Women Teachers in School

[BornAgain]

Regarding Paul's words to Timothy, the context is the local church.

But in the New Testament also (outside the local church context) Timothy Himself was taught by Lois and Eunice.

In universities, for hundreds of years right back to the Middle Ages, there have been distinguished women who have been teachers; in Medieval Italy, for example, where what we know as modern universities started, there were learned women who taught medicine with distinction.

There are many great women teachers...I often taught bible school when my children were younger and summer Bible camps. But, I never taught any man as knowledgeable or more knowledgeable as me as that would be teaching with authority over a man.

The original OP was a question regarding 1 Tim 2:11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.†How clearly Paul teaches this to Timothy.

This is in regards to "church" matters, there is no issue with a women teaching in public or school matters but not pertaining to the church.

 

[Kaliani]

This does not mean women are inferior to a man

Then later on in the same post:

God did not create them equal

I don't see how these two statements don't contradict each other.

 

[farouk]

Then later on in the same post:



I don't see how these two statements don't contradict each other.

I think Christine meant: 'didn't not create them equal'.

 

[heymikey80]

There are major considerations when dealing with the authority of women.

The Decalogue says to "Honor your father and your mother." That doesn't end when you reach adulthood.

In general the Bible adopts a familial model, where the man cares for and loves and protects and submits to everyone in the family, while using all that familial wisdom and discretion to reach conclusions that are best for all the family.

But that policy is not absolute. Deborah was appointed elder over Israel when men flouted their moral status and duties in Israel. God was with Deborah. Not a hard/fast rule, especially for a people and a leader who are not following the Lord as they ought. Granted, there were probably some people in Israel under Deborah who were upright and following the Lord with all their hearts. But that didn't make Deborah a non-judge over them, either.

What does Paul mean in his letter? It's a good question. The "authority" issue here is very different from the liberal education system of today: if your discipler said to do something, you were bound to do it in this culture. Nowadays, we make a distinction between teaching and authority -- a teacher can be authoritative -- that is, trustworthy, knowledgeable -- about the subject matter they teach. But they are no more authorities -- that is, policemen -- over the lives of their students than anyone else.

Finally -- if you find yourself in a church, being discipled by someone of the opposite sex -- be very wary of this situation. Paul advises against it, particularly in the case of men submitting to women. However our culture has found we have degenerated to where either cross-gender discipling is not without serious risks. Secondarily if you are in some kind of "movement" or group initiative in your college, led by someone of the opposite sex -- the same hazards may appear.

 

[farouk]

Yes, Deborah is greatly honored in Scripture.

 

[Grazer]

Finally -- if you find yourself in a church, being discipled by someone of the opposite sex -- be very wary of this situation. Paul advises against it, particularly in the case of men submitting to women. However our culture has found we have degenerated to where either cross-gender discipling is not without serious risks. Secondarily if you are in some kind of "movement" or group initiative in your college, led by someone of the opposite sex -- the same hazards may appear.

Can I ask why? I'd have no issues with being discipled by a woman and as you alluded to, it was a very different culture in Paul's day.

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

 

[MathGuy]

Thanks for your response everyone! Yes, I have definitely encountered many very intelligent, well-qualified women teachers: I just wasn't sure if being a student was allowing them too much authority over me in a way that was unbiblical. However, if I'm understanding what everyone's been saying correctly, Paul was talking about spiritual instruction, and about authority in the church, which is why this isn't a problem.

 

[farouk]

Thanks for your response everyone! Yes, I have definitely encountered many very intelligent, well-qualified women teachers: I just wasn't sure if being a student was allowing them too much authority over me in a way that was unbiblical. However, if I'm understanding what everyone's been saying correctly, Paul was talking about spiritual instruction, and about authority in the church, which is why this isn't a problem.

YW, & I think your summary of the views expressed is accurate.

Blessings.

 

[jasoncran]

women are easily decieved by men and spirits then males are. eve ate of the fruit and was seduced by satan. adam knowingly choose evil over her dying alone. if adam didnt eat, eve would have died alone for her sin. that is why adam is held as the man whom brought death into the world not eve in jewish thought and the church today.

otherwise jesus would have to be a woman in appearance. remember it was adam first then eve.

 

[for_his_glory]

'Adam' in Hebrew means 'earth' - not 'man'.

But your point is otherwise well made. Both male and female were made out of the same material - earth.

Actually Adam means "red earth" in Hebrew as God formed him out of the red clay of the earth thus also being made man was the first man so earth and man are both right.

 

[stovebolts]

I believe that the setting Paul is talking about is contained within corporate worship.

We see that Timothy himself was taught by his mother and grandmother and Paul holds this in high esteem as women play a key role in teaching young children.

When we look at that verse, we must keep in mind that Paul is writing to Timothy because false doctrines that do not conform or harmonize with the gospel of Christ have entered into the church. The passage makes no mention of "sunday school teachers", let alone secular school teachers. No, Paul is talking about what we now might consider our "Adult" classes.

In essence, Paul is saying that the men are to flush out and hash out these false doctrines. As far as other doctrines, the men are also to hash them out as well and a woman should learn in silence and if they have questions, they ought to ask their husbands. In short, it is not a woman's place to argue doctrines within a corporate setting.

What Paul is NOT saying is that women shouldn't participate in "bible" studies.

 

[Kaliani]

adam knowingly choose evil over her dying alone. if adam didnt eat, eve would have died alone for her sin.

I've read something like this in John Milton's Paradise Lost.

I have not seen a place in scripture where Adam's fall is portrayed as an act of pity or self-sacrifice. Am I missing something?

 

[wayseer]

women are easily decieved by men and spirits

This is superstitious fantasy.

One of the greatest evils of our time is the devolution of Christianity into fantasy.

 

[jasoncran]

This is superstitious fantasy.

One of the greatest evils of our time is the devolution of Christianity into fantasy.

really. i have done it. i used to be into the occult. that is why heymikey said what he said. fantasty. its a general statement btw, but in general women follow. i dont care how much male programing you give a girl, is she isnt a lesbian , she will want men and will make herself available to men by confirming to the concepts of what societies says men want.

society in general denegrates women by telling them its ok to be a sex machine. yes men did them wrong, and use them buts its not wise to say that abortion and the extreme feminist movement has elevated women honeslty.

abortion makes it real easy for a man to have sex with a girl and leave her and not worry one bit about it.was it fantasy then for the bible to say that angels in heaven loved women and had children by them?

now then before you all bash me. i have gone to churches here that mainly allow women to teach. so please it doesnt offend me, but i prefer men. why? im a man. i feel awkard going to a woman about male leading issues, such as how should i lead my wife. the wife isnt the head of the household

and if women can be a bishop, how can they marry women and not be in sin?

if a man desires to be bishop he must be a man of one wife

 

[wayseer]

Sorry - I have no idea what you are talking about.

I have addressed a theological issue. If you see my words as some form of social commentary then that is your choice.

 

[heymikey80]

Can I ask why? I'd have no issues with being discipled by a woman and as you alluded to, it was a very different culture in Paul's day.

Checking into the context of Paul's assertion in 1 Timothy, I find Paul argues this on creational conditions, not cultural conditions. That would mean the admittedly very different ancient culture is not the primary issue for Paul, but the created relationship between man and woman is actually Paul's primary issue.

Personally, I don't think humanity is very different in our day. Longterm experience and information has borne that out.

Now, you may not recognize any issues with being discipled by a woman, but in an authority relationship it truly is quite different. Longterm mentoring sets very different psychological tones. It's possible to do so, as in Deborah's case, which appear to be highly defective cultural conditions. But Paul's making the case very differently, basing it on creation.

 

[jasoncran]

i dont think you have wayseer.

a bishop must be a man of one wife. that means he cant be a woman.

 

[Kaliani]

Sorry - I have no idea what you are talking about.

I have addressed a theological issue.

Me too, I asked a question directly related to scripture, but it might be best if I forget about getting it answered at all at this rate.

 

[BornAgain]

Not sure what your point is here.

As far as we know, apart from a section of Isaiah, the biblical texts we have were written by men.

And I am sure I have made no reference to the fact that the Bible is NOT inspired. You might want to point out the relative quote.

Heb 1:1 KJV

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.

The Author of the Old Testament is the Author of the New. It follows that the Bible is a unit; and that it is throughout perfectly consistent in all its parts. For "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished for every good work." 2 Tim 16, 17.

I just read your post again and saw that you said you believed the Bible was inspired by God. Sorry but I did not want to delete the post.

 

[stovebolts]

Me too, I asked a question directly related to scripture, but it might be best if I forget about getting it answered at all at this rate.

I've read your posts and I don't see where you havn't been answered. Tell ya what, why don't you ask again and I'll give it my best shot. Not to promise I'll have an answer, let alone an answer you'll accept, but go on ahead and ask and I'll at least give it a shot.