FEMINISM IN THE LORD'S CHURCH

Feminism is defined as : "the theory that women should have political, economic and social rights equal to those of men." While such an idea has its merits, the feminist movement has taken it too far. Feminism is even making inroads into the church. Some among us are advocating that women in the church are equally entitled to hold all religious offices, works and leadership roles that men do. As a result some congregations have women leading the singing, leading in prayer, serving the Lord's Supper, and even working as deacons, preachers and elders. But, is such in harmony with the Scriptures? This is a question that needs to be answered from the Word of God

What Bible verses are used as authority for giving the above-mentioned roles to women? The favorite among the feminists is Gal.3:28. This verse reads, "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." This verse is the "mother of all verses" to the feminist. After giving their New Hermeneutic some assistance by twisting the verse out of context they reach the conclusion that men and women are to function equally in the same capacities both in the church and in the home. To the feminist Gal.3:28 legalizes the woman to do everything the man may do in the church. Is this the message God was revealing to us when Paul wrote Gal.3:28?

To properly understand any verse of Scripture the verse must be considered in its context. What is the context of Gal.3:28? Notice Gal.3:26-27, which reads, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.." These two verses prove beyond doubt that the matter under consideration is "salvation in Christ." That is the context in which Gal.3:28 is found. Whether one was a Jew or a Gentile, a slave or a freeman, a man or a woman made no difference. The gospel was for all lost sinners. When anyone, Jew or Gentile, slave or freeman, man or woman put on Christ in baptism, he enjoyed the same salvation from sin as did every other child of God. All spiritual blessings were his, equally, with all other Christians. He sustained the same spiritual relationship with God as did all others who were saved. As the Bible emphasizes, God is no respecter of persons, Acts 10;34-35.

Feminism dislikes the idea of woman's "subjection" to man. To the mind of a true feminist to be in "subjection" makes woman a "slave" of man. But, woman's "subjection" to man is the work of God. All women who resist this "subjection" rebel against the will of God..

The Bible tells us "the head of the woman is man," 1 Cor.11:3. 1 Cor. 11:8 reveals one reason why God has made man to be the head of the women. The verse tells us, "For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man." This is a reference to the time of creation. At that time God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a help meet for him," Gen 2:18. Based on that decision God proceeded to make woman from a rib of man. God has placed woman in "subjection" to man because man was made first and, then, the woman was made to be man's helper and companion.

A second reason for woman's "subjection" to man is given in Gen.3:16. As part of her punishment for sin God told Eve, "thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." This has been the law of God since the time of the Garden of Eden