Questions tagged [women]

teachings about women or female characters

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Why don't many churches obey Paul's command that women must be silent in church? [closed]

In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul says that women must be silent in churches and ask questions to their husbands when they get home: Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,...
Jonathan.'s user avatar
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50 votes
6 answers
74k views

What is the biblical justification for permitting female pastors?

It seems that that 1Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB) says that women shouldn't be pastors. But there are many denominations that allow this. 1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB) 12 But I do not allow a woman to ...
Richard's user avatar
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19 votes
2 answers
41k views

What happened to the the practice of women covering their heads?

Why don't more Christian women wear a covering? Most people today might associate the idea with the Old Testament, but references to the custom are actually found in the New Testament too: 1 ...
user avatar
17 votes
5 answers
4k views

Should women give sermons? [closed]

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let ...
Nok from Ghana's user avatar
16 votes
4 answers
3k views

What is the biblical basis or precedent for restricting women from serving in war?

In the United States, the Secretary of Defense just lifted the ban on women in combat. Many Christians seem to oppose this idea and believe that women should not be put in combat. What is the ...
Narnian's user avatar
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16 votes
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Why are wives considered the "weaker partner"? (1 Peter 3:7) [closed]

In 1 Peter, we read: 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV) Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the ...
Richard's user avatar
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14 votes
1 answer
759 views

What happened to the wives of priests when celibacy was first instituted in the Catholic church?

Since priests were not originally expected to be celibate, many must have been married when celibacy was first introduced. So what happened to the wives during this time when the institution started?
Mike's user avatar
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14 votes
4 answers
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What is the modern argument against obligatory head coverings?

1 Corinthians 11:4-6 gives these instructions about head coverings: 4 Every man who prays or prophesies while having something on his head dishonors his head, 5 but every woman who prays or ...
David Mulder's user avatar
13 votes
5 answers
10k views

How can women be forbidden to speak and yet prophesy and speak in tongues?

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul give forbids women from speaking in church. 1 Corinthians 14 NIV 34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in ...
aceinthehole's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
437 views

What roles are women allowed to play in LDS Sunday services?

On a Sunday when a Latter-day Saints congregation meets, what roles are women allowed or not allowed to play in the service?
Caleb's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
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When did female missionaries appear after the Reformation?

Assuming that prior to the Reformation, Jesuit priests did not bring missionary wives or families along, as they were not married, when did women become a normal sighting among missionary work around ...
Mike's user avatar
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10 votes
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What did Calvin think about Knox's "Monstrous Regiment"?

Scottish Protestant reformer John Knox (1514-1572) is the author of the work of vile misogyny, The first blast of the trumpet against the monstruous regiment of women (1558). In the book, Knox rails ...
James T's user avatar
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What is the biblical justification for allowing only male pastors? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: What is the biblical justification for permitting female pastors? What is the biblical justification for allowing only male pastors? How do churches excluding women from ...
djeikyb's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
4k views

Why has Mary Magdalene been portrayed as a prostitute?

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to watch ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. It wasn't all that great and yes I found it a bit offensive, however it did get me thinking. Why does it seem as if Mary ...
IndigoGirl's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
654 views

In which Christian denomination(s), do people plan their weddings around the bride's menstrual periods?

I am a Russian Orthodox Christian, and I know other Russian Orthodox Christians who consider a woman's menses to be impure. As a woman, this monthly bleeding is not saying that I am evil or bad during ...
Bobo's user avatar
  • 206
9 votes
4 answers
2k views

Are wives still called to be a "help meet" for their husbands? [closed]

Genesis 2:18(KJV) And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Within the broader Christian tradition, are wives still called to ...
Steve's user avatar
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9 votes
6 answers
4k views

When Paul says "I don't allow women to teach" why is this read as an instruction?

The famous verse 1 Timothy 2:12 is widely referenced in discussions regarding women church leaders: I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. My specific ...
Mr. Boy's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
332 views

How were women to serve the church according to the Apostolic Fathers?

Did the Apostolic Church Fathers write about the capacity in which women were to serve in the early church, or expand the capacity in which they served the church? In other words, what were they ...
hernan43's user avatar
  • 701
8 votes
2 answers
12k views

Does the Evangelical Free Church allow women elders?

I'm a member of an Evangelical Free church and one of the members of my Sunday school class made an impassioned plea for us to nominate several women to be elders. Currently our church has no women ...
Jon Ericson's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
650 views

Is there any historical record of Elizabeth the First's reaction to John Knox's tract on 'the monstruous regimen'?

In his tract The First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstruous Regimen of Women (see note below about the wording) John Knox appears to be extending Paul's proscription - regarding the place of ...
Nigel J's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
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What traditions believe that a woman's relationship with God must go through some man and how do they support it from the Bible?

As the question's title states, some traditions believe that there must be some man between every woman and God, be it her husband or a priest or whoever. What is the Biblical support for this view, ...
El'endia Starman's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
9k views

A woman's testimony was considered inadmissible in a court of law. Whose law?

As an argument for the validity of the Gospels, I have heard it mentioned by multiple pastors that a woman's testimony was considered inadmissible in a court of law, so the fact that women first ...
user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Are menstruating women considered ritually impure in Christianity?

In certain religions, women are considered as ritually impure during their menstrual cycles. They are asked not to participate in sacred rituals etc during those times. Is it the same in Christianity?...
Rickross's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
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How did the Willow Creek church come to allow and encourage women in leadership?

The Willow Creek Community Church has long had a policy of both men and women in leadership roles - which was (and is still) counter to what many other churches teach. From their site: We believe ...
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
595 views

What does childbearing have to do with the salvation of a woman? [closed]

Verse concerning saved: 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the ...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
867 views

What is seen to actually occur if a female were to be the subject of laying on of the hands in ordination?

What is seen to actually occur if a female were to be the subject of laying on of the hands in ordination? The CCC 1577 states that "...the ordaination of women is not possible". What (in the ...
David's user avatar
  • 397
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why does the Roman Catholic church allow girls to serve the altar?

I once knew a classmate who told me that she belonged to the Coptic Orthodox church. Out of curiosity, I asked her whether she had ever served the altar, because I figured that serving the altar was ...
Double U's user avatar
  • 6,773
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the Catholic interpretation of Sirach 42:14?

"Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; and it is a woman who brings shame and disgrace." - Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) 42:14, RSV.
Judicaël's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
489 views

From where does the teaching on women in ministry come? [duplicate]

First off, since I know this may be a somewhat controversial question in today's climate, let me just state that I'm not intending to take any part in that controversy. I'm just asking this question ...
Dolda2000's user avatar
  • 151
5 votes
3 answers
3k views

What is the source for Tertullian's "woman is a temple built over a sewer" quote?

I've seen several different versions of this quotation, but the one constant is: Woman is a temple built over a sewer. Other versions expand on this. Adding items such as Woman is a temple ...
J. Mini's user avatar
  • 61
5 votes
2 answers
797 views

Does any church still provide a pension for widows?

In 1 Timothy there is a passage that talks about widows receiving a pension from the church: 1 Timothy 5:9-16 A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, ...
WelcomeNewUsers's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
6k views

Were there any female priests in the temple?

Were there any female priests in the temple in Jerusalem at any time?
Aigle's user avatar
  • 802
4 votes
1 answer
4k views

Why do women have inferior rights in the Bible? [closed]

The Bible has many parts (in both the Old and New Testaments) that shows the inferior status of women. Does this come from status in ancient times or does it have another basis? Why do woman today ...
user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
882 views

Can LDS women be Sunday School Presidents?

From my understanding, women play a huge role in the LDS church, e.g. The Relief Society (which was established in 1842 and has about 6 million members). Even though they don't have the priesthood and ...
Butterfly and Bones's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
1k views

How do Apostolic Christians interpret arguably sexist verses in Sirach?

Before beginning my question, I'd like to clarify what I mean by 'Apostolic Christian'. By this, I mean anyone in the Assyrian, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic Communions. The ...
John Dumancic's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

What is the justification used by the Nazarene denomination that permits women to be pastors/ elders?

Nazarenes allow for, and indeed pride ourselves on, our allowance of women in the pastorate. What is their justification for doing so?
ServantoftheKing's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
285 views

Why is the matter of women's authority determined by Eve's acts in her life?

1st Timothy 2:12-14 (NIV): I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was ...
brilliant's user avatar
  • 9,893
4 votes
1 answer
975 views

Why shouldn't the UK have women bishops?

Just last week in the UK, the Church of England voted on the concept of having women bishops (who would then be eligible for appointment to the House of Lords, but that's not relevant.) They voted no....
Kaz Dragon's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Regarding women participation in extraordinary ministry (Roman-Catholic Church)

I've seen similar questions like these: Why doesn't the Catholic Church ordain women to be deacons? Why does the Roman Catholic church allow girls to serve the altar? but they do not cover what ...
Andremoniy's user avatar
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4 votes
3 answers
1k views

If baptism washes away original sin, why do women still get periods and pain?

Catholic doctrine states that baptism washes away sin including original sin. Well, periods and pains related to child birth are the punishment for original sin, at least for women. Why are we still ...
T.E.N's user avatar
  • 49
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

Romans 16:1 vs 1 Corinthians 14:34 - Position of Women in Congregation? [closed]

1 Corinthians 14:34,35 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they ...
user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
326 views

Were there women leaders in the early church?

We have a lot of documents from early church fathers, who were as far as I'm aware always male, but is there any accounts of females acting in a leadership or authority role similar to that of the ...
Whirlwind991's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can a married woman enter heaven if she bears no children? [closed]

Is there biblical basis for the idea that if a married woman bears no children she won't go to heaven? Is there a biblical basis against the idea?
Jamie Bonello's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
190 views

Are there any examples of canonized saints reprimanding insubordinate women?

What are some examples of canonized saints either educating or disciplining women over insubordination in church matters where a priest or bishop would be expected to be in charge or not tolerating ...
Geremia's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
124 views

Help identifying a large FAQ about women pastors made by John Piper and someone else

I don't know if was a book, article, or interview, but recently I read a document which contained 30-50 question and answer items related to women as pastors. I know it was by John Piper and ...
LCIII's user avatar
  • 9,387
3 votes
1 answer
571 views

Should a priest refuse communion to the inappropriately dressed woman when she approaches to receive it?

Should a priest refuse communion to the inappropriately dressed woman when she approaches to receive? For example, a woman comes dressed with a short dress or bare shoulders in the church, and she ...
Thom's user avatar
  • 2,029
3 votes
2 answers
854 views

Mitred women in the Catholic Church?

Mitred women in the Catholic Church? Historically, we know that there were women in the Early Church, who were non-ordained deaconesses. I know that male deacons and even kings have been given the ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
1k views

Female Sunday School teachers for 17, 18 year old male students? [closed]

This verse has been used to say that women should not hold the office of pastor: I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 1 Tim 2:12. Yet at least ...
pterandon's user avatar
  • 4,851
3 votes
1 answer
128 views

Can theological trends explain reasons for male / female divide in (US) worship?

It's been said that women are better represented in the pews of US congregations. This link says it's 61% female. Questions: 1) Is the ratio this strong if you account for higher female longevity? ...
pterandon's user avatar
  • 4,851
3 votes
1 answer
168 views

Are there any Christian traditions that say anything about feminism?

I'm wondering if the topic of feminism is ever discussed or approached with critical, religious perspective within any Christian tradition.
rpeg's user avatar
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