Every now and then the scripture we get in the day has paranetheses in it. The hint, from the editors, is do not read these verses: they are footnotes, leave them alone. So I am not going to.
Therefore this post has the obligatory warning if you are a feminist or a progressive, take your blood pressure meds right now. The word of God is quick and active, discerning the spirit, and all scripture is worthy and useful for correction and teaching. Including Paul’s command that women are silent in the church, and the implications of this statement have given the context of that statement.
1 CORINTHIANS 14:26-33A (33B-36) 37-40
26What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. 28But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. 32And the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets, 33for God is a God not of disorder but of peace.
(As in all the churches of the saints, 34women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. 35If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?)
37Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have spiritual powers, must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. 38Anyone who does not recognize this is not to be recognized. 39So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; 40but all things should be done decently and in order.
When I was young I thought this was because the women of the time were unlearned and were asking their husbands in church what was going on. Well, that was wrong. Roman and Greek Ladies had an education, and attended the symposiums (symposia?) of the day — which admittedly were as much fraternity style drinking and wenching parties as philosophy
But when I reflect on the sheer snark and horror you find when you read what is written as a counter to the current essays by people like Matt Forney, there are very few female voices that are logical and rational: most of them are Christian but I know of a few secular exceptions. I link to them as I find them. . But, interestingly, every one of them every one that I know, has had their own five minutes of hate.
So I have a suspicion Paul told women to shut up to kill the gossioy conversations in church. He clearly wanted an order, and things to proceed so all could understand them. He wanted men to take the lead. He also knew that if women get in and do something, male logic is such that it is seen as girly and young men will not want to step up and do it.
Keeping women silent in church may be what it takes to stop the church being a female ghetto.
So, Ladies, if you love the Lord and grieve for the lost male souls who are going to hell, can you accept that for one hour a week you should let the men lead, preach, teach, and remain silent at Kirk? Are you prepared to teach over the teacups younger women to care for their husbands, to love him, and to let him lead on this issue?
Or are you prepared to cast out men for the sake of your screwed up ideas of equality. For allowing women to preach and teach will drive the men away.
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