Chapter 4
Role of the Women in the Church
One of the most prevalent changes in recent years has been the new role of women in society. Women now have jobs in the business, and public life, which were previously reserved for men, and many are serving with distinction in important positions. By and large Christian women have adopted themselves to this situation without forgetting spiritual values, such as looking to the Lord to keep them and His Word to guide them. But others have found other reasons for attacking the scriptures, and demanding that they be re-written in order to purge them of sexism. Indeed, even the Almighty Himself is being accused of sexual discrimination, because of the Father-Son relationship taught in the Bible. In 1995 Feminist made great strides to modify some versions of the Bible and Hymnals by removing all the gender differences from them.1 This corrupted version addressed God as Father-mother. This is not just incredibly poor scholarship, but it also lowers Almighty God to a mythological pagan hermaphroditic god.
Other contemporary, self anointed feminist theologians contend that since women have proved their worth in so many walks of life, why can they not be "Ordained" on the same footing as men?
Thus, the Bible is being assailed by some, and ignored by others. Those who should be vocal in upholding it remain strangely silent, while modernists, humanists and feminists discredit it with every opportunity they can. Most people today do not even read the Bible, and they only know about it from superficial discussions regarding women in the church as it has been presented from the liberal leftist news media.
Galatians 3:28 says: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (NKJV)." This verse is misquoted by feminist groups. The truth is that the whole chapter is a carefully reasoned exposition of the fundamental doctrine of justification and salvation through faith in Christ alone, without regard to one's race, sex or status in life. Although believers inherit "the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ", they are all indwelt by the same Holy Spirit and are children of God. However, the New Testament recognizes the distinction that exists between husbands and wives, parents and children, employees and employer, etc. We likewise are taught that, though under the same master, we differ from one another in the matter of spiritual gifts, and spheres of service. However, the Lord has a work for each to do, whether young or old, male or female. Yet, no where in the church or in the Scriptures is there any evidence of women being given the place of leadership that some would claim for them today. The new covenant certainly does not provide any such distinction. Gal 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (NKJV)." There is no distinction racially or otherwise in this new standing before God, into which every believer is introduced, by the work of Christ. It is a spiritual relationship that cannot be applied to human relationships. This difference between man and women will continue until our glorification. Otherwise marriage relationships would no longer apply and large sections of the New Testament would cease to have relevance.
Can a Woman Preach in the Church?
Despite the decisions of several large protestant groups to "ordain" women as ministers and preachers, 1 Corinthians 14:34 is clearly against that view as seen here: "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says (NKJV)." Furthermore, 1st Timothy 2:11-14 also clearly indicates that a woman should remain silent in the Churches. This does not mean that she cannot include her voice with others in congregational songs and collective expressions of praise to the Lord. The literal meaning of these statements is that a woman should not teach men. This is one of the responsibilities God has specifically committed to man, as his representative. However, verses 3-5 of Titus 2 indicate that godly and elderly women do have special teaching functions, which is among younger women and the members of the family. Clearly this includes children and a woman may thus count upon the blessings of God in undertaking teaching tasks at schools including "Sunday School". In apostolic and Old Testament times women were endowed with the gift of prophecy. However, that does not contradict these positions, because the precise sphere and action of their ministry is not explained. Furthermore, prophecy is a gift, and not a role that is intended to be part of a family. We can be sure, however that scripture never contradicts itself nor does God always explain every little problem that may occur in the world.
Should a woman wear a head covering in the Church gatherings? Almost all denominations except Roman Catholics and Plymouth Brethren teach that head covering was a cultural instruction only for the first century, and not applicable today. Is this tradition or truth? What is taught on the subject in the Bible, especially from the Corinthian epistles? In one important and basic aspect, the women's liberation movement to day is sadly behind the times, because its basic goal was achieved centuries ago with the birth of Christianity. One of the distinctive characteristics of the gospel of Jesus Christ, wherever it has been preached, has been to elevate womanhood from the degradation of heathenism and slavery to a place of nobility. All other religions debase the woman. The gospel liberates her and entrusts to her a God-given ministry, uniquely designed for her. God has designated man to represent Christ on earth. He made man the head over his wife. For this reason it is explained, he should not wear a head covering as some religious groups, such as certain Jewish sects, have done traditionally. In contrast the woman who represents the Church, should cover her own head in the presence of men when both are together in public gatherings.
Paul's instruction for the head covering of women was not due to cultural reasons. By not allowing himself to wear a head covering, Paul was going against the culture prevalent in that area at that time. In the middle east, most men wear a head cover, and many of the Christian groups adopt the idea of head coverings for their bishops from that ancient system. Still many Arabs, and Jewish men, have some type of head cover. So there is no substance in the argument that Paul was instructing for the head to be covered due to cultural reason.
Headship and the Divine order of Authority
There is no doubt that God has his special order in the world as is seen in 1 Corinthians 14:40: " Let all things be done decently and in order (NKJV)." Then God's divine order of authority is given in 1 Corinthians 11:3: "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God (NKJV)." There is no thought of inferiority, superiority. The issue is order. So in His universe God has established order, world-order, home-order and church order. In Ephesians 5:23, it is related corporally to the whole body of the Church. In 1 Corinthians 11:3 His headship in the assembly is related individually to the believer. In 1 Corinthians 11:4, the covered head of the praying or prophesying man is said to be dishonoring to his head, because the head of every man is Christ. Here the simple words "to cover" are used. Thus, Christ must not be dishonored by his symbolic concealment, the covered head of the man. The woman is warned in 1 Corinthians 11:5 that she should cover her head. The uncovered head dishonors her figurative head, because the head of the woman is man. In this context when a man appears with his head covered or a woman with her head uncovered it is an implicit denial of the divine teaching regarding headship whether intentional or otherwise.
Glory
Glory has been described as a visible manifestation of inward nature. Man must not cover his head in the assembly, because he represents God as His image. Furthermore, he is the glory of God. If image is representation, then glory is manifestation. God's authority must be unchallenged, and His glory must not be hidden. This is the twofold reason for the uncovered head of the man. The woman is not spoken of as the image of men, but as his glory. Here it is not representation, but manifestation. The glory of man must not be manifested in spiritual exercises, therefore that glory must be covered. No glory but God's is to be seen in the spiritual realm. Thus, when the man sees the women's head covered he is reminded that his glory is covered there too. His public ministry is to be done so God alone receives glory.
Angels
The reason for the woman's head covering is also twofold. First, it is a natural one in 1 Cor.11:8 which shows that the man had precedence in the natural realm, and is therefore an image of God "For Adam was first formed, then Eve.(1 Tim 2:13, KJV)" The woman as steward of the coverings aids the man in his responsibility. Second, a spiritual reason is given in 1 Corinthians 11:10: "For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. (NKJV)" Other Scripture suggests that this act has some importance to angels in Ephesians 3:10: "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,(NIV)" Thus, God uses the church to teach the angels things of importance from His manifold wisdom.
How can these spirit beings learn about the significance of the Lordship of Christ, the place of the church and of the individual believer? Such things must be a mystery to them. God shows them by object lessons or symbols. When a woman comes into a church gathering with her head covered, she performs a ministry to the hosts of heaven. She becomes to the angel an object lesson of submission to divine headship. However there is an assurance in 1 Corinthians 11:11 that in terms of position there is no implication of superiority, because of gender. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11:12 that even though the first woman came out of man, ever since that time every man has come into the world from a woman. We are together "In the Lord".2
The double cover up
Some people justify their uncovered heads by quoting "But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. (1 Cor 11:15, NKJV)" However, a careful study of this verse would show that such an interpretation would be a weak substitute of the truth. Notice that for the woman there are two glories involved. She is a glory, because the woman is the glory of man 1 Cor.11:7. However, she also has a glory of her own, because her hair is a glory to her. For the glory that she is (the glory of man) God has given her a natural covering, her long hair. For the glory that she has (her hair), she must submit her will to cover that with another covering, which she places over her own glory. The Apostle Paul has some important notes about long hair on men. They are found in 1 Corinthians 11:14 "Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him (NKJV)?" Long hair is a symbol of glory for the woman. However, for a man to be wearing this glory is a paradox in the sight of God and of the angels. The glory of the woman must not be seen in the church.3
J. N. Darby on Head Covering
John Nelson Darby who was born in 1800, and was one of the pioneers of the Plymouth Brethren movement in England, taught dispensational theology. Until Darby’s teaching, the common belief was that the church was constituted by the Old and New Testament believers. He taught that the New Testament church was a mystery and that it originated on the day of Pentecost by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. His other views emphasize prophecy, restoration of Israel, end time events, the priesthood and eternal security of every believer, the pre-tribulation rapture, Christ’s millenial reign, new earth and heaven, etc. He also wrote "Synopsis of the Books of the Bible", which was about the matter of appropriate head covering, that he proposed as follows: "Observe here the way in which the apostle grounded his replies with regard to details on the highest and fundamental principles. The subject is a direction for women. They were not to pray without having their heads covered. To decide this question, simply of what was decent and becoming, the apostle lays upon us relationship and the order of the relationship subsisting between the depositories of God's glory and Himself, and brings in the angels to whom Christians, as a spectacle set before them, should present that of order according to the mind of God." The head of the woman is the man, the head of man is Christ, and of Christ, God. This is the chain of command ascending to Him who is Supreme. Then with respect to their relationship to each other, he adds, that the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man. Their relationship with other intelligent creatures that were aware of the order of the ways of God included that their heads were to be covered. This was necessary because the angels were spectators of the ways of God in the dispensation of redemption, and of the effect this marvelous intervention was to produce. However, man was not to cover his head, because he represented authority. In this respect he was invested, as to his position with the glory of God, of whom he was the image. The woman was to have her head covered as a token that she was subject to the man, her covering being a token of the power to which she was subject. Man however could not do without woman, nor woman without man. Finally, the apostle Paul appeals to the order of creation according to which a woman's hair, her glory and ornament, revealed in contrast with the hair of man that she was not made to present herself with the boldness of man before all. Her hair served as a veil, and portrayed modesty, and submission, which was her true position, and her distinctive glory. Some have suggested that the Lord Himself had long hair, although Scripture doesn't say anything about the length of his hair. It is clearly taught in the scriptures, that it is moral likeness to His Son that God desires man to strive for, and not his physical appearance. Indeed, the Bible indicates that there was nothing special or noteworthy in the Messiah's physical appearance that we should desire. This is seen in Isaiah 53:2: "He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him (NIV)."4
Now it is appropriate to ask, from where does this fashion of longhaired men come? Not from hippies or Beatniks as many would presume. In Revelation 9:1-11 the hordes of hell erupt from the pit. The Bible notes that they have the "faces of men and the hair of women". Just as the Lord is transforming His saints into a moral likeness of Christ, Satan seeks to conform a multitude of people into an appearance which produces a confusion of God's natural order. Confusion of the sexes has always been a work of depravity through the ages. It frequently has summoned the judgement of God. Long hair on men is a symbol of rebellion. Men had long hair in the previous centuries. However, the hair of women was much longer. There by, maintaining an obvious distinction between male and female.
References Cited
Time, 11/23/92, God and Women, A Second Reformation Sweeps Christianity, p. 52-58.
Nicholson, J. Boyd. The Head Covering: A Biblical Perspective. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Gospel Folio Press. p. 8
Ibid. p. 11
Darby, J.N. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible. V. 4. Addison, Illinois: Bible Truth Publishers, 1980. p. 231