Monday, November 30, 2009

The Apostle Paul Part VI: Hard Questions

I am not a biblical scholar.

I am a woman who loves the Lord and enjoys studying and learning.

I struggled with Paul's directives regarding women and the modern church's policies currently in place and attributed to Paul.

I wanted to develop my own, personal opinion regarding Paul, the Bible, and my God-given role.

It is not my intention to offend, incite, or influence anyone.
I'm a writer. It's a gift God's given me. It only makes sense that I write down what I've discovered ... and what I've decided to personally believe.


PAUL:

  • Do you agree or disagree with Paul's directives in the Bible?
  • What was Paul's ultimate mission?

YOU:
  • Can you support your opinions logically? Factually?
  • Do you only embrace those things that support your personal thoughts and opinions?
  • Do you have specific criteria in which you base your beliefs on?
  • What determines who you trust?
  • How do you decide what you will believe in and what you will reject?
  • What are your standards for validity and truth?
  • What is your ultimate goal in this life?
  • What is your ultimate purpose in this life?
The Bible:
  • Do you read the Bible?
  • Do you study the Bible?
  • Do you pursue questions that you have regarding the Bible?
  • Do you believe the Bible is inspired by God?
  • How is your personal, spiritual foundation influenced based on your perception of the Bible?

Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Apostle Paul Part V: Paul's Resume

Paul's Resume

What would Paul's resume look like?


·Citizen of Rome · Place of Birth: Tarsus, Rome·

Saul/Paul

Objective

I earnestly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ has been exalted in my life. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20-21


Experience

See Specific Books


Worldwide

Writer

Gifted writer of thirteen books of the New Testament
  • What Christians believe about Christ: Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians,
  • Church Problems: I Corinthians,
  • Christian Life and Community: Ephesians, Colossians,
  • Paul’s Authority as an Apostle: II Corinthians, Galatians
  • Encouragement of Young Believers: Philippians, I Thessalonians,
  • Correction of False Teachings: Galatians, Colossians, II Thessalonians,
  • Advice to Individuals: I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon

Acts 13, 17


Worldwide

Preacher

A heart-stirring preacher who relied on Scripture and appealed to historical facts and prophecy.


Acts 13-15, 18-21, 28:30-31

2 Cor. 12-13


Worldwide


Missionary

Three fruitful missionary journeys. His combined trips, by land and sea, equal more than 13,000 miles. Credited with founding churches in Corinth, Berea, Thessalonica, Philippi, Athens, Ephesus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Perga, Cyprus and probably Spain as well.

  • The First Missionary Journey of Paul (c. 46-49) saw him travel to Cyprus, Perga, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe with Barnabas and John-Mark, founding a number of churches.
  • The Second Missionary Journey of Paul (51-54 AD) was with Silas, through Phyrgia, Galatia, Mysia and Troas, where he received instruction from the Holy Spirit to go to Macedonia, so they immediately traveled to Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth, then back through Ephesus to Jerusalem and eventually again to Antioch, with the more successful missionary work in Macedonia, Corinth and Ephesus.
  • The Third Missionary Journey of Paul (54-58 AD) was with Timothy. Leaving Antioch, they traveled all over Galatia and Phyrgia, and arrived in Ephesus where he stayed for about three years. From Ephesus, Paul may have made another trip to Corinth (as he mentions three trips to Corinth) but certainly traveled through Macedonia (probably Thessalonica, Philippi and Berea) and maybe Illyricum. From there he traveled to Greece (Athens and Corinth), then headed back to Jerusalem for the last time, through Troas, Miletus, Tyre and Caeserea.


Acts 9:1-17


Road to Damascus

Apostle of Jesus Christ

Became a believer through Divine intervention.


Acts 8:1-4


Jerusalem

Persecutor of the Christian Church

Enthusiastically endeavored to stamp out the Christian faith.

Acts 23:6, Philippians 3:5


Jerusalem

Pharisee

  • Pharisee by birth as he was the son of Pharisees.
  • Pharisee by belief and choice.

Acts 18:3


Tarsus

Tentmaker


Education

Galatians 1:15-24


Worldwide

Christian Education

Ten years training in Arabia, Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria, and Cilicia, spent much time in the study of Scripture and in prayer. Spent extensive time with Christian believers.


Acts 22:3, Philippians 3:5


Jerusalem

Hebrew Training

Studied under the great philosopher, Gamaliel. Familiar with Greek poets, philosophers, and literature.

Circumcised, memorized extensive scriptures, familiar with Jewish history.


Acts 18:3


Tarsus

Tentmaker/Leatherworker

Educated through direct experience working side by side with experienced tentmakers and leatherworkers. Successfully completed all apprentice requirements.


References

  • Gamaliel, Philosopher, Acts 22:3
  • Barnabas, Missionary Trip Partner, Trip #1, Acts 13-15
  • Priscilla & Aquila, Tentmakers Acts 18
  • Timothy, Minister to the Church at Corinth


Interests

Travel, adventure, teaching, preaching, reading, studying.





Saturday, November 28, 2009

The Apostle Paul - Part IV


Is this what Paul intended??

How To Be A Good Wife


The following is excerpted from a 1950’s high school home-economics textbook.


Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and you are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.


Prepare yourself. Take fifteen minutes to rest so that you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.


Clear away the clutter. Make on e last trip throughout the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over your tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.


Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces. If they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noises of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him.


Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.

Some don’ts. Don’t greet him with problems or complaints. Don’t complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day. Make him comfortable. Have him lay back in a comfortable chair or suggest that he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes,. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.


Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner, or to other pleasant entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to unwind and relax.


Friday, November 27, 2009

What Paul Said - Part III

Before we move on to talk about Paul, let me add a few more sticks to the fire.

Here are some modern quotes all related to women and the church.

All related to Paul's scriptural quotes.

How do these quotes make you feel?


“God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers, or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership—in their lives and through their words. Women are to take a less authoritative role. Women are encouraged to teach other women. The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching men or having spiritual authority over them. This logically would preclude women from serving as pastors/preachers. This does not make women less important, by any means, but rather gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with God’s plan and His gifting of them.”

Women pastors / preachers? What does the Bible say about women in ministry?

http://www.gotquestions.org/women-pastors.html


"We believe that the Bible says that while both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture," says Richard Land, a senior officer of the SBC.

Land is referring to the New Testament letters of the Apostle Paul, who said women should not have authority over men in the church and the home. The Baptists reaffirmed that teaching in 2000.

Baptist Leaders Face Challenge On Women's Roles, July 24, 2009 by Barbara Bradley Hagerty

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106932178


“God's word clearly tells us that the elder is to be the husband of one wife. A woman cannot qualify for this position by virtue of her being female. Whether anyone likes it or not is irrelevant to the fact that this is what the Bible teaches.”

Should Women Be Pastors and Elders? Christian Apologetics Research and Ministry

http://www.carm.org/christianity/miscellaneous-topics/should-women-be-pastors-and-elders


“The context is abundantly clear. Paul addresses men and women in general as members of the church and not just husbands and wives, as he does in Ephesians 5:22-23 and Colossians 3:18-19. The apostle calls upon all men, not just husbands, to lift up holy hands in prayer (1 Tim 2:8). He summons all women, not just wives, to dress modestly (1 Tim 2:9). Similarly Paul prohibits all women, not just wives, to teach authoritatively as the head of the congregation (1 Tim 2:12). This Teaching may not be popular, but it has the merit of being true to Scripture.”

Women and Leadership In The Church, Touch of Faith Ministry

http://www.tofm.org/LIBRARY/Women/women_leadship_in_church.htm



“We have seen that the explicit texts of Scripture forbid women to serve as pastors. The biblical model for family roles supports that stance as well. It is not a matter of inferiority or worth, for all persons are of equal worth in their persons, reflecting the essential equality of the Godhead. It is a matter of function. There is no compelling reason to encourage women as pastors, and there are many reasons not to do so. Prior to the eternal state, however, there is a demand for functional organization. The organization prescribed for churches pictures God's functional organization in the Godhead. Therefore, based upon these texts and models, a woman's spiritual service is to be in those roles assigned her by God. These do not include the role of pastor.”

Women Pastors: What Does the Bible Teach by Richard R. Melick, Jr., Ph.D. May 1998

http://www.baptist2baptist.net/b2barticle.asp?ID=229


“In the Church’s latest statement on this matter, Pope John Paul II, using his full authority as the successor of Peter, states categorically that the Church cannot — not will not, but cannot — ordain women, now or in the future. The Catechism of the Catholic Church sets it out clearly, quoting the decree Inter insigniores: Only a baptized man (vir) receives sacred ordination. The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ’s return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord Himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.”

http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0001.html


“God established a model to represent His unbreakable, eternal covenant with mankind. That model extends into the church and the home, into the relationships between men and women and parents and children. God's rule against women serving as Pastors and Elders has nothing to do with their ability. It would be inappropriate for a woman to teach or have authority over men in the church because it turns the model God established upside down. This doesn't make women less valuable or less important in any way. This doesn't mean women can't serve in countless other leadership areas. But it certainly extends into Eldership or pastoral roles where a woman would have spiritual authority over men.”

Women In Church Leadership, George Pytlik, 2005

http://www.pytlik.com/observe/faith/women-02.html




Do you know what your church's opinion is of women and their participation in the church?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

What The Apostle Paul Said - Part II

But ...
the Apostle Paul also said some other things that are important for us to be aware of:


  • But in relationships among the Lord's people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. For although the first woman came from man, all men have been born from women ever since, and everything comes from God. I Corinthians 11:11-12
  • And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21
  • And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man is actually loving himself when he loves his wife. No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as Christ cares for his body, which is the church. And we are his body. As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:25-33
  • Woman is the glory of man. For the first man didn't come from woman, but the first woman came from man. I Corinthians 11:7-8
  • For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. Galatians 3:26-29
  • l Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Do these quotes change your first impressions of Paul?
How?