Over at Jesus Creed Scot Mcknight is going to have a conversation regarding womens roll in church. Although I already have a beleif regarding the issue I’m still interested in seeing others interpretation. He began by asking what type of issues readers feel necessary to discuss. So of course a couple of guys brought up the typical versus regarding women in church (1 Corinthians 14:34-36 and 1 Timothy 2:12). But then a fellow mentioned Galatians 3:28. Feeling like I was out of the loop I went to that verse to see what it had to say. It says:
Galatians 3:28
28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Then I thought to myself…”And?”…Ok…Maybe I missed something in context. So I read the verse in the context of the chapter and this is what I got out of it.
Basically the chapter starts with this theme as interpreted by yours truly.
You dumb Galatians. Why do you think you are justified by living by the law? You aren’t! You are justified by faith. This was done so that the gentiles could get in on Abrahams goods. Then it goes on to talk about, The Promise and the law didn’t negate it, but was put in place until The Promise came. So now you think the law imparts righteouness? Nope. The only thing the law did was held you prisoner and pointed to the coming Promise because it was your only way out. And now you have a way out! Your not under the law anymore! You are now Sons of God! No, no your not God but you are heirs according to The Promise! So it doesn’t matter if your Asian, American, African, male or female. If you have faith in Christ and therefore belong to him there is no distinction of male or female. You are a Son of God, a Christian!
Where does this chapter say anything about women in church? Being generous the only thing I could say is that because God doesn’t see a distinction, women can serve in the same manner as men. But thats not whats its talking about. Its talking about regarding your salvation there is no difference. Where as in the other versus mentioned above(1 Corinthians 14:34-36 and 1 Timothy 2:12) it is reffering to conduct in church. And it is very specific.
People try to give examples of women that teach kids, or missionary women to say that it is allowed by churches that follow the no women leading doctrine. What you think because someone says a women should not be teaching a man that that means a women can’t raise her own kids? Or a women can’t witness? No its talking about women in relation to men in the church. People got to learn to stay on topic and read in context.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is regardless of how you feel about the issue at least read in context. Is that to systematic? Seriously, is there something I’m not catchng? Let me know.
Emergent disclaimer: I do not have a hold on truth nor do I claim so. I’m just trying to watch my doctrine like you.