Questions tagged [women]
teachings about women or female characters
75
questions
53
votes
4
answers
79k
views
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,...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
16
votes
5
answers
16k
views
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 ...
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?
14
votes
4
answers
1k
views
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 ...
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 ...
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?
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
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 ...
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
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 ...
10
votes
2
answers
5k
views
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
8
votes
1
answer
666
views
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, ...
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 ...
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?...
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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.
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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?
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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?
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 ...
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....
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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?
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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?
...
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.