The Equality of Women in the Church

Consider this verse:

Gal:3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

If one verse contradicts another, you must let your heart choose which is the correct interpretation. This verse says that in Christ there is no differentiation between men and women as regards spiritual matters, nor between races, nor between free people and those who were slaves at the time. Remember, just because slavery existed in Bible times does not mean that the Bible condones it as being ethical or being morally right.  It would be no more right today for women to be second class citizens who are ruled over by men than it was or is right to own slaves. Such were their times, but again, this did not make it correct.

Job was considered blameless before God, an upstanding man who lived a perfect life. Now consider this thing which Job did:

Job:42:15: "And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren." Job elevated his daughters to equality with their brothers. Think about it. Absorb this notion--this man whom God declared perfect was also a man who believed in equal rights for men and women.

Pontius Pilate made the wrong decision in condemning Jesus to death, but had his wife been the one that made the choice, none of this may have happened, as per this quote:

Mt:27:19: "When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him."

That is not to say that all men would have made the same mistake Pilate did, nor that all women would have made the right choice. It does, however, point to the fact that God chose her to speak for Him and to warn Pilate, giving him a fair chance to change his mind.

In Judges chapter four we see that Deborah was a prophetess who judged Israel. Her prediction came true concerning the death of Sisera and by whom he would be dispatched, thus validating what she was doing--if God didn't approve of her being in authority, He wouldn't have spoken to her or have allowed her this spiritual gift. The fact that He knowingly spoke through her validates her office.

Those who want to say that men should lead just because they were born as males and not because a particular man is the most qualified person for the job are missing an important point: everyone is different and has different talents to bring and share in the spiritual community.  If a woman is a gifted speaker, a great organizer, a paragon of patience, etc., she should be allowed--no, rather, she is obligated to use her gifts and abilities instead of hiding them in the sand. (See Matthew 25, Parable of the Talents)

Men who want to hold onto leadership for no better reason than that a scrap of a verse declared the men of a certain church to be, at their time, most qualified for the job are (in my estimation) not feeling adequate enough to hold a position based solely upon their own talents and eligibility.  If we don't feel threatened by the competence of women, then let us drop this male/female contest for chief and get to work.