The quoted “law” is the oral law as Don said.  It is not God’s law but the tradition of men.  I don’t bring two interpretations and if you think I do, you will have to show me where I do that.  Have a look at my previous articles on 1 Cor. 14.  See especially http://strivetoenter.com/wim/2008/09/24/forbid-not/

The letter written to Paul that prompted Paul to write the book of 1 Corinthians is responded to throughout the book and 1 Cor. 14:34, 35 is attributed as a quote from that letter and verse 36 is Paul’s response to the quote which is a very strong contradiction to the two verses that precede it.

I hope this helps!

Actually it is possible to mitigate 1 Cor. 14:34 when one understands the source of this “law”.  Yes, women do indeed recognize “shut up” when it is said.  The question must then be asked - who said it?  If it is said by Paul, then he contradicts himself in verse 36.  If the Corinthians are the ones who said it, then Paul rightfully contradicts their wrong view in verse 36.  Paul’s inspired words very clearly show that verse 36 contradicts the “law” given in verses 34 & 35.  Praise God that he tells those would would tell women to “shut up”, that these ones themselves need to be ignored (aka “shut up”).  God has spoken.  Many are the women who publish the good news (Psalms 68:11).

Today’s Christian community seems obsessed with control and chains of command. That is why they think blog owners should “own” their readers, and be held responsible for every site or article they link to. They see no difference between a homeowner’s right to control the atmosphere of their own home and their being responsible for the entire lives of the your visitors in their own homes as well.

But it does amount to an important admission: they know you are influential, and that your influence is freeing slaves. This they cannot endure, because they themselves are enslaved to mere humans and loyal to them above even Christ, and to their teachings above scripture. By showing strong opposition to them and not allowing their rage to run amok in your blog, you serve them notice that even the nicest Christians can and must show backbone in the face of evil.

U go girl!

(PS: I “just happened” to have been prompted to take a fresh look at my salvation article, and would be honored to hear your assessment when you have a moment. It’s now in two parts: one for the basic gospel, and another to elaborate on it as relating to various theories including predestination.)

(My husband wants to add this to his list of silly aliases.)

The gospel has implications not just for heaven and eternal life but for how the new community formed by Christ is to function.  I think Paul, Peter and the disciples were applying the gospel when household codes came up for discussion.  i don’t believe the codes are normative but the application for the gospel to a specific cultural mindset. 

<i>”Have cultural changes trumped the social order of the Bible? Or have we in some way misunderstood the intent and wisdom the Apostle Paul when he wrote, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace…Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says” (1Cor 14:33-34).”</i>