No biblical case for a woman preacher? Read more ...

I usually don’t follow the arguments that take place in the Evangelical world even though I identify myself as an Evangelical. But I couldn’t help but notice the kerfuffle last week about the comments John MacArthur shared at a “Truth Matters” conference.  I listened to much of an audio recording of his remarks.  When asked to respond in a pithy statement to the words, “Beth Moore” he said “go home.”

I found this comment offensive and sexist.  His next comment prompted this blog.  He went on to criticize women preachers calling it unbiblical.  He said, “There is no case that can be made biblically for a woman preacher. Period

No biblical case for a women preacher?

Hmm.

When Hannah discovered she was pregnant after initially suffering from infertility, she shared a prayer to God in 1 Samuel 2.  Her prayer was included in the Bible and has influenced millions of people about faith, prayer, and the nature of God. Her prayer has inspired me many times during my own faith journey.  Thanks for preaching, Hannah!

When Jesus was raised, the first person he met was Mary Magdalene. He told Mary to go and tell the disciples what she had seen.  “Mary went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that [Jesus] had said these things to her.” (John 20:18) The fact that Jesus entrusted Mary Magdalene with the message of his resurrection is enough biblical justification for female preachers.  Thanks for preaching, Mary Magdalene!

When Mary the mother of Jesus visited her aunt Elizabeth, baby Jesus leaped in her womb. Mary shared a song of praise that has been heard by billions of people in churches.  Her song of praise has been an inspiration for many—including me. (Luke 1:46-56) Thanks for preaching, Mary!

After Jesus met a woman from Samaria at a well at noon the woman went to her own village.  “Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’”  (John 4:39)  That testimony—which is one definition of preaching—brought many people to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Thanks for preaching, Samaritan woman!

I’ve read the scant few Scriptures that those who don’t believe in woman’s ordination share as a case against women preachers.  One is from 1 Timothy 2:11-12. When Paul wrote that Scripture he was not making a universal statement about the relationship between men and women; He was making a contextual statement about a particular situation. His message is not consistent with the general message of Scripture.

I’m certainly not writing this blog, so that John MacArthur will change his mind. I am writing it so people in the north Metro will see that the biblical case for women’s ordination shines very brightly. My hope is that every church in the north Metro in 2020 will have a woman share the sermon.  For all who are reading this blog, I encourage you to ask the leadership team of your church to have a woman preach in 2020.  Who knows—perhaps the message from that female preacher will be as powerful as Hannah’s or Mary Magdalene’s or Mary’s, or the woman from Samaria.

For some churches having women preachers won’t happen until lay people make the biblical case.  If you attend a church that prohibits women preachers, I want to encourage you to make that case with your leaders.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has ordained women as pastors since 1956 when Margaret Towner was ordained.  On a personal note I can’t help but note that she graduated from Carleton College and Union Theological Seminary in New York City; the same places I received my degrees.  I know that denominations are not as important for people in choosing churches, but the reality that the PC(USA) has such a long and rich history of ordaining women is makes the case that a Presbyterian church is worth checking out.  Chain of Lakes Church frequently asks women to preach.  A week ago Sunday, October 20, Tahni Cullen preached at Chain of Lakes.  Many people with whom I spoke were helped by her message. 

Women are serving as CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies, they are serving on the Supreme Court, they serve in leadership positions in all part of our culture.  And even if some believe that those leadership positions are not enough of a case for them to be preachers, the message of the Bible cements the case.  I’m sorry that some parts of the church are two thousand years behind what Jesus desired and taught.  My prayer is that every congregation can catch up to the desires of Jesus and the teaching of Scriptures.