With the advent of the feminist movement, the role of women in .
all parts of society has come under increasing scrutiny. One area of .
recent controversy is the role of women in the Christian Church. Some .
churches whose traditions and practices are less rigidly tied to .
Biblical doctrines have begun placing women in leadership positions .
such as pastor or teacher. Other churches which interpret the Bible .
more literally have been slow to adopt such changes. Much of the .
confusion is based on attempts to interpret scriptures pertaining to .
women. In this essay, we will use the Bible to understand the role of .
women in the church of the first century and apply that understanding .
to the church of the twentieth century.
Many people would dispute the Bible's relevance to contemporary .
thought in general, and in particular to the role of women in worship. .
If the Bible were not written under divine inspiration, a person or .
practice is not bound by its teachings. He or she can therefor pick .
and choose whatever corresponds to his/her point of view. However, if .
the Bible is of divine inspiration, then a cautious consideration of .
passages relevant to a particular issue must be undertaken. Traditions .
and customs that have arisen after the Bible was written may thus be .
carefully scrutinized. Such practices may or may not prove sound after .
comparison with scripture.
Before we discuss specific issues concerning women in worship, .
we should consider principles derived from the relationship of Adam .
and Eve as described in Genesis chapter one. The Apostle Paul .
frequently uses this passage as a guideline when discussing women and .
women's issues. Genesis 1 verse 27 states: "So God created man in his .
own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he .
created them." Most Commentators agree that man and woman are both .
equally a reflection of God's image; the word "man" here is used as a .
synonym for humanity.