Appendix
by Jon Zens
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Appendix: Letters to Steve A. & Eric S.
Dear Steve/Eric,
Just received the March, 1993, “Woman*s Issue.” Just wanted to make a few comments as my time allows, for in a few areas I felt the presentation was weak. I agree that when you put ekklesia into an informal context, many aspect of the woman*s question fade into oblivion. But it still remains as a critical practical question since roughly half of the priesthood is female!
I take issue with your statement, Steve, that “in fact, there is not a single example in the entire New Testament of women teaching men.” That is a loaded way to put the matter. If you follow the reasoning below, which seems to conform to New Testament information, then you do in fact have examples of situations where women taught menlwomen in the assembly.
1. In Acts 2, Peter states that the gift of prophecy in the Messianic age will be exercised by both men and women.
2. Prophesying is a form of teaching in Paul*s mind. Not all teaching is prophesying, but all prophesying is a form of teaching (as is, for that matter, singing).
3. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul saw prophesying as central in Christian meetings.
4. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul had no problem with women praying or prophesying with men present, as long as they did these activities in a proper manner.
5. Philip had four daughters who prophesied. Are you prepared to argue that they never exercised their gifts (which involved “teaching” per #2 above) in the presence of males?
6. Thus there are clear examples in the New Testament where women prophesied (which was a form of teaching) with males present.
While, as you rightly note, “teaching and prophesying [are not] synonymous gifts . . . [and] are listed as two distinct, separate gifts,” you cannot avoid the fact that prophesying is still another form of teaching in the body of Christ. Thus, just because the two gifts are not identical does not get you off the hook.
You seem to assume that anytime a woman teaches men the Bible, she is in this action usurping authority. I challenge that. The New Testament never teaches this. To me, the issue is how a woman teaches, per 1 Corinthians 11.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:26, “each of you. . . has a teaching.” There is no contextual reason for limiting this remark to males, especially when Paul states in vv.23-24, “the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues. . . if all prophesy,” and in v.31, “you can all prophesy one by one so that all may learn and all may be exhorted.” The flow of 1 Corinthians 11, 12, 13, 14 is in line with Acts 2 — men and women may participate in body edification.
Other verses that qualify women*s ministry must not be used in such a way as to cancel out the clear perspectives of Acts 2, etc. To make my position clear at this point: I do not believe that women should be elders; but I do believe women*s gifts in the assembly should not be stifled. In the informal context of doing ekklesia I think the concern of a woman prophesying (teaching) men should subside.
Thanks for considering these brief thoughts.
Jon
June 19, 1993 Dear Eric/Steve,
Thanks for your replies of 4/25 (Eric) and 5/18 (Steve) to my letter.
Eric*s letter did not give me any reason to modify my original reasoning. Further, his letter did not seem to keep in mind what I was responding to. I was specifically questioning Steve*s remark, “there is not a single example in the New Testament of women teaching men.” As you point out, Eric, my crucial point is that Paul considered prophesying to be a form of teaching. I believe my point is well-taken. I*m surprised you would not agree with this, and that is why I felt no need to cite a text. Check out all the major scholarly studies on prophecy in the New Testament (David Hill, E. Earle Ellis, David Aune). They all assert that prophecy is a form of teaching. To cite a rather obvious text: “for you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted” (1 Corinthians 14:31). If one is “learning” from something that is being said, does that not imply that a form of teaching is going on? The fact that Paul wished for prophecy (which is understood), not tongues, to be central in the meeting implies some relationship to teaching does it not?
To return now to my presentation: women did prophesy (a form of teaching) in the assembly in the presence of all, hence Steve*s statement that there is no example of women teaching men in the New Testament is incorrect. Your statement, Eric, that it is a leap of logic for me to say that if women can participate in one form of teaching means they can participate in all, begs the question. My point was in response to Steve*s remark that there is no New Testament example of women teaching men. Wrong. There is a clear example of this. if women can participate in a form of teaching where men receive, then Steve*s universal remark at best, then, needs to be qualified. That was the point I was making, and still feel strongly that you both need to consider if you are to be faithful to New Testament data.
If we agree that it is important in hermeneutics to let the clear shed light on the vague, then I feel both feminists (women can do all) and those who hold to some stricter view of feminine participation need to allow what is clear to be heard. Both tend to skip over what is “clear” to the other side.
You are wrong, Eric, in saying that there is no Scripture to cite to prevent feminine elders. There is. A woman cannot be the husband of one wife. To assert that women can in proper ways teach men does not at all mean that they can also be elders, if the Word indicates that males are to be elders. Again, one can listen to what is clear in the New Testament. For you to say that the sex of elders is “not specifically addresses in the Bible” is beyond me. It is clearly addressed. If it is, then your last two paragraphs have no bearing on my original reasoning in my first letter.
My challenge still stands to you both: Acts 2 states clearly that men and women will prophesy; prophesying is central in Paul*s mind to Christian meetings; prophesying is a form of teaching with all present; hence, it is not faithful to the New Testament to say, without important qualification, that there is no example of women teaching men. I think you need to think through your position more carefully and make sure you do justice to what the New Testament states.
Yours by His grace,
Jon
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