Thank you so much for the background information. I agree with what you have said.

For some reason men seem to see women as some kind of competitors as if women are trying to take away the man’s hold on their own special kingdom. That really has puzzled me especially since I see scripture as clearly teaching that the one who wants to be the greatest should be the servant of ALL. Wow! That just says it all, yet it isn’t what we see practiced in so many churches. I wonder how much a place pride comes in to play? If we truly followed Jesus’ injunction to keep a servant’s heart and to lift up others as better than ourselves, I have a hard time thinking that there would be any fight over a place of leadership. True leadership is only really shown through bending down to lift others up. Your face is in the dirt a lot and you aren’t always appreciated, but the true rewards are knowing that you are serving Jesus through serving his body - his special bride. The body can use way more servants like this. Anyone who really wants to serve because they have been called to use their gifts for the body shouldn’t have to fight those who want to stop them from bowing down to serve. It is only when we make “leadership” and “teaching” to be equivalent to “power” and “lording it over others” do we have all the problems that cause men to restrict their sisters because they are protecting their territory. When the mud on the ground is the “territory” because true leadership is humbling bowing down to be of service to the body, no one is going to fight for the mud. The fight has been for the pedestal and not for the position of humility. There is no earthly glory in humility but the eternal rewards are great.

I agree about studying the passages in original language before going to commentaries. That was why I needed some sort of tool to help me.

Cheryl, I went to an ordination of a woman deacon at my mom’s SBC church back in the 1980’s. (Gasp). It was one of the few SBC in our city that would ordain her.

But I started attending an ‘exciting’ mega church that really preached the complimentarian role intensely. To the point that we are in sin if we teach men at all. And of course, this is taught all over Christendom including radio, books, etc. (I often wonder why this particular teaching is SO much more important than others that are more needed!) But my eyes were opened to many things at the mega that did not add up.

For example: Women were hired in managament positions over ministry departments. Some elders balked at this but it happened anyway. The worst thing about it was that the women they hired were not Biblically literate…they were professionals in the workplace such as lawyers, communications professionals, etc. (I was one of them hired) So can you see the problem here? They did not expect them to be Biblically literate! Yet, they gave them what I would consider a ’shepherding’ role over staff in the church that included men. What place would you NEED to be Biblically literate but over staff at church? (We are talking over 500 staff at this church)

This caused many problems but I saw the hypocrisy in the teaching on women’s roles real quick. How can you shepherd a staff in the church without teaching scripture?

I come from a legacy of women who really studied scripture. My grandmother was quite a scholar and studied scripture intensely. She graduated from college in 1902 and taught before marrying late in life. At the age of 84, she was taking courses at Moody. For my mom, women teaching and roles was never an issue…she just did her thing in the church with joy..teaching, music, etc. You know, you just do what needs to be done.

I say all of this not to boast but to remember and show how easy it is to get caught up in man’s systems and teachings as I did. But even bringing this up in most circles causes such vitriol and division, you sometimes think it is best to be ‘quiet’.

To be honest…some things in NT scripture just never added up. Why prophesying at Pentecost but silent at church? I could go on and on with what I saw as contradictions but everyone kept pointing to Timothy to make their point and the fact that we are not to ‘understand’ the mysteries of God.

By the way, I thank you for the loving position you have taken on this.

Good to hear from you! Yes, the very best advice on scripture that I have ever heard is to read the entire context and never just a single verse. This wisdom has kept me from making plenty of mistakes following someone’s “proof text”.

Now as to the basics regarding study tools. I always suggest a mostly free computer bible program called e-Sword. It is at http://www.e-sword.net. I downloaded most all of the bibles except for the foreign language ones and the commentaries although I rarely read commentaries at least until I have done all of my homework in the original languages. E-Sword also has a great tool in KJV+TVM which is the numbering system where you can easily look up the meaning of the original words PLUS the tense, mood and voice which really helps to understand the grammar. The additions that I would recommend one to buy for a fairly small cost would be the NASB, the NET bible with extensive translator notes (the regular NET bible with some notes is free at bible.org) and The Complete WordStudy Dictionary which is a great study aid for us “common” folks.

I have lots of other bible helps that are more involved than the resources on e-Sword, but I use e-Sword the most out of all the tools I have on hand. Years ago I spent over $1,000 on a bible software package when bible programs were just coming out on the computer, but e-Sword outshines it and I no longer use the program I bought.

Lin, it sounds like your mom was one smart lady who knew her bible and didn’t rely on the fallacy of human tradition.

If I can help you further on bible study, please do let me know.

Blessings!
Cheryl

BTW: I received WIM CD 2 days ago and have already watched it 3 times with my Bible open. I am still in shock over the 1 Corinthians 14: 34-36 teaching. How have so many missed it? It really does not make sense when you read the letter as a whole.

The best advice on the DVD is to never read a Bible verse. Read the whole letter!

By the way, growing up, my mom told me that the passage in 1 Timothy about women being silent was in reference to ’specific women’ and not all women. Wonder how she knew that? It is too late to ask her as she died a few years ago.

(-:
kerryn