Divorce and the Ministry

For years I have always been taught, “Divored men can’t be in ministry.” So for years, I just accepted this a fact. Over the last few years I have reconciled much of my belief system in many areas, this area of divorced men or women in ministry has caused many questions for me. Where in scripture does it mandate this guideline and how does that effect other sin in light of grace?

Should Women be Elders in the Church?

In the offset of this discussion, we must affirm that God views both men and women equally created in his image (Gen 1:27). However, the Bible does speak against women holding certain positions within the church. So, what are we to do? To begin, I think we must look at the passages that directly relate to the subject.

1. 1 Timothy 2:11-14 (New International Version) 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.
2. 1 Corinthians 14:33-36 (New International Version)33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
   As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached
3. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (New International Version)1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,^[a] he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
4. Titus 1:5-9 (New International Version) 5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint^[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer^[b] is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

After a careful reading of the scripture, there seems to be no room to navigate around this subject. However, many contemporary authors/pastors/theologians have begun to pull the “culture card” and suggest that this was only relevant for Paul and the current situations that surrounded his congregations.

Objections against excluding women out of eldership:

(a) This was a specific situation where women were teaching heretical doctrines.

(b) Women were not well educated in the first century and not qualified to teach

(c) Paul had a low view of women that is not relevant in today’s society.

Answers to objections:

(a1) Even though historians may claim there were women spreading heretical doctrines throughout the church, Paul never states that women were actually teaching false doctrines and in the quest for biblical theology we want to stick with exegesis and not eisigesis.

(b1) It is a common fact that the majority of women were not well educated during the first century; however, Paul never gives lack of education as a reason for not being able to hold an office in a church. Furthermore, the majority of Paul’s audiences were somewhat under-educated.

(c1) If one thinks that Paul does not think highly of women, they must read the Bible with wider eyes. Paul did think highly of a few women but still prohibited them to be elder/pastor. For example, Priscilla was a convert in the church of Ephesus who was well educated and very prominent in her church. (for the story refer to 1 Tim. 1:3;Acts 18-19, 21; 2 Tim. 4:19). Priscilla even instructed Apollos in her ministry but she was prohibited to hold an eldership in light of what Paul taught.
A few final Thoughts:

Just looking at these texts, we observe that Paul never appealed to the current situations or problems; rather, he referred to the beginning of time, “13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.” I believe that because Paul explicitly referred to the foundation of the world, we cannot assume he only spoke about a particular culture in a particular context , rather, he was showing a timeless principle that must be adhered to by the entire Church (Church= all believers past, present, future).

In conclusion, “The reason [for omission of women in eldership positions] was not lack of education, but the order of creation which God established between men and women” (Grudem, 939).

P.S. For a more detailed response check out Matt Slick’s Website www.carm.org

This is not complete in scope, so if you have any questions, please comment and I will respond.

Women In Leadership

Many churches don’t consider women for positions of leadership within the church including being able to teach to others especially men. According to the scripture…