Women in ministry

I received much of this teaching from Jonathan Welton, who I trust and agree with. I hope I have explained it as well as he did.

1 Corinthians 11:5 NLT “But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or PROPHESIES without a COVERING on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head.” (My emphases.)

1 Corinthians 14:34 “Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says.”

Don’t those verses sound like a contradiction? It’s okay for women to prophesy in the first verse, but that she can’t speak in church in the second verse? That’s because they’re not instructional verses, they’re quotations of a letter written to Paul.

863DFC46-0AAB-41BE-A077-343D9A118CD1

The book of 1st Corinthians is a response to a letter the Corinthians wrote to Paul. In 7:1 it says, “Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter…” and then, he’s answering their letter, which pertains to their culture in the first century. He writes, alternating between quotes and instruction. Unfortunately, most English translations have lost the indication of when he is quoting; which leads to misinterpretation. In the Greek, there are 42 quotes that are bracketed in the 2 books of Corinth, by a grave accent, that are Not in quotations or brackets in the English translations.

In the Greek, it indicates that what he is about to say is a quote from their letter, not his instructions. In 11:5 he mentions covering their heads; which was to set themselves apart from the temple prostitutes. The prostitutes would wear heavy makeup, jewelry, and adorn their hair in braids and jewelry. The prostitutes prophesied falsely and mixed in sexuality with witchcraft. So in that culture, the women put a covering over their heads to keep down the confusion. Chapter 12 talks about the spiritual gifts and 13 is the love chapter. In Chapter 14 he instructs until he gets to verse 34 and in the Greek there is a strong quotation before 34 and after 35 indicating that what he is saying in 34 & 35 is a quotation from the Corinth letter. If you read from vs 33 & skip to vs 36, it says, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people… Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given? If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.” So he is rebuking them for thinking they know the only way to conduct the church and service and restricting women to speak.

Now read Romans 16, also written by Paul, where he praises his co-workers. The word of God does not contradict itself. Please understand what I’m sharing and take it to heart, with an open spirit. Don’t let religiosity get in the way of realization. Some of Jesus’ most ardent followers were women. Some of the ministers in his time were women, why would it be different today and why would he say he makes no difference between men and women as there is also no division in race? Jesus’ death, burial, & resurrection took us back to God’s original purpose which was to be equal as man and woman.

Genesis 1:27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Galatians 3:26-28 NLT
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

HOME!!

About 10 months ago, I shared a story about a young man who was deployed.

It was so difficult to leave. T. said “Daddy, I don’t want you to go.”
This is the story of his return:

(To see the photos in a larger format click on each photo. Use your browser’s arrow back to return to this page.)

We made our way to my daughter’s house to be with her the last couple of days of this long journey her family has been on.
We anticipated an arrival early on Saturday morning around six am. Then the calls came in that their arrival had been moved up – Twice! The approximate time would be around two am. We put two Very Excited boys to bed knowing that Daddy would be home in the morning. We didn’t expect to wake them up in just a few hours. Around one am, we put jackets and pants over their pajamas and each carried a very sleepy boy to the car. The youngest one didn’t quite understand when I said we were going to pick up Daddy & insisted on having his Daddy pillow. (A ‘Daddy pillow’ has a photo of ‘Daddy’ in the center.) We made our way to the base. The photos will tell the story.

Tie a yellow ribbon…

Two sleepy boys…


Well, one was hungry! When someone wakes you up at 1:30 am, you Have to have a snack!

Or, some chill time watching ‘Sponge Bob!’

Time on the couch might help… Everyone!

Or, letting your brother make you a miniature Uncle Sam…

J grabbed his ‘Daddy pillow’ to snuggle with which he has loved during Daddy’s ten month absence.

Typical military routine is to hurry up, get on your shoes…

and Wait! … We just heard he was on base, but this is a 154,000 acre base!

A spouse left behind is very patriotic.

I see a tear… Who says “Marines don’t cry?!”

The pure Bliss is seen on his face as he hugs her.

They were all so excited and taking their turns in the arms of the man they love and call ‘husband and daddy.’

   

A family reunited is Joyous!

(The boys were looking at the sign Mommy made while they were sleeping.)

“Daddy you are so Tall! I am Two now!”

“Welcome Home, Proud and Hero” hardly covers the plethora of emotions to see Jeremiah Home again!

I would give up a night’s sleep any time!!

And we Thank God for bringing him home safely!

“Praise the LORD! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The LORD gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king. Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever.” — Psalm 28:6-9 NLT

And here is a link to the first story: The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need.

(This Hero happens to be my “son-in-love.”)