Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 3/9/2010

Question
I am a member of a Freewill Baptist church in Kentucky. Last Wednesday a womens group started a six week Bible study. It is called the Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer.  My question is there are alot of people that are not happy about this Bible study because Joyce Meyer is an ordained Minister, and the church doctrine does not believe in women preaching. Some feel it is just a teacher teaching a class.  What do you think?

Answer
To be honest, I am not a fan of Ms. Meyer.  Ordained or not, I would not refer her material to anyone. I understand she is folksy and personable but I am not a fan for various reasons.

Here are some questions for you to consider.  If your church doctrine feels that women preachers/pastors are not in accordance with the Word of God then is it fitting to use material created by a person they feel is not a valid minister?   Is her teaching then suspect if she is in rebellion against God by being in an unscriptural position?  If you use her materials are you then not validating her minstry and in rebellion against your denomination's teaching placing you at odds with them and in their estimation, the Word of God, and hence God Himself? Indeed, if I recall correctly, Free Will Baptists are Arminian and going against the teaching of your group would put you in open sin and in danger of losing your salvation.  It has been awhile since I have studied your group so you may have to correct me on that if my memory has blurred a bit.  

However, there is a very valid argument that women should not teach the Bible in any capacity if you take Paul's teaching in context.  The chapter divisions were made by man to help reading comprehension as the Greek had no puncuation, paragraphs or upper and lower case letters.  They were either upper or lower but no mixing the two  Very few people would be able to read and understand the Word today if we used that format.  However, from time to time, there are some places where the divisions should have or could have been different to avoid some confusion.  If we remove the division between 1 Tim 2:11-1 Tim 3:7 we see an even clearer picture of what Paul was saying through Spirit inspiration.

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  KJV


The Greek word translated teach is the same when it speaks of the ledies and the pastor-teacher.  So if a woman is not to teach then it means teach in any capacity not just a pastorate as many teach.  That is very much against our culture to be sure but if you consider the only ones who have actually taught in the OT and the NT were men except for the Jezebel mentioned in Revelation it is not incongruous at all.  It is hard to teach and be silent unless you are mimes.  ;-)

In Titus the older women are commanded to teach the younger but the word in the Greek is different than in Timothy and if you note the subject matter is clearly defined as to what they are to teach.  

We have made many changes over the years to please culture and for convenience sake.  Looking at the Word, it is a strong argument that women led Bible studies and even women teaching Sunday School are not in accordance with what the Bible teaches.  

I include this for your study and meditation.  If nothing else, be thankful that your denomination does not hold to this or maybe you should not be thankful.  That is between you and the Lord but it is something to pray about and study.  

The bottom line for your present situation is to consider the questions that I initially asked you to consider.  May God give you and your group wisdom and discernment.  Blessings to you as you seek His will!