{"id":3936,"date":"2018-09-22T18:49:23","date_gmt":"2018-09-22T09:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/crossroads-church.jp\/?p=3936"},"modified":"2018-09-29T18:56:12","modified_gmt":"2018-09-29T09:56:12","slug":"2018-09-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossroads-church.jp\/?p=3936","title":{"rendered":"1\u30c6\u30e2\u30c62:8-15 \u300eMen and Women at Church\u300f 2018\/09\/22 David Hawley"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1140\" height=\"642\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AlNNiPvWlZI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=ja&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><br \/>\nPassage 1 Timothy 2:8-15<br \/>\nOther passages Galatians 3:28<br \/>\nBackground<br \/>\nSynopsis of the passage Men, pray, without dissension<br \/>\nWomen, do good works, without ostentation<br \/>\nWords and Works are complementary<br \/>\nInstructions to and about women regarding teaching and authority<br \/>\nMessage Outline Instructions to Men, and instructions to Women<br \/>\nThe ministry of Words and ministry of Works are complementary<br \/>\nWomen and teaching\/authority<br \/>\n\u25cf two basic approaches<br \/>\n\u25cf Pertinent background<br \/>\n\u25cf non-traditional reading<br \/>\n\u25cf Thoughts<br \/>\nApplication Challenge for M&amp;F to do their part in Word and Work ministries<br \/>\nTitle Men and Women at Church<\/p>\n<p>1 Tim 2:8 Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. 9 Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, 10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. 11 A woman is to learn quietly with full submission. 12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. 15 But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense.<\/p>\n<p>1. Introduction<br \/>\n\u25cf This is the fourth in our series on the 1st letter to Timothy, which Paul wrote to guide his youngish disciple Timothy in fixing major issues in the church at Ephesus.<br \/>\n\u25cf Paul states that his letter is to teach us how we should do church<br \/>\n\u25cb It applies not only to church leaders, but all members of the body of Christ.<br \/>\nBecause the church is something that we do together.<br \/>\n\u25cf Previously we had learned<br \/>\n\u25cb That the gospel is the core message we should be teaching, and that the goal of teaching should be useless information, but sincere faith, a pure heart, good behavior, and love<br \/>\n\u25cb There is a Law for Christians, but it is not the Law of Moses, it is the Law of Christ, and it is meant to change us from the inside out.<br \/>\n\u25cb That our life is a fight, and its weapons are spiritual, especially prayer. We should pray as a church for Japan and its leaders, for our neighbourhood, and for the health and work of the church &#8211; in particular evangelism.<br \/>\n\u25cf In today\u2019s passage,<br \/>\n\u25cb Paul completes his general instructions for the church before he gets into specific issues.<br \/>\n\u25cb This includes instructions for each gender, men and women.<br \/>\n\u25cb And we will touch a little on a controversial topic, the role of women in the church<br \/>\n\u25cf So let\u2019s get into the passage.<\/p>\n<p>2. Godly manhood<br \/>\n\u25cf v8 Paul tells men to pray. This is a continuation of the previous verses, which says the church should pray together for the environment of the church, the health of the church, and the work of the church.<br \/>\n\u25cf And he adds that this should be done without anger or dispute.<br \/>\n\u25cf Now you might remember from the 1st message on this series from chapter one:<br \/>\n\u25cb Bad teachers had been teaching false or useless things, which led to endless controversies with no resolution<br \/>\n\u25cb And thereby losing the focus on the goal of love, which is served by sincere faith, a focused heart and acting according to conscience.<br \/>\n\u25cf So, there were arguments and there was anger.<br \/>\n\u25cf This is typical male bad behavior.<br \/>\n\u25cb Men are especially competitive.<br \/>\n\u25a0 Men especially seek admiration by accomplishing things, in competition with other people.<br \/>\n\u25cf It could be physical fights, or arguments, or business success, etc.<br \/>\n\u25a0 Men compete, and we tend to seek power<br \/>\n\u25a0 The rewards for success include status and access to resources<br \/>\n\u25a0 Women tend to choose men who excel and who can provide for them and their children.<br \/>\n\u25a0 The roots of this are biological and deep.<br \/>\n\u25cb Men, more than women, are also especially prone to overrate themselves<br \/>\n\u25a0 So we think we can win, and we will compete even if we will likely lose.<br \/>\n\u25a0 So we can fight even when we there is no benefit<br \/>\n\u25cb Or if we are losing, we may just withdraw to avoid shameful loss of status and feelings of failure<br \/>\n\u25cb Unless these issues are addressed, they can cause unnecessary friction, disengagement, etc.<br \/>\n\u25cf And Paul is saying here to men:<br \/>\n\u25cb There is important work to do, so concentrate on doing it.<br \/>\n\u25a0 Instead of fighting, do what I have urged, and pray.<br \/>\n\u25cf Jesus told us \u2018if we agree in prayer, God will answer\u2019 (Matt 18:19)<br \/>\n\u25a0 When we pray, esp. corporately, what do we pray for?<br \/>\n\u25cf We pray for others, not for ourselves. Prayer is other-focused.<br \/>\n\u25cf And as we saw last time, other-focused doesn\u2019t simply mean for others in the church, but for our families, for our countries and leaders, and all people.<br \/>\n\u25a0 In praying, we are recognizing that<br \/>\n\u25cf God\u2019s action is critical<br \/>\n\u25cf God has the highest status, and should get the glory<br \/>\n\u25cb This is not competition.<br \/>\n\u25cb Further, your prayers should be with holy hands<br \/>\n\u25a0 Your hands too, i.e. your actions, must be holy, that is dedicated to God.<br \/>\n\u25a0 So when you offer up prayers, your life should be godly as well.<br \/>\n\u25cf E.g. Jesus said, if you have problems with a brother, you should resolve that conflict before you offer your worship. (Matt 5:23)<br \/>\n\u25cf So, Men are called to use our masculine drives properly<br \/>\n\u25cb master our emotions and competitive instincts<br \/>\n\u25cb serve the church, and in particular by leading prayer<br \/>\n3. Godly womanhood<br \/>\n\u25cf Paul also has instructions specifically for women.<br \/>\n\u25cf v9 Women are to dress modestly and decently, not showily.<br \/>\n\u25cf There are a couple of things going on with female adornment:<br \/>\n\u25cb More than men, women get status and power from being beautiful.<br \/>\n\u25cb This links to self-confidence on one hand, and envy on the other.<br \/>\n\u25cb Not unlike today, in the Roman empire, women took great care with their appearance<br \/>\n\u25a0 wore makeup,<br \/>\n\u25a0 dyed (blond was popular), and elaborately styled their hair, and often wore wigs<br \/>\n\u25a0 wealthy women wore jewels as earrings, necklaces, or sewn into their clothes.<br \/>\n\u25cb OTOH, display of wealth is a typical way to express yourself when you are barred from power and social status<br \/>\n\u25a0 Women could not hold political office. But they could own businesses. And of course they may belong to a rich family.<br \/>\n\u25a0 The general human tendency if you have money but not power and status, is to show off your wealth by extravagant display.<br \/>\n\u25a0 At times, the Romans passed laws (Sumptuary Laws) against extravagance, the first being against women, and the ones that followed against people in general. I think the same thing happened in Japan, as well as other places in the world.<br \/>\n\u25a0 These are basically ways to control society and privilege, and keep everyone in their place without arousing envy.<br \/>\n\u25cb But regardless of these details, there is a point here about values<br \/>\n\u25a0 Do we want to cause envy and shame by drawing attention to ourselves?<br \/>\n\u25a0 Or do we want instead to serve others?<br \/>\n\u25cf So, Paul says to women:<br \/>\n\u25cb Rather than make yourself attractive with fancy hairdos and jewellery and clothes<br \/>\n\u25cb Make yourself beautiful by your good deeds.<br \/>\nAnd this is the appropriate way to act if you worship God.<br \/>\n\u25cf And this is clearly a strength of women.<br \/>\n\u25cb It is usually women who are more sensitive to people\u2019s needs, and who reach out in compassion.<br \/>\n\u25cb It is more typically women who tend to people\u2019s physical and emotional needs<br \/>\n\u25cb The church needs women to use their gifts of compassion and service.<\/p>\n<p>4. Ear and Eye, Word and Works<br \/>\n\u25cf So we notice two types of ministry here:<br \/>\n\u25cb Ministry of Word: teaching and prayer<br \/>\n\u25a0 Not for strife-making,<br \/>\n\u25a0 Elicit and nurture faith and love<br \/>\n\u25cb Ministry of Works<br \/>\n\u25a0 Not to draw attention to personal beauty or wealth<br \/>\n\u25a0 But to make the truth visible and appealing<br \/>\n\u25cf So let\u2019s call this dual focus \u2018Word and Works\u2019 or if you like \u2018Ear and Eye\u2019<br \/>\n\u25cb Both of these are acts of worship<br \/>\n\u25cf These two work together.<br \/>\n\u25cb But that is a topic for another occasion, when we have more time.<br \/>\n\u25cb I just want to say that the Romans were very struck by the kind works of Christians towards non-Christians as well as towards themselves..<br \/>\n\u25cf And let\u2019s just remember the example of Jesus<br \/>\n\u25cb With Words he called people to enter the Kingdom<br \/>\n\u25cb With His Works of healing, providing for needs, and ultimately in the cross, he made the kingdom visible and showed its loveliness<br \/>\n\u25cf Word and Works work together in many ways.<br \/>\n\u25cb We need both.<br \/>\n\u25cb We are commanded to do both.<\/p>\n<p>5. I Suffer Not a Woman<br \/>\n\u25cf Now we come to v11-15. Let me summarize Paul as saying:<br \/>\n\u25cb v11 When a woman is hearing the Word, she should be quiet and not dispute what is taught<br \/>\n\u25cb v12 A woman is not to teach, or have authority over any man<br \/>\n\u25cb v13-14 And this is based on Genesis, on the teaching on Creation and the Fall.<br \/>\n\u25cb v15 Unclear, various possible interpretations.<br \/>\n\u25cf v11-15 This section is very controversial. How do we make sense of it?<br \/>\n\u25cf So there is a big controversy in the church about this as a practical matter.<br \/>\n\u25cb Some denominations allow female pastors<br \/>\n\u25a0 I have visited two churches in Japan with women pastors, both were charismatic churches.<br \/>\n\u25a0 Equality of the sexes is interpreted as equality of access to roles including teaching and leadership.<br \/>\n\u25cb OTOH, many traditional churches do not allow women pastors<br \/>\n\u25a0 The idea is \u2018Complementarianism\u2019, that men and women are equal but have separate roles. Women are not allowed to be pastors or teach men, but they are encouraged to teach other women.<br \/>\n\u25cf There are two basic ways that people take this passage<br \/>\n\u25cb This is instruction only for that time, place and situation, and we can ignore it for today.<br \/>\n\u25cb This is valid since creation up to today. So today, women are not to have leadership in the church<br \/>\n\u25cf This is an important topic deserving more time, but let\u2019s spend a few minutes that we have now.<br \/>\n\u25cf Here are some things we should consider<br \/>\n\u25cb Women are full members of the body of Christ. This is what it means by \u2018there is no slave or free, male or female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus\u2019 (Gal 3:28). There are no second class citizens in the church.<br \/>\n\u25cb OTOH, there is a clear expectation that church leaders were expected to be men.<br \/>\n\u25a0 The 12 apostles were all men.<br \/>\n\u25a0 The first 7 deacons appointed were men.<br \/>\n\u25a0 Timothy is told to appoint faithful men, as overseers and deacons, and replace false teachers who were also men.<br \/>\n\u25cb There seem to be some possible exceptions, although that is not clear in the NT.<br \/>\n(OT examples are more clear.<br \/>\n\u25cf Now let\u2019s look at the situation at the time<br \/>\n\u25cb There were matriarchal religions, for example Cybele\/Gaia\/Rhea\/Demeter the Great Mother, that elevated women, and were associated with all kinds of wild behavior.<br \/>\n\u25cb Also some proto-gnostics said<br \/>\n\u25a0 Eve was created first, and Adam was created from her.<br \/>\n\u25a0 Sattan gave secret knowledge to Eve, which she gave to Adam. Satan was a good guy.<br \/>\n\u25a0 Because matter is evil, the creator God is evil<br \/>\n\u25a0 Having children is bad.<br \/>\n\u25cf So with this in mind, one interpretation is that:<br \/>\n\u25cb Paul is countering outside religious influences that were popular among women<br \/>\n\u25a0 Specifically, women claiming authority over men<br \/>\n\u25a0 Based on false teaching about the order of creation<br \/>\n\u25a0 And in particular, v15 is saying there is nothing wrong with having children.<br \/>\n\u25cb And so, this is a policy that Paul personally has for that time and situation<br \/>\n\u25cf There is more on this line in a popular book \u2018I Suffer not a woman\u2019 that makes this case:<br \/>\n\u25cb But some of the readings of scripture look to me to be clearly wrong, and some examples are disputable.<br \/>\n\u25cf I think what we can take away here is:<br \/>\n\u25cb We cannot simply take this as a universal rejection of women teaching or having leadership role over men and women.<br \/>\n\u25cb OTOH, we have nothing here that goes against the traditional understanding and practice that<br \/>\n\u25a0 there is a hierarchy rooted in the creation order<br \/>\n\u25a0 it is men who are typically expected to take leadership roles.<br \/>\n\u25a0 Even if they also are susceptible to teaching heresy!<br \/>\n\u25cb We should be careful when using scripture to not abuse it to make it fit our culture\u2019s agendas.<\/p>\n<p>6. Conclusion<br \/>\n\u25cf We are not to be conformed to our society, or to what may come naturally to us<br \/>\n\u25cf The church has a dual ministry, of the Word and of Works<br \/>\n\u25cb Through the Word, we offer up worship, we strive for the world and the church<br \/>\n\u25cb Through Works, we put form to and beautiful clothes on the Word<br \/>\n\u25cb These two ministries are complimentary<br \/>\n\u25cf We are called to reorient ourselves, to take our strengths and us them in a different way, for God\u2019s kingdom<br \/>\n\u25cb Men, without anger or dispute, are you praying and fighting for the kingdom?<br \/>\n\u25cb Women, are you decorating your lives with good works, and so worshipping God?<br \/>\nLet us pray.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Passage 1 Timothy 2:8-15 Other passages Galatians 3:28 Background Synopsis of the passage Men, pray, without d 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