Women in the Pulpit? 1/3/16

The attached picture reminds us that women were the first to preach the Gospel. But obviously, this is a highly contentious and provocative topic in most Christian circles. How does the Lord Jesus feel about all of this discussion and contention? The issue of gender is not as big an issue as many Christians make it out to be. Recall he says “I will pour out my Spirit on ALL flesh.” That means men and women. It’s rather redundant to talk about women in the pulpit when the New Testament doesn’t even talk about a “pulpit.”

The problem with so many Christians is that they believe there are sons and daughters of God. This is Old Testament theology. We read in Romans that “the whole creation is groaning and travailing in pain for the manifestation of the Sons of God.” So then all of creation will be set free not by the return of Jesus but by the Manifested Sons. “God shall shortly bruise Satan under your feet.” “Sons of God” is a term that means created directly by God. Hence in Job the angels are even referred to as Sons of God.

Recall, “we are being born again of an incorruptible [invincible, immortal] seed.” So then Sons of God is not gender related nor male exclusive. It refers to all those who are “being conformed to his image.” You too dear sisters, like your brothers in Christ, are called to be Sons of God. “As many as received Him, to them gave he the power to become the Sons of God.” This sort of wrangling and disputing over the role of women in the church, the mere discussion of it, the arguments for and against is of the flesh. This is an example of how Judiazed the church has become.

He seeks those “who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.” He doesn’t seek to re-establish or reinforce a fleshly kingdom like the Old Testament nation of Israel. “The kingdom of God is not meat or drink but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” Why are you looking for a worldly order. This entire discussion of the role of women in the church is worldly. It is of the flesh. “In Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond or free, male or female.” “Set your affections on things above and not on things of the earth where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.”

And what is it like above where Christ sitteth? Jesus made it abundantly clear for us in Matthew 22:23-30. “The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” I pray you be blessed in Jesus name.

Jerry Turk's photo.