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** see article here ** http://www.insearchoftruth.org/articles/female_leadership.html

I have a question about the role of women as prophetesses. I in particular use the old testiment example Deborah. All of Israel came to her for answers. This would show that the men and women sought the Lord through her.

Also Anna the prophetess spoke about Jesus and his role to both Josph and Mary and whoever else was around.

I am just trying to get to some understanding about these things. I have a desire to be in line with scripture, but sometimes I think we don't fully understand the full counsel of God and may sometimes miss it.

Thank you for your time
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[m273p15c]

This is a very good question. Thanks for bringing it up!

Truly Deborah taught men in the Old Testament. Does this contradict the command given in the New Testament? Since Paul used the Old Law as partial justification for his directive, we must conclude that Deborah, Anna, and other Old Testament prophetesses served in a capacity, which was consistent with the New Testament directive ("as also the law says", I Corinthians 14:34). Therefore, we must strive to find the harmony between these Old Testament examples and the New Testament command. ... Let us examine the examples and commands more closely to see if we can find some reason why these examples were not subject to the command reissued and expounded in the New Testament:

1. Limited to the assembly - The context of Paul's command given in I Corinthians 14 is limited to the assembly ("Whenever you come together", v.26; "keep silent in the church", v.28; "let your women keep silent in the churches", v.34; "let them ask their own husband at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in the church", v.35). When we compare this to the examples and Anna, we notice that Debora sat under a palm tree, and people came to her. As for Anna, she simply "gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption in Jerusalem" (Luke 2:36-38). Neither one of the examples provided offer any suggestion, much less proof, that Deborah or Anna spoke or directed an assembly.
   
   Does this mean a woman has unlimited reign to teach men outside of the assembly?
   
   
2. Limited to "teaching over" a man - Notice that these passages do not say that a woman cannot teach, or even that she cannot teach a man. Instead, it shows that she is commanded not to "teach or to have authority over a man" (I Timothy 2:12). A woman's submission to the man prevents her from directing a class or preaching in assembly ("learn in silence with all submission", I Timothy 2:11; "for they are not permitted to speak, but they are to be submissive", I Corinthians 14:34), but it does not prohibit her from humbly answering questions in private, especially when a man comes to her for advice. This is the exact context of Deborah's prophesying and judging: "And she would sit under the palm tree ... and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment." (Judges 4:5).

Therefore, a woman may very well instruct a man, as long as she maintains her place of submission. As practical application, this can be accomplished if she limits herself to privately answering questions and asking questions, and if she avoids roles of instruction that include presiding over a class or assembly; controlling the direction, content, or tone of class; making arguments or refuting arguments; aggressive or heated discussions; etc. Each of these actions manifest leadership, which presumes authority over male participants.

Another good example of women serving in private teaching of adult males would be Priscilla. Aquilla and Priscilla, a husband and wife, together taught Apollos (Acts 18:24-26). Admittedly, she taught with her husband who would have clearly taken the leading role, but she must have had some part in the teaching; otherwise, she would not have been mentioned.

This may seem a tight line and a difficult one to walk. Maybe that's why most of the women who exemplify this behavior were inspired. Certainly, that made it easier for the woman to decide what language would be submissive. However, Priscilla does not seem to have been inspired, so we still have a positive example that a woman can privately teach a man, if a woman is careful to maintain her place.

Incidentally, Huldah (II Kings 22:13-15) is another good example of your point, very similar to Deborah. She served as a prophetess, but again, men were sent to her private abode. We have no record of her directing assembly, preaching, etc. Furthermore, Phillip the evangelist had 4 virgin daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9), but again, there is no evidence that they ever preached, directed an assembly, or ever taught over a man. Notice the pattern is that men came to these women privately asking questions. There is no record of these women preaching, directing an assembly, or teaching in any way that controlled, limited, or dominated the man.

Finally, please keep in mind that such women were the exception, not the rule. Far more men served in the place of prophet and teacher. The fact that female prophetesses are not even common knowledge speaks to this anomaly. Also, please notice that Deborah was forced into her position, because a man was unwilling to take his place as leader.

I pray that this answer will prove to be spiritually profitable to you. If you have any unanswered questions or concerns, please let me know. Like you, I want to understand God's will on this point, as in all points.

[Maureen]

I also have a question about the article. In one section it specifically states that "women are not to teach or have authority over a man." The article then goes on to speak about how the roles of men and women, while different, are completely equal. Forgive me if I seem naive, but unless 'a man cannot teach or have authority over a woman' I sincerely doubt that their is true equality. All the article did was seperate the rolls of men and women and, then because they were in different spheres and couldn't truely be compared the author said they were equal. So my question here is rather simple, are men and women equal, can a woman do anything a man can do? The article says absolutely not, and points to the exile from the garden, and how 'easily' Eve was decieved, but how Adam was not. Did I miss something, is Adam still in the garden?
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[m273p15c]

Hello Maureen,

These are very good questions, and they certainly demand worthy clarification of the article.