Ten Stupid Arguments Against Women In Ministry

Apostle Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.D.Chancellor, Apostolic Universityhttp://apostolicuniversity.webs.com

© 2011 Apostle Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino. All rights reserved.

Why talk about women in ministry?

Women are a part of the church and we should understand what the Word teaches about their purpose and placement in the church

As a highly controversial issue, we must thoroughly examine the Scriptures to understand the issue better

Whether right or wrong, women in ministry need to have the ability to defend their call; it is not enough to ignore anyone who speaks against women in ministry

The issue has divided churches, families, denominations, and groups; and as a result, it is important to understand it in the eyes of the Word

Argument #1: Women and men are “separate,” but “equal”

Scriptural refute: Galatians 3:26-29 Reasons why this argument is stupid:

If God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), then this means God is not a respecter of genders

The Bible does not assign roles to the genders; the concept of assigning roles is patriarchal, not Biblical

The Bible tells us that we are all one in Him, and there is neither male nor female in Jesus Christ; if there is no male nor female in Christ, that means “separate but equal” does not exist in Christianity

Most do not question that “separate but equal” should not apply racially; it does not sound any more sound in sex assignment

Argument #2: God only used women when there were no men

Scriptural refute: John 20:11-18 Reasons why this argument is stupid:

God had no shortage of men at the time of the resurrection, and it was His choice and providence to entrust the most essential message of salvation to a woman

In the case of various women, such as Deborah (Judges 4-5), Junia (Romans 16:7), and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-26), and the women who contended with the Apostle Paul in the Gospel (Philippians 4:2-3), the case is clearly that there were no men around, nor no men in ministry, because we can see men listed along with the women in ministry work

God uses whoever He deems most capable to do the job He assigns, whether male or female

Argument #3: Jesus only wanted men Scriptural refute: Mark 15:40-Mark 16:8 Reasons why this argument is stupid:

Women are specifically mentioned as a part of Gospel accounts, as among His most devoted followers and as those who were among the first to know and experience Him in the resurrection

The Bible specifically speaks of a woman’s deed toward Jesus being told wherever the Gospel is preached, in memory of her – and no such words are spoken about any of His male disciples (Matthew 26:13, Mark 14:9)

The Bible does not state the Lord’s only interest was in male disciples or leaders; if we believe women can be disciples, women can also be leaders

Argument #4: A woman’s place is in the home Scriptural refute: Proverbs 31:10-31 Why this argument is stupid:

The words “A woman’s place is in the home” are not found anywhere in the Bible

The Bible is full of women who served the Lord and pursued the things of God, whether they had a family or not

The Proverbs 31 woman is spoken of as operating in business and being a working wife and mother; therefore, being a woman of virtue means being capable of handling life outside of the home as well as within the home

Argument #5: Women are to be “silent” in the church

Scriptural refute: 1 Corinthians 11:5 Why this argument is stupid:

1 Corinthians 14, which is often invoked as a justification against women in ministry, preaching, teaching, or in leadership, is a chapter on maintaining order and avoiding disorder in the church

Within the historical context, the Greek gives an injunction for women who are learning to remain silent in assembly during that process – but the injunction is conditional, not permanent

In 1 Corinthians 11, women are spoken of as praying and prophesying in church – indicating a position of leadership, prophecy, and instructing in prophetic matters

We must remember not to take any one passage of Scripture out of context, ignoring other passages that help us understand fuller and clearer

Argument #6: There are no women in leadership in the New Testament

Scriptural refute: Romans 16:7 Why this argument is stupid:

All people named who clearly held a pastoral office in the New Testament were women – not men (Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 1:11; Acts 16:14-15; Colossians 4:15)

There are numerous women named in leadership: apostles, prophets, pastors, and deacons, affirming women held positions of leadership in the New Testament

The Apostle Paul’s words, encouraging the church to accept or commend these women in numerous places (Romans 16:1, Philippians 4:2-3) shows the way God’s Kingdom shuts out cultural traditions based on prejudice and sexism

Argument #7: Women are not capable of leadership Scriptural refute: Micah 6:4 Why this argument is stupid:

The Bible affirms women as leaders in numerous places

Numerous studies affirm the value of women as leaders, both in the church and in the workplace, as having effective and invaluable qualities relevant to leadership

The gifts God gives to women as His leaders make His women effective communicators capable of bearing and publishing His news (Psalm 68:11)

His women in leadership are not isolated cases, but a great host (Psalm 68:11)

Argument #8: God’s gifts are given only to men

Scriptural refute: Acts 2:1-4, 17-21 Why this argument is stupid:

The Bible clearly states that His Spirit is poured out upon all flesh, and women are a part of the reception of those gifts

If the Spirit is to be poured out upon all flesh, as there is only one Spirit (Ephesians 4:4), women are called to operate in those gifts they have received, and walk in the fullness of them (charismatic and didomi) because there would be no point to receive the Spirit’s gifts if women were not to use them for God’s glory

God does not do things without purpose

Argument #9: God’s examples of women in leadership are negative

Scriptural refute: Judges 4-5 Why this argument is stupid:

Not every example of a Biblical woman in leadership is negative (i.e., Jezebel), such as in the examples of Deborah, Junia, Phoebe, Priscilla, the four daughters of Philip, Anna, Huldah, and others too numerous to list here

There are plenty of examples of negative male leadership within the Bible, but nobody uses this as an argument against men in leadership, such as the examples of Saul, Judas, Ahab, Pharaoh, Nadab, Abihu, and Ahaziah

The church itself is spoken of as feminine , not masculine – and it would not make sense for the church to be spoken of as an evil or negative gender if God genuinely felt that way

Argument #10: Women are universally subject to men

Scriptural refute: Jeremiah 31:22 Why this argument is stupid:

There is no Bible verse which states women are universally subject to men

Such an attitude is a perversion of the Word, seeking to implement a patriarchal world view (which places a man as the head of a household or clan) upon the church, causing confusion and disregard for women

In Christ, we are to be one (Ephesians 4:1-6), respecting and mutually submitting to one another (Ephesians 5:21) rather than seeking to control and dominate one another

Join us!To learn more about women in history, Christian women and their identity in Christ, women in ministry throughout history, and more, join Apostle Dr. Lee Ann Marino (Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries, Apostolic University) for Compass Training™ or History Makers™ Seminars and women in ministry preparation.

All seminars count toward degree credit through Apostolic University for enrolled students!

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