ccanuck

Cheryl,

I do see your point and 1 Cor 14 26-40 is one section I have studied in great depth, I am in a charismatic church and error often creeps in.

Yes this deal with the idea that there is an order to worship. That there are limits and guidelines to be followed.

Paul wasn’t saying that if someone has a different view they shouldn’t be recognized, he was saying that if someone wants to be a prophet or speak in tongues they need to acknowledge what he just wrote and follow the rules. (Sorry but I have to go here) but it would include verse 33-34:

33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

There are many areas to serve God, many places that need focus and leadership.

To me it always comes back to the idea from the garden. God said they could eat from any tree in the garden and there were many trees, but there was one tree that had a limit. Why is that one tree the one that is desired?

I know that probably will aggravate some reading this, but this is my view of things. I don’t think a study of the Greek will help on this issue, it always comes down to the heart. Many men with evil intent have taken what was a beautiful balance and corrupted it, they have taken the responsibility given to them and abused it, they will answer for this.

Teknomom,

I am sure the situations you are describing are terrible, they sound like failings of men. Typically this comes when men disregard scripture and only look at what they want. They ignore the verses that tell them they are to love thier wives. Brutal, and unless they repent they will not be held blameless.

I read your post differently. I saw you saying that there were women who wanted to go on mission’s trips and that men killed them to stop them from spreading the gospel.

I agree it would be equally as wrong for a woman to meet a man privately, so wouldn’t this be a limit?

To Dusman,

If there is no heirarchy then who makes decisions? Who decides what the church has as a faith statement, or what time they will meet?

There does need to be someone in charge, certainly many churches have organized in a variety of fashions, some with a Pope (RC) others in a type of democracy (SBC). However they all have people in charge.

to Don:

I totally agree with what you have said. I would add though that God also gives those gifts and then put boundaries on how and where they are to be used. For example, the teachings on prophecy and tongues in 1 Corinthians.

For Teknomom:

Do you have an example of Christian males killing Christian females for preaching? Wow, I am betting that they weren’t really Christians….

On another note:
There must be some sort of limit to where the spirit leads to teach. Certainly I can’t just go wherever I please and teach whomever I want. I am a married man, I shouldn’t be going into the home of a young single female alone to teach her. There isn’t a specific verse that outlines this but it is a principle I would build up from scripture.

I don’t think you can say that you should as you put it “be free to go where the Spirit leads”. My flesh would like to go teach that young lady in private but Jesus’ clear teaching on adultery of the heart would tell me otherwise.

I have listened to the podcast and read through (briefly, wow!) the comments on this site. I will try not to offend…but I usually fail 😉

I think you all could argue the original meaning until Jesus comes back (and you probably will). I personally agree with Matt’s look at scripture, but I don’t hold those who disagree with less regard.

The big question I have is why would you want to teach? I am a man and I do not want this authority (and I am full on type A personality). When it comes to church I am perfectly happy studying scripture, teaching my family, serving in my church, and worshiping God (not in that order necessarily, but they were the thought order). Why would you want to teach? Why are you arguing so much to take the office of Elder/Pastor? Why don’t you take this energy and fight issues that keep people out of heaven?