Cheryl Schatz

Jeremy, it is my desire that all feel welcome here, even if they do not agree with me.

You said:

1. Not every gift is supposed to be used publicly in church. The 1 Peter passage you site does not say that all gifts should be used publicly. If I am gifted by God to run well, does that mean I should run publicly in church?

The Bible clearly says that spiritual gifts are for the benefit of the church. In 1 Cor. 14:1 commands believers to earnestly desire spiritual gifts especially the gift of prophesy and verse 4 shows that the gift that all may desire is meant to edify the church. Edification of the church is the purpose of our spiritual gifts. 1 Cor. 14:5 gives a second witness that our spiritual gifts are to bring edification to the church. Paul commands that we are to seek to abound in spiritual gifts for the edification of the church. Just as in 1 Peter 4:10, 11, the speaking gifts which are key spiritual gifts are for the church and what God has designed for the common good is not to be withheld by anyone from edifying the church.

You said:

Women might have gifts to speak well and understand God’s Word, and these gifts can be used to edify the body of Christ, but not in the public arena of a church service where authority is assumed. It is not withholding anyone’s gift from being used to serve the body, just in certain arenas.

This is not the case. Paul talks about all speaking in the public gathering of the whole church assembling together in 1 Cor. 14:23. The authority to speak resides with the Scripture that commands us to desire the gifts and then gives us the authority to use these speaking gifts as one who speaks forth the oracles of God. (1 Peter 4:10, 11)

This is prohibited by Scripture in 1 Corinthians 14, 1 Timothy 2-3, and elsewhere.

This is not so. Paul specifically gives permission for all to speak in the public assembly and he withholds permission from no one who has the gift of prophesy to be used for the common good.

You said:

2. I read the article from CARM where you quote the author, and you do misuse his idea of gift. In that same article he clearly states, “it is not possible for a woman to possess every spiritual gift that a man possesses. A woman cannot be a father. Furthermore, the spiritual gift of being an elder/pastor is something only the male is called to per divine revelation.” So they do not believe a woman can have the spiritual gift of being a pastor…he was only saying that women are gifted (i.e. talented).

You have misread. I never claimed that CARM believes that women can have the spiritual gift of being a pastor. I did say that CARM claimed that there are some women who can be more gifted than many men at preaching and teaching. Here is the exact quote from CARM.

There are many gifted women who might very well do a better job at preaching and teaching than many men. However, it isn’t gifting that is the issue, but God’s order and calling.

The founder believes that these women may preach and teach to women and he does believe that teaching is a spiritual gift that God gives women. He just doesn’t believe that women may use that gift in an authoritative way as a pastor.

1 Peter 4:11 is clear that “whoever” speaks forth should do so with the strength that God gives as they speak forth the utterances of God. No indication is given that part of the body of Christ are exempt from receiving God’s gifts just because the utterance is given through a woman. Speaking forth the utterances of God is the authority to use God’s special gifts and the motivation is always to be for the service of the body through being proper stewards of God’s grace given to all.