I once told a christian guy from here that I had counsel/ lead men to Christ in the past and he said that my action was unbiblical. I told him of Deborah leading Barak in ancient Israel and he dismissed me.
Of course it's OK for women to lead men to Christ...I know many fine missionaries who are women. I can't say that I think women should be leaders (ie pastors, deacons) in the local congregation, but witnessing? YES.
What an odd reaction. Did he have any scripture to back it up?
I can't think of any scripture that prohibits women from leading men to God. God is the one who speaks through and to whomever He wants to. He is not limited by gender (or even species - look at Baalam's donkey!).
If he can't back it up he's just expressing his own opinion. In my opinion.
I don't even believe women are supposed to be "silent" in church...I think maybe it has more to do with the "general population" of women interpreting scripture, or having authority over doctrinal disputes, or questioning scripture while in the middle of the whole congregation...because there are examples of women in the bible that were leaders and judges. So whats the catch? I think that...
#1 - Since the letter was to a specific church...maybe they were having a specific problem.
#2 - Women sometimes have a more emotional response then men do...and they are usually more vocal...so it could cause problems if they are basing their biblical questions/interpretations on a emotional response, and voicing them in front of the entire congregation. I'm not saying men don't do that...but I think as a whole, women would have that happen more often. I don't think that verse means that women would never speak in church, or that women should never witness of their love for God. God values a woman's opinion/life just as much as a man's. Mary Magdalene was probably the only one that truly understood Jesus' ministry on this earth. All the "great" male apostles were blinded by selfish pride and glory.
I believe that there are exceptions to the leadership rule because there is evidence of women leaders in scripture. I would say that a woman that exhibits the rare qualities that are required of biblical leaders would be able to lead, but to be honest, I do not see very many "grave and sober-minded" women. I don't think God created women that way. Men and women...are...just...different. Thank God. I don't want to marry a man....
Anyway...I believe there is no biblical question about the roles men and women are supposed to play...and I believe most of the problems we have now are because most people are deserting God's designs. Men are sickeningly selfish and prideful...and women seem to be getting a crash course on how to be like "men". I don't know...this world is just messed up...
I was driving one day, and I pulled up behind a Chevy Suburban that had two bumper stickers on it..... The first one said...."All Men Are Idiots And I Married The King"...... The other one said...."Jesus Saves".......
After the light turned green, I decided to pull up along side the Suburban just to see who was driving it......
Yep...it was a woman gabbing non stop on her cell phone.......
I just sort of shook my head and laughed. Only in a woman's mind could she NOT see the ironic juxtaposition she just made in those bumper stickers.
So tell me.... exactly in what direction am I supposed to follow when she feels compelled to lead me???
Now... mind you... this morning, the first thing I watched on TV was Joyce Meyer. I like her approach to things. But make no mistake about it....eighty percent of the crowd she spoke to today were women.... most of them not exactly qualified to lead. Even somebody like Joyce will be quick to point out the error of her ways during her ministry.... She also, thank heaven, makes it a clear point to make mention of her husband Dave many times when she speaks to her flock, and how he keeps her grounded and helps her see things she is missing. But at least she displays a willingness to be humble enough to let everybody know that even she is human.
I think women definitely SHOULD lead men to Christ....and that they can most definitely make great ministers... provided that their agenda is actually Chirst driven and not feminism driven. I myself look for 'good council' from a woman. But I am very cautious as to actually heed just any woman's advice where my "manhood" is concerned. For there has been quite a controversy over the years of the 'feminization' of the church. I tend to agree with people like John Eldridge, who are trying to get men back to being "men"....and women back to being "women". Most women who think they are "leading" are actually trying to turn men into little Mother Teresas, devoid of any masculinity at all. These women have a false "image" of Jesus being a "blue eyed, white, docile, soft voiced, effeminate man who carried a lamb around all the time on his shoulder....".......umm..... not exactly....
One only need to know which way a woman should actually lead by reading about Martha and Mary....... Martha basically liked to run her mouth and nag, bossing people around...including Mary. Mary...the more introspective of the two.........sat and listened. Jesus quickly pointed out which one of the two was WRONG in her approach. Martha even had the nerve to try to bawl JESUS out for not being there at the time Lazarus passed... Mary did it a little differently.....
So....in short.... Yes...I think women should and can lead a man to Christ.... But after reading some posts in here from women who are CONVINCED that God is telling them to do some things that clearly are not from God.... I'm not exactly going to be jumping until she shows me her actions are that OF God's....
AV Pr 1:7-8 . The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
What seems to be missing is an understanding that many, many and many more mothers lead their son(s) to Christ. Initially and all the way.
AV 1C 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
In saying that, it's God who made it ALL happen, we were just helpers.
The end result is someone finding and accepting Christ - the most important thing. I don't care how someone came to Christ, nor who led them there, so long as the intentions are right and the feelings are true.
A life without Christ is unfulfilling and no one should be deprived of the chance to know Him. Anyone who helps others find Him is doing the work of the Lord and I personally admire that.
I am not ashamed to proclaim the gospel of Christ to anyone be they men or women. My motive is simply for others to hear and know that there is a wonderful God who loves them unconditionally. If God does not approve of my action, He always let me know by the convicting power of his Spirit.
I suppose, i will continue counselling and or leading others to Christ until Christ Jesus Himself, stops me.
