Cheryl Schatz

Sorry that I didn’t get to the last two comments in a timely manner and they sat in my “pending” box while I was out of the country.

Steph Chen #43,

The view that you take I would think is not uncommon these days with more and more comps moving towards the center.

There are some issues that I would like to point out that you may want to consider. First of all taking “authority over others” was a common practice during Bible times and Jesus warned against taking such an authoritative stance by saying:

NET | ?Mt 20:25 But Jesus called them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. ?26 It must not be this way among you! Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,

The worldly way is for a man to take authority over others but the way of the Master is to put oneself underneath those that he/she serves so that the person becomes a servant who is there not to take authority, but to serve. Those who serve in this way and understand that leaders are not ones who take authority, but ones who humble themselves to serve, will not not be fighting for authority that was never given to individuals to take over others.

I also believe that Eve was accountable for her sin, but mercy was granted to her because she sinned through being deceived without Adam helping her to see the deception during her time of need. The one who sinned with his eyes fully opened to the truth before he ate, is the one who is charged with treason (Hosea 6:7)

Are only a few to take the responsibility of protecting the flock? I think that 1 Timothy 3 shows that the desire to be an overseer is a good desire for any one to attain to, but one who oversees the flock is held accountable to God for his/her work. It is not a position of “glory” but a position of servanthood. I believe that those who want to give their lives for the flock to serve and protect and help the flock should be appreciated. And none of these should ever take the attitude that they are set up to have the sheep serve them or that they have power over another Christian. The only one who has authority over all Christians is Jesus.

The Bible also says that Adam’s sin brought a curse on the earth, but no such curse is said to be upon the woman or because of her sin. I believe that we read way too many things into the Genesis account that are part of our tradition rather than part of the text itself.

For more information, I would refer to my DVD set called “Women in Ministry Silenced or Set Free?” It has helped a lot of people to see where the dividing line between tradition and Scripture exists and how to walk in freedom from unhealthy tradition.

I hope this helps!