There has been a lot of discussion (from a Christian perspective) regarding Gov. Sarah Palin and her leadership role. Here's what I've heard thus far.
1) There is nothing unBiblical for a woman to lead in any capacity. Within the church, in the realm of government or business or any other arena. In the home, where there is a husband and wife, the husband is head of the home/family.
2) Within the confines of the church and the home a woman is not to lead. (They back this with Scripture) However, within the realm of government or business there is nothing unBiblical regarding a woman in leadership. They usually cite Deborah (as Judge), Queen Esther - and possibly Lydia and Pricilla as business women.
3) Citing Scripture, they argue that God has fore-ordained a role for women to be "keepers of the home." This is not a degradation of women but a place of honor and necessity. A man's place is to rule in government, the church and family. A woman is to compliment the man in his roles. They cite many Scriptures.
Ok - with regard to my opinion - I'm stuck. All of the above views come from sincere believers, most backed by Scripture. I feel caught between all of the views. So I was praying today asking God to give me clarification. (I am a college grad, stay at home mom) So I thought - the best source to get a clear idea of what is Biblical and Cultural (in a Biblical context) is to go to my Messianic Jewish brothers and sisters and see what the role of women is in their culture. What is seen as acceptable?
Can anyone give me some feedback with some thoughts to chew on? Thank you!
My thoughts are for you to ask God for wisdom and look at all of those scriptures and see where you might be reading into them. Ask God to open your eyes up to just what He wants to say. I find it interesting that all of those three points of view agree that the woman is not to lead in the home.
At one hand I think Christianity became more conservative and has more Dogma's...
In Judaism often there is space for women but mainly written as exceptions...
So I don't know... Do you think that Israel was less religious under Golda Meir? I think most rabbi's still spoke to her. The most strickt orthodox might be against the state anyway, so you can't judge them in this gender-question...
Well I think that the Messiah and the High-priest will not be female, nor that there will be a Jewish Queen...
but Judge why not. I don't think God himself never gave clear answers about a state... Kings was allready a workarround. Then people wanted a state in the times that God didn't give clear instructions...
A King or Queen used to have also more power than the head of state, like a president.
Well the States is not my country, and I can't judge for Christians what to do. So good luck
Thank you both for your interest and response. To ThomasDGW: your admonition to check to see what I might be "reading into" the passage is worth considering. I know that at times we do this - interjecting our 20-21st mindset into Scripture. Now it's obviously ok to take Scripture that was written thousands of years ago and ask - how can I apply this to my life today? Truth is truth, no matter what century. My fear I guess was am I putting what I "want" to hear over the simple truth of the Scripture?
And Yetzirah231 - you are right about Judges etc... Actually God didn't want to do away with the Judgeship, but the people insisted on a king and God in His wisdom gave them their desire. I know that God did not appoint judges without His wisdom. Deborah was not a mistake or a "Well, since we can't get anyone else..." She was used by God and for God.
It's hard to use our own histories as examples. Some people used Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth as examples. I don't know maybe we can use our own histories because doesn't God say in Scripture that He is involved in who are the leaders of countries?
Thank you all for your imput - and those who have yet posted. I teach an adult class on Wed. night and told them I posted here. They await to hear what our Jewish brothers and sisters think - and also differing opinions from everyone.
Please don't forget about Esther. She was put into queenship even though that meant very little in terms of power. But she used every ounce of wisdom and influence she had to change what was going on. Behind the scenes, God was troubling the King who went back and read the books, if you recall. So God used all these things to make a way of escape for the Jewish people at that time. Remember the phrase "for such a time as this"?
Who had ever heard of Sarah Palin before a couple of weeks ago? Deep in my heart, I have a raging hope that she is here for such a time as this.
I can't imagine that there would be any problem with it form a couple of perspectives.
No matter what side of the aisle you fall under in the women in leadership role debate, Palin will be the VP, not President, if McCain wins. In that aspect, she will be the helper to McCain, which was Eve's original role.
Secondly, if McCain gets sick or is unable to be President and Palin takes over, I still don't see a problem with it. Deborah was a leader of Israel at one point also, and she was given authority over General Barak. Of course, I knwo that the preferred status for some folks (including myself) is that the leadership role should be held by a man, but if there are none qualified, then I have no issues with women stepping into that role.
Play on words: Deborah was in charge of 'General (ahem) Barak?' That is awfully close to: 'Obama' isn't it? Ha! (that just jumped out at me)
In Messiah, Shalom. Arley
Here are excerpts from Brit Chadashah regarding women and leadership:
34 Let your[d] women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. [e]
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
I would think that, like Esther and Priscilla, a woman can lead or be in a leadership position or capacity if a man such as her elder or husband, or God, calls or gives her permission.
There has been a lot of discussion (from a Christian perspective) regarding Gov. Sarah Palin and her leadership role. Here's what I've heard thus far...
Can anyone give me some feedback with some thoughts to chew on? Thank you!
First, I am not a Jew. (But I am a woman...and not a "feminist" in the Left's definition of the word.)
Second, the women leaders that came to my mind were: Deborah, Esther, Golda, Catherine the Great, Elizabeth I, Victoria, and even Margaret Thatcher.
Third, I would even vote for Palin for Prez if she were running by herself. (I am really more closely aligned with her views than McCain's.)
Fourth, no matter what happens re: upcoming elections, God is still on the throne. (But I am doing all I can to get conservatives elected.-LOL-)
narnianut: There is nothing unBiblical for a woman to lead in any capacity. Within the church...
Faith: Church - Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 1 Corinthians 14:33-35
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 1 Timothy 2:11-13
Faith: Business ...in... government or business...
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18
This princple seems to apply here in that 'help meet' is shown.
narnianut: "A man's place is to rule in government, the church and family. A woman is to compliment the man in his roles. They cite many Scriptures.
Faith: Exactly. See above scriptures.
narnianut: In the home, where there is a husband and wife, the husband is head of the home/family.
...within the realm of government or business there is nothing unBiblical regarding a woman in leadership. They usually cite Deborah (as Judge), Queen Esther - and possibly Lydia and Pricilla as business women.
Faith: Home - Clearly Palin's husband solidly supports her work, therefore, given the support of her husband she is honoring scripture as her husband's approval and support imputes the authority of his blessing. If he did not approve or support her work outside of the home the case would be different. (continued)