In Spite of What Paul Taught?

In the Birmingham News editorial page several years ago a Ms. Hurst wrote: “I think Baptist leaders need to rethink this issue of women ‘graciously submitting to their husbands.’ As a woman, I will not submit “graciously” or otherwise to any man. These beliefs and teachings are archaic and are the reason we cannot attract people to our church. Jesus … made us all equal – yes, even women, in spite of what Paul thought.”  Did you get that; this so called Christian believes what she believes about the woman’s role “in spite of what Paul” taught.

Obviously some believers think only what Jesus said (what’s in the red letters) matters, but actually all of the Bible was inspired (revealed) by God.  We see this from a number of passages …

John 16:13 reads “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

I Cor 2:13 says “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

And Paul said in I Cor 14:37 “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.”

So when Paul taught wives should submit to their husbands, that was actually God speaking …

Eph 5:22-24 teaches exactly that “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 saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”

Ms. Hurst also wrote: “What about the issue of women being allowed to be pastors? Almost every other Protestant church lets women be pastors.”

The passages previously quoted would also mean what Paul said forbidding “women preachers” was inspired (revealed) by God …

I Cor 14:34-35 is clear on the issue “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.”

I Tim 2:11-12 confirms the Bible teaching on this question “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 some reason, most churches allow women to preach from the pulpit. Why? Do they not recognize the Bible is the guidebook for Christians and congregations to follow (II Tim 3:16-17)?  Don’t you think we ought to worship with a church that still uses the Bible as its guidebook?