Greetings to all on 15 MAY 2006

Word for the Day

Antiquarianism - The study of matters relating to the life and culture of ancient times. [1]

Quote for the Day

The canon then is not a settled truth. It is an ongoing conversation in which the ongoingness is an epistemological decision about the character of truth. The hope is to keep the conversation going without excluding any voice or giving any voice veto. The conversation must be attentive to the role, function, gift, power, and claim of different voices. [2]

Website for the Day

http://www.freedominchrist.net/ This site is run by Dallas Burdette; check out the good articles. Read the excellent (and brief) article by him about Worship at http://gcm.faithsite.com/printcontent.asp?CID=17617

Thought for the Day

Last month we took a whirlwind tour of the NT references to women and realized the important role they played in those seminal years. When the cultural restrictions imposed on the women of the first century are contrasted with the relative freedom that Jesus offered and allowed; we see a striking departure from the norm of that day. Now, the first century world was not ready for some changes. There were no women among the Twelve. Paul does not condemn slavery although we can now look back and see that slavery was wrong. [PHI 0.8-20] But even then he was laying the groundwork for equality. Some change would have to wait almost 2000 years and some changes still lie in waiting.

What about the “clear” teachings that women should be silent? This forum does not provide the space or time for any more than a cursory look at the passages in 1COR 14.34 and 1TIM 2.8-15. Briefly, 1 Corinthians probably refers to women commenting on the interpretations of the speakers. The Greek word sigao (keep silent) is used in both v.30 and v.34 giving an equal command to both men and women regarding prophecy etiquette. The following verses may have targeted women because of some problems unique to that time and place. Note that the restriction is not placed in chapter 11 where Paul sets forth some cultural guidelines for the women who prayed and prophesied in the general assembly. [3]

In 1TIM 2.12 we again find the injunction that women should keep silent. In the preceeding verses Paul also told Timothy that men should lift holy hands in prayer and that the women should not braid their hair or wear gold or pearls or costly attire. Did that mean it was all right for the men to “dress to the nines,” just not the women? Do we not all wear gold rings and costly attire? We easily dismiss these words as being sensitive to the culture of that day. In verse 12 Paul uses the Greek word hesuchia (quiet, quiet fashion) which is translated as being quiet natured or still and is not as strong as the “silence” command found in 1 Corinthians.

Timothy was almost certainly in Ephesus at this time. This was the home of the temple of Diana, the most famous female-only cult. The job fell to Timothy to instruct the women to dress and act in such a way that Christianity was not seen as a form of Diana worship while, at the same time, allowing them to “develop whatever gifts of learning, teaching and leadership God is giving them.” [4] Consider this translation by N. T. Wright: “So this is what I want: the men should pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, with no anger or disputing. In the same way the women, too, should clothe themselves in an appropriate manner, modestly and sensibly. They should not go in for elaborate hair-styles, or gold, or pearls, or expensive clothes; instead, as is appropriate for women who profess to be godly, they should adorn themselves with good works. They must be allowed to study undisturbed, in full submission to God. I’m not saying that women should teach men, or try to dictate to them; they should be left undisturbed. Adam was created first, you see, and then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived, and fell into trespass. She will, however, be kept safe through the process of childbirth, if she continues in faith, love and holiness with prudence.” [5]

You have heard it taught that the dress, etc. is cultural but the silence part is not because Paul appeals to an eternal truth reaching all the way back to the Garden. Look at Romans 5.12-21 and read where Paul traces the origin of sin back to Adam - not Eve. Are women really saved through child-birth? [v.15] If this is not literally true, what does it mean? We believe that Paul is addressing a unique situation with Timothy in Ephesus. Compare with chapter 5.14-15 where he says the younger widows are to marry. The Diana cult taught that the women should not marry or have children and, in fact, should dominate the men. Recall that in 1COR 7 Paul said that it was better not to marry because of the impending persecution. Different commands for different times and circumstances.

Our fellowship is not alone in wrestling with these and many other long-held beliefs and practices. Most every church is dealing with questions of interpretation. We just happen to be living at one of those rare times in history similar to what Luther and Campbell experienced. How exciting, rejuvenating and, yet, troubling! Steve Weathers gives the illustration of Robinson Crusoe who longed for human companionship but was struck with fear when he saw the footprints on the beach. His confined and safe world was revealed to be changing rather than fixed. What he thought were firm boundaries were actually porous frontiers to be explored.[6] We are called to continually explore the word and risk failure as we apply it to our lives and our culture. Walter Brueggemann puts it this way, “The canonical literature is the water in which the ship of interpretation must sail, ‘never dropping anchor’.”[7]

Peter writes, “...you will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” [2PET 1.17-21] A new day dawns for each generation because scholarship is never finalized. The revealed word was given “once for all,” but the interpretation and application is an ongoing and ever changing process. Imagine how excited Martin Luther and Alexander Campbell must have felt when it first dawned on them that the time was ripe for improvement - change - reform. And they were right for their day, but were Luther’s convictions the last say? Were Campbell’s teachings the final iteration of the truth? No! And neither will ours be.

May God Bless

Mike Toole

clw, ed.

1. Carroll Osburn, Women In The Church, ACU Press, Abilene TX, 2001, p.xv

2. Walter Brueggemann, Interpretation and Obedience, Fortress Press, Minneapolis MN, 1991, p.132

3. Russ Bartee, A Position Paper on the Role of Woman in the Church, Class presentation at Alta Mesa Church of Christ, Ft. Worth TX, August 2003, p.3

4. N.T. Wright, Woman Service in the Church: The Biblical Basis, paper delivered at Symposium - Women and the Church, St. Johns College, Durham England, September 4, 2004

5. ibid.

6. Steve Weathers, “The Surpassing Righteousness of the Kingdom of God,” 85th Annual ACU Lectureship, 2003

7. Brueggemann, op. cit. p.132