Expert: Ernie Laurence, Jr. - 2/12/2010

Question
Recently the minister and his wife, along with his son and family, moved out of state.  We are left with women in the congregation.  I am the only one (widowed) with a son.  He is 14 years old and is on the high functioning end of the autism scale.  He is not baptized.  Some women faith are that he should be included in 1 Timothy 2:12 as a man, so that we would not be able to have Bible class and worship with him in attendance.  My faith is that a man is an adult male.  Adult meaning fully developed and mature which my son has not reached maturity or quit developing.  My faith is, at present, it would be okay.  Even if one woman objects, I will attempt to seek another sound church to prevent the local congregation from scattering.  I do not want to be divisive or contentious in this manner.  I do, however, want to be scripturally sound.  (Which is why I appreciate your posts -- thank you for remaining sound.)  Although I do not know how old Timothy was at the time his mother and grandmother taught him, I would like to believe Timothy would be a fine example for us to follow.  Who would teach my son since we are women?  How will he ever come to know the word?  I've asked him whether he has thought about baptism.  His reply: he's
reluctant because he didn't think he could be the preacher and he'd have to be.  I believe this indicates his lack of understanding and maturity.  I have prayed to God to help us sort this out...and still awaiting an answer when I found your posts.  What do you believe to be scriptually correct?  And if I were to leave, how would I worship since there probably isn't a sound church within an hour's driving distance?  I look forward to any input you may have as I know this is a difficult situation.  Thank you.

Answer
Thanks for the question.  I will do my best to answer from scripture for that is the sole source of authority for humanity on spiritual matters.  I apologize if this answer came a little slow.  I am a new father with twins and my free time is sporadic these days. :D

There are two points to consider with regard to your situation.

1.  In answering the question: is your son an adult man as the Bible declares such things?  The answer depends entirely on your son just as the age of accountability depends on the individual.  In this particular regard, that is between your son and God.  Whether your son is of an accountable age (spiritually an adult), is not related to the problem you face at your congregation.

2.  In your situation, the women are concerned about 1 Tim. 2:12 which says:

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

The word for "man" in this text is the Greek word "aner" which in this context is set in opposition to the word woman.  The appropriate translation due to context then is male rather than "adult man".  But the word "aner" is not the focus here.  The key word is "authority".  The problem would come with women usurping (taking that which does not belong with regard to position or ownership) authority.  Your son, not being a Christian, has no authority in the Lord's church.  The Christian women of that congregation cannot usurp what does not exist and therefore they cannot violate the command in 1 Tim.  It would be the same as if a non-Christian male visitor walked in off the streets.  Christian women are certainly authorized, even commanded, to preach the gospel and that includes preaching the gospel to lost adult men of the world.

Your congregation is to be commended for its desire to follow the will of God, to have Bible authority for everything you do.

I hope I have been able to answer your question in a way that is useful to you.  If I can help with further discussion, please don't hesitate to ask.  Just remember, I am an uninspired human and am not the source of authority.  Ultimately the women there must study the Word and work out their own salvation by rightly dividing the Truth.

In Truth and Love,

Ernie