Now I grew up Presbyterian and currently attend a Methodist church. I have always enjoyed the sermons when I have attended Baptist services, but honestly sometimes their theology just confuses me. I don't understand a lot of their particular rules. For instance last night while I am watching a very solemn ceremony and really enjoying the music I come to the realization that all four incoming deacons are men. The 12 deacons that already exist in the church are all men.
Is there a reason for this?
I asked my husband who grew up Southern Baptist and his reply was that it just was tradition (ummm okay, but probably wrong). What is the real theory or doctrine behind this? I know I am a feminist and I raise my girls to know they will be capable of anything they set their minds too. They are not being raised as girly balls of fluff with no brains and a mind only for choosing the best eye cream and nail polish.
Of course my girls jumped right on my bandwagon in the car. They wanted to know why their grandmother was good enough to only be a sunday school teacher in that faith but not really much else. As much as I love the church and all that it stands for, I can't help but think this demeans women. If there is a biblical reason for it I really want to know so that I better understand, Anyone?????
On a side note, Rebecca was telling a friend yesterday that she was heading to her grandad's church to see him become a beacon.
I love this because he certainly is shining a light to bring others into the fold, and we can all be beacons.....just not deacons.
1 comments:
Okay, the first question I have for you is this: what is the definition of a feminist? I think women can do anything too, but some jobs are not really suited for them. For example, if I had my preference I would rather have a male firefighter pull me out of my burning home than a female. Not that she couldn't do it, but the simple fact is that men are stronger. Doesn't mean she doesn't have the right to do it, it's just that I think a man is better suited for it. That's just my opinion.
Now, as for God's opinion about males in the pastoral role, in 1 and 2 Timothy, Paul speaks about men in the pastoral ministry. No where does it speak of women being called into the ministry. Also, throughout the Old Testament, it was the man's responsibility to serve in the role of priests. Women were never priests. While it is not specifically forbidden for women to be pastors, Paul does say "I do not permit [meaning, it is not proper for] women to stand up in church and speak" This does not refer to prayers but rather the preaching of the word and administering of the sacrament. It is not so much tradition, as much as it is Biblical Precedent, that no where in scripture was a woman ever a priest or elder.
Rather than look upon it as a restriction, consider it as a responsibility. Jesus did put the responsibility of continuing preaching his message on men, not women. No where in Scripture did Jesus give that responsibility to a woman.
And, women have very important and very specific roles in scripture. They are equally important but in different ways. This doesn't make women any less significant than men, it just makes them have different responsibilities.
Also, Jesus' 12 disciples were all men. Some may argue that at the time choosing a woman would have been culturally unacceptable. But Jesus was never concerned with being culturally accepted. His actions were influenced by no one. Jesus' actions were no accident.
Here's a website that gives some answers, or maybe it doesn't but just raises more questions???
http://www.gotquestions.org/women-pastors.html
So, whether you agree or disagree, I hope this answers your questions about where the other side is coming from.
:-)
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