Sermon Tone Analysis

On Women Preachers

Introduction

I hold to a doctrine known in the Latin as "sola scriptura" or "scripture alone".

Sola scriptura means that Scripture alone is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian.

Biblical references used to affirm women preachers (with my commentary)

Junia: "of note among the apostles”

Junia has been called an apostle.

But, it is clear that the phrases "noted among the apostles", "outstanding among the apostles", "well known to the apostles", and "ἐπίσημοι ἐν τοῖς ἀποστόλοις (prominent or outstanding among the apostles) all denotes the reputation, testimony, or high regard of she and Andronicus.

They are not apostles, but rather known by them.

"note among the apostles" KJV

"outstanding among the apostles" NASB

"known to the apostles" ESV

"ἐπίσημοι ἐν τοῖς ἀποστόλοις" Greek (Berean)

"...they told all these things unto the eleven"

It is indisputable that the first testimony of the risen Lord was given by women.

At a time when a woman was not allowed to testify in a court, it seems ironic that Jesus' resurrection was first given to women and then first spread by women.

Rather than being a proof text for women preachers, it should be seen as it is: further proof that the resurrection was not a conspiratorial concoction of Jesus' disciples.

No conspiracy would have dared employed the testimony of women in their plot.

“Because of the woman's testimony”

The call to be a witness is never given only to men.

The Great Commission is to all.

That fact does not, in any way, negate other portions of scripture where women are expressly forbidden from positions of leadership.

“Until I, Deborah, arose”

The Old Testament position of Judge should not be mistaken for that of a spiritual leader.

It is a fact that Deborah was used as a political leader of Israel.

But it must also be aknowledged that she operated through Barak.

Additionally, the role of judge is not equatable to the New Testament office of pastor/elder/bishop in any way.

Huldah: “Go and inquire of the Lord for me”

God's usage of Huldah here is a clear rebuke to the men who had neglected their offices and duties.

Huldah's prophecy is to their open shame for being derelict in their duties.

This is clear in 2 Kings 22:15-20 where a curse is placed upon the men who had neglected their responsibilities, but a blessing is pronounced upon the king.

This position is strengthened by the similarities with Deborah where the enemy was defeated by a woman and not by a man.

Again, this was to the shame and rebuke of the failure of men to lead and should not be lifted out of the context so as to associate these examples with that of the New Testament pastor/elder/bishop.

Miriam: “All the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing”

While Miriam was used to save Moses alive and while she was called a prophetess, Exodus 15:20 states that "all the women went out after her with tembrels and with dances".

The very scripture that tells us that Miriam was a prophetess tells us that the women and only the women followed her.

It must also be noted that when Miriam attempted to assert herself over and against a man (Moses), she was struck with leprosy (Numbers 12:10).

Biblical references that refute women preachers

1 Corinthians 14:34-35

1 Corinthians 11:3-9

1 Timothy 3:1-2

Titus 1:5-6