I wish I knew a definitive answer. The only thing I would say is to look to
other scripture and examples to support scripture.  I've heard  preachers
say  why Paul says for women to be silent  in church, but I am not certain
of the accuracy of their cultural explanation of scripture. We have to be
careful not to twist Scripture according to our own designs or what we may
quote, feel, unquote, God telling us, in any aspect I suppose. It is not
popular for sure to take these scriptures literally, and I happen to know
some really wise women who teach, yet god said  these things. Way back in
the garden God told woman man ought rule over you, which is again not a
popular thought, but I think related to why God may have said what he did
about being silent. But then we have female prophets by example. We have
grown to such a liberated society, in so many ways, not just women, that I
think we are a bit removed from what ought be perhaps. And justified by
excuse of cultural and age differences between then and now. Our church for
instance, being a Baptist church, will not allow a woman to sit in elder
position. You will not see a woman teach at the pulpit, they will teach
Sunday School, as my wife and daughter have in fact done that. You will see
woman sit on advisory type councils, but not listed as elders. I am
probably as much in question as you are on this one and confused when I
look at Scripture's literal writing, yet see where woman were in fact used
but perhaps not as teachers of the gospel but supporters of it as Paul
said? This would be a good topic to study as it tends to be abused by men,
and taken offensive by women. I'm sure God has a balance or perfect will in
which we ought live by, and are we there now??? Good question.

Brad





stephanie wrote:
>Hi everyone,
>Hope you don't mind, but I have a few questions. They have been bothering
>me for a while now so I thought I would ask here.
>
>The first one is about applying things in the bible. Ok so if God expects
>us to do something and we don't, then we are disobeying? Two examples I can
>think of. Titus 2 says a woman should be a keeper at home. And women are to
>be silent in church, not permitted to teach. Ok so if a woman works, or
>preaches, then they aren't doing what God wants? But if they feel lead of
>God to teach, work, then they must do that? So how do we know when to take
>the bible literally and when to do what we feel lead to do?
>
>Hope that made sense.
>Steph

Brad

   The hardest position to fill is one with someone in it