “empty” i.e. fruitless, to no purpose. The apostle Peter admonished
Christians to be on guard lest they be led astray with the error of the wicked,
and fall from their own steadfastness, but to grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:17-18). We are to be “strong in
the grace of God” (2 Ti. 2:2).
In speaking of God’s grace — scriptures tie
love, grace, faith and obedience together. The same is true of His mercy. If
not then much is lacking.
(*A
continuation and conclusion will be in part two.)
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00;
Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
To learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com