Terri

I believe that the Vicar was trying to be gracious (as much as his traditional belief would allow)  but instead sounded condescending at times.  Much that is said of women is said quite matter-of-factly.  Many teachers are aware that female abuse was a staple of Pauls day (as history records) but few dare to to ask hard questions or even pronounce that such abuse was wrong.

If I remember correctly the Vicar quotes Wayne Grudem.  I can’t remember exactly the quote but he stated something to the effect of New Testament prophecy being a mixture of truth with error.  Therefore, he makes prophecy (the one spiritual gift that you see women excercising often in scripture)  to be non-authoritive (scripture only).   Wayne Grudem believes that NT prophecy does not count, but where does it say in the Bible that it has been done away with and has little or no value for today?

I think the undermining and elimination of prophecy  is a strategic move, and is one way that patriarchalist have found that could possibly (if they twist enough) totally silence and exclude women permanantly.  Of course, the elimiation of prophecy from the churches does not affect men to the same degree.  They will still continue to maintain all the authority and oversight (as the expulsion of prophecy from the church does not challenge the male hierarchy).

I’m