The Bible Teaches Male Headship in the Home and the Church

[wigina]

d states holds first lest it be swept away. Many things have entered the church in form of modernization and trends. Tatoos, plaiting, revealing apparels. And all manner of ills. Are we gonna stand? Women have always been  the stabilizing factor when matters  wrong and that is evident in all the scripture that mention women. This is their role. Who will then do this duty? I believe that we have a God of order. Who is merciful and gives each  according to his ability .

[Richard Myers]

Amen, wignia. You do not have to fear about women not being there to keep things moving in the right direction. From my view,  it appears there are more consecrated women than men. They are indeed strong to do good. The strong men in throughout history have their mothers to thank for their characters which were generally formed by age six. The results of faithful mothers will be more clearly seen in heaven. And, when men have not done their duty, strong women have stepped in and done it for them.  We see the same today.

[Plain Adventist]

This quotation may have been cited here before, but in studying another topic I came upon it. I think it is quite useful:

"God distinguished Aaron by choosing him and his male posterity for the priesthood." 3T 295.

It was God who made this selection and clearly He chose only the men to be priests. This was not just the custom of the day. It was God's choice. He did not choose the Levite women to be priests.

[Mimi]

That is a good find. Thank you, Amy.

[Richard Myers]

God did choose women prophets. Why women prophets and not women priests? Why would there be a difference?

[colporteur]

God did choose women prophets. Why women prophets and not women priests? Why would there be a difference?

Is there a difference between a mail man and the captain of an army ?

[Richard Myers]

To compare a captain and a priest is good, but what is a mail-man to a prophet? A prophet and a priest both have spiritual authority. C p, can you clarify a little more?

[colporteur]

Like most analogies they are not perfect but I'll try here. Let's refer to the Lord as "the General" and the conference presidents as Captains, pastors as lieutenants and elders as sergeants. Military men may correct me on the break down of the hierarchy.  The mailman/prophet is a messenger from the General to the lower officers and to the soldiers in general. The messenger is as critical  in the military as the officers, maybe more so, however, the messenger does not give orders of their own making. The Captain and other officers give orders as a result of reading older reliable messages ( the Bible) and their orders are also refined and applied accordingly as a result of  messages from current mailmen/prophets, if the more recent messages harmonize with the older . As critical as the messenger/mailman/prophet is in terms of getting the message through the mailman/ prophet has no military rank of his/her own.  The ranking officers give all of their orders based off of the messages delivered by the prophets. The messenger/mailman/prophet has authority because of what they carry and not because man elected them to an office. Does that make sense or did I confuse the matter ?

[Richard Myers]

Thank you, cp. That is very good. A prophet is called to give a message. Yes, we are all called to give a message, but a prophet has a pure message that comes directly from God, whereas, we learn from the Bible, the inspiration of other prophets. A prophet does not have authority to lead a church, but to give a message to the church and those that are called to lead the church.

If the church wishes to make a prophet a conference president, then that is up the church. It does not come automatically. There is a difference between the office of prophet and that of conference president. According to the inspired writings we have, the church may elect a man to the office of conference president, but not a woman, prophet or no prophet. It is a Biblical matter. Are there cases where a woman may be in the lead of men? Yes, it is when men have failed. It is a shame according to Scripture. "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." Isaiah 3:12. Sadly, the world is under the control of Satan and now there is no difference between women and men. This has come into the churches, the world is in the church. We have a woman as a conference president in the North American Division and not one objection from "Korah, Dathan, Abiram" and the 162 princes. They are responsible for this and unless they repent, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah on judgment day.

How does God look at those who usurp the authority of Scripture and place those not called into such a position? We have a record and it applies to those who support such a thing, not just the one who usurped the position of church authority:  "And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:  Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?  And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?  For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?" Numbers 16:8-11.  God is not pleased. What was His response to those in rebellion? "The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that [appertained] unto Korah, and all [their] goods.  They, and all that [appertained] to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation."  Numbers 16:32-33. What about the others who supported Korah, Dathan, and Abiram?  "And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense." 16:35.

[Mimi]

Andrews Theologians Approve Statement on Headship
The statement emphasizes the equality of men and women as members of the body of Christ.
Posted August 22, 2014

The faculty of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University has voted a statement on Biblical concepts of headship, the university said Friday.

Teachers at the church’s main North American training ground for pastors adopted a seven-page study titled, “On the Unique Headship of Christ in the Church.”

The document, approved Thursday, “represents a consensus of the seminary faculty who created this document as a service to the worldwide church,” the university said in a statement.

“I am excited to offer to the church this biblical-theological study that uplifts the unique headship of Christ in the church,” seminary dean Jiří Moskala said. “It is my hope that it will significantly contribute to the current debates on leadership.”

The document opens by unequivocally declaring that the church’s head, or leader, is no one other than Christ.

“While there exists legitimate leadership in the church, no other human being may rightfully claim a headship role in the church,” it says. “As head of the church, Christ provides the ultimate manifestation of God’s love, demonstrating and vindicating God’s moral government of love, and thus defeating the counterfeit government of the usurping ‘ruler of this world.’”

The Review - read more ...

[Cop]

The document, approved Thursday, “represents a consensus of the seminary faculty who created this document as a service to the worldwide church,” the university said in a statement.

Our betters have spoken!! The majority of the seminary have here stated their support for WO and have, "created this document as a service to the worldwide church", so that the learned, who know what is best for we unlearned, may guide us in the correct way of thought. 

“Since Christ is the unique Husband of the church (Christ’s metaphorical bride), the members of the church cannot themselves be husbands of the church but collectively, men and women together, are the bride of Christ,” it says.

The statement does affirm that God created man and woman equal in the Garden of Eden, and it says that God desires to restore that equality. “Although various interpretations of Gen 3:16 have recognized some kind of post-Fall disruption of this pre-Fall egalitarian ideal, the Bible consistently calls us back to God’s original plan for full equality without hierarchy (Song 7:10; Isa 65:17, 25; cf. Gen 1:29-30),” the statement says.

One can read this article and easily see that this document is slanted towards WO and refuses to speak truth.

“Ellen White also underlines this redemptive paradigm: ‘Woman should fill the position which God originally designed for her, as her husband’s equal, (AH 231),” it says.

Why do these educators not quote more from this statement of EGW? Are they afraid of the truth? The quoted statement from Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene in its context is speaking of the woman's duty to train up the children in the Way of the Lord: "
The Hebrews were taught how to train their children so that they might avoid the idolatry and wickedness of the heathen nations: “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” [Deuteronomy 11:18, 19.] CTBH 77.2

Woman should fill the position which God originally designed for her, as her husband’s equal. The world needs mothers who are mothers not merely in name, but in every sense of the word. We may safely say that the distinctive duties of woman are more sacred, more holy, than those of man. Let woman realize the sacredness of her work, and in the strength and fear of God take up her life mission. Let her educate her children for usefulness in this world, and for a home in the better world.

The position of a woman in her family is more sacred than that of the king upon his throne. Her great work is to make her life an example such as she would wish her children to copy. And by precept as well as example, she is to store their minds with useful knowledge, and lead them to self-sacrificing labor for the good of others. The
great stimulus to the toiling, burdened mother should be that every child who is trained aright, and who has the inward adorning, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, will shine in the courts of the Lord.

I entreat Christian mothers to realize their responsibility, and to live, not to please themselves, but to glorify God. Christ pleased not himself, but took upon him the form of a servant. He left the royal courts, and clothed his divinity with humanity, that by his own example he might teach us how we may be exalted to the position of sons and daughters in the royal family, children of the heavenly King. But what are the conditions upon which we may obtain this great blessing?—“Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.” [2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.] CTBH 77-78

[Richard Myers]

The document, approved Thursday, “represents a consensus of the seminary faculty who created this document as a service to the worldwide church,” the university said in a statement.

Our betters have spoken!! The majority of the seminary have here stated their support for WO and have, "created this document as a service to the worldwide church", so that the learned, who know what is best for we unlearned, may guide us in the correct way of thought. 

“Since Christ is the unique Husband of the church (Christ’s metaphorical bride), the members of the church cannot themselves be husbands of the church but collectively, men and women together, are the bride of Christ,” it says.

The statement does affirm that God created man and woman equal in the Garden of Eden, and it says that God desires to restore that equality. “Although various interpretations of Gen 3:16 have recognized some kind of post-Fall disruption of this pre-Fall egalitarian ideal, the Bible consistently calls us back to God’s original plan for full equality without hierarchy (Song 7:10; Isa 65:17, 25; cf. Gen 1:29-30),” the statement says.

One can read this article and easily see that this document is slanted towards WO and refuses to speak truth.

That is right, Cop. When I read this statement by the "teachers" of the leaders of God's church in North America, I hear them saying the church has no leaders, we are all equal. They are destroying the church organization God created. We need no pastors now any more than humanity did before Adam sinned. These esteemed teachers of  teachers show their ignorance of Scripture and plain simple rational thought. They are working their way out of job in a church where we are all equal and there are no instructors or leaders. Christ is our teacher and leader and we need no more. Such blatant political dribble.  They have revealed they are unfit as Bible instructors and that the institution they represent is far from where it ought to be. We recognize that this statement does not represent all of the professors at the seminary.

It is most important that we understand they have done great damage to the Word of God in other more important areas. The gospel of grace has been perverted by this institution because the very same teachers who lack spiritual discernment in regards to authority within the home and church, have been passing on their false gospel to the pastors who now stand in pulpits throughout North America. They have been busy baptizing those who have never died to self. It is not something that has just begun, but a practice that reveals the backsliding of the ministry for many years.

"The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ (MS 148, 1897).  Volume 6  Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, pg 1075.

Notice the date, 1897. It contradicts those who teach the church accepted the 1888 message. It did not, for nine years later they were still perverting the gospel to the degree that they did not understand what the new birth was, a transformation of character, a new life in Christ Jesus filled with His Spirit.

God has a church, and in it are faithful ministers. But, what we read in this statement is not coming from them. They were excluded. The world church is much larger and wiser than the leaders of the North American Division. We thank God for the organized church with authority given by God to its leaders. The North American Division does not properly recognize that authority and has usurped it by moving contrary to their own bylaws. They attempted to change those bylaws and make women presidents of conferences, but they undid their rebellious bylaw change and are now moving in an open manner to accomplish the very same action. They have encouraged and allow a woman conference president in the Southeastern California Conference. We see that this rebellion is supported and encouraged by a majority at the seminary at Andrews.

The General Conference has said no to their actions and will again vote on the matter next year at San Antonio. What will the seminary do then? They will continue their rebellion, for rebellion is seldom curable. We pray for those who are part of the rebellion whose hearts are not yet hardened to the point of no return. This is more than giving women the pulpit and paying them to work with their husbands in pastoral ministry. It is usurping the authority God has given to His chosen leaders. This is rebellion against God and His church. We have been told the future. Let us not be discouraged as the rebellion continues, but see this as the fulfillment of prophecy. Looking beyond the appearance of the church falling, we know it will not. There is a great sifting that must take place before the church is ready to accept the multitudes that will come in. We are entering that "shaking" period. By faith we stand on the Word of God, with God and His Church.

[LindaRS]

I noticed that no professors assigned their names to the project. Are they unwilling to take responsibility for what they have written? Will those who disagree publish a paper stating their disagreement with the seminary statement and will they sign their names to it? If such a statement is forthcoming, I imagine their will willing sign their names.

[Cop]

Amen and amen, my brother!!

It is most important that we understand they have done great damage to the Word of God in other more important areas. The gospel of grace has been perverted by this institution because the very same teachers who lack spiritual discernment in regards to authority within the home and church, have been passing on their false gospel to the pastors who now stand in pulpits throughout North America. They have been busy baptizing those who have never died to self.

They have renounced the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of the way to salvation. They have rejected God and Heaven. They have renounced truth for a false gospel that teaches a lie of Satan, a lie about having a higher self-esteem, a lie of self-pride. There is no salvation on the road down which they lead us. There is no forgiveness and victory over sin. There is no need of a Savior. The savior they present is a savior of self-love that has no need of Christ.

The Church is Christ's bride and it will go on to victory. He will protect it and defend it. The SDA Church is God's Remnant Church and is the True Church. I do not necessarily believe that the SDA Church organization is the 'Church'. I believe the Church are the members, composed of the body of Christ that truly love Him above all else and obey Him. It is at this time scattered among many different organizations until the Latter Rain falls and the H.S. leads them out to obey and follow Jesus in Truth.

May He give us faith to stand firm upon Jesus.

[colporteur]

I keep an email from a certain Conference president every time he gets something from Andrews supporting WO. The question I just asked him was " Does Andrews decide these things or does the GC in session decide them ? Since when does Andrews represent the world church ? It was the main  "theologians" at the time of Christ that were the church's biggest problem.

[Cop]

It was the main  "theologians" at the time of Christ that were the church's biggest problem.

Amen!

[Mimi]

From NAD News Notes this morning:


8-28-14 Andrews Theological Seminary Releases Major Statement on Headship
.

By Julio C. Muñoz
 
The faculty of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary voted and released a statement on August 21, which unequivocally reaffirmed Christ as the head of the church and sought to be a unifying voice in the church regarding the current debate on leadership.
 
The statement, which went through a rigorous vetting process by the faculty of the Andrews University-based seminary, warned against the teaching of male headship in the church. Introducing such teachings into the church, according to the theologians, may result in “significant doctrinal aberrations.” It also cautioned against the misuse of authority.
 
“As the faculty of the SDA Theological Seminary we affirm that Jesus Christ is the only head of the Church and to Him we are totally submitted,” said Dr. Jiri Moskala, Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, in an exclusive interview with NewsPoints. “We are committed to follow His leadership. He can delegate authority of leadership, but it is always a servant (and not a headship) leadership role.”
 
The document, in very clear language, states that only Christ can be the head of the church, “…while there exists legitimate leadership in the Church, no other human being may rightfully claim a headship role in the Church.”
 
Dr. Moskala stated that the Seventh-day Adventist Church, like several of the early protestant reformers, agree that Christ is the only head of the church. He cited the example of Jan Hus, the 15th Century Czech reformer, who was the first to write a theological treatise on godly headship, and it cost him his life. In 1415 Hus was burned at the stake in Germany.
 
“Now we need to put it on another level. No human being – either male or female, in whatever capacity, pastor, church elder, Conference, Union, Division or General Conference president, may usurp this position from Christ,” said Dr. Moskala. “It means that we need to be consistent and should not speak about male or female headship in the church.”
 
The process of developing this statement was thorough and included “very careful study of the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy.” The document underwent several drafts.
 
“It represents a consensus of the Seminary faculty who created this document as a service to the worldwide Church,” said Dr. Moskala. “It was discussed at the Theology and Christian Philosophy Department, the Seminary SDA Faith Committee, the Dean’s Council, and two faculty meetings. It was passed by overwhelming vote.”
 
The faculty of the seminary and its leadership hope the document will be a unifying element in the current leadership debate.
 
“I am excited to offer to the worldwide Church this biblical-theological study that uplifts the unique headship of Christ in the Church. It is my hope that it will significantly and positively contribute to the current debates on servant leadership,” said Dr. Moskala.
 
“I am grateful,” Dr. Moskala continues, “for the faculty that is dedicated to the Church and its mission, and worked diligently and prayerfully to produce this statement. I praise the Lord for their commitment to God’s cause and unselfish service, and wonderful spirit of cooperation among my faculty. I pray that this document will play and prove to be a unifying influence in the Church.”

“Now we need to put it on another level. No human being – either male or female, in whatever capacity, pastor, church elder, Conference, Union, Division or General Conference president, may usurp this position from Christ,” said Dr. Moskala. “It means that we need to be consistent and should not speak about male or female headship in the church.”

And these people train theology students. Satan has his minions well placed within the ivory towers of our theological institutions. Not only do they create an erroneous interpretation of Scripture and the Spirit of prophecy, but they also tell us not to speak of it.

Galatians 1:9  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Jeremiah 5:21-31 -  Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

[colporteur]

 
I would like Andrews to answer the question then "what is the role of the elder and pastor" if not to lead ?

 If they do not like the biblical word "head" then would they prefer "leader ?" Same difference.

 Would they like us to follow their lead and "fire" all pastors and remove the elders in the church...unless they are women ?

There has never been any question about Christ being the head of the church. There has never been any question either about the position of an elder/pastor being male until the feminist movement in America.

It sounds like Andrews is saying either women are in or everyone is out. Another way of putting it is "my way or the highway."

Andrews with their pitbull mentality  is attempting to make this issue something it is not. Satan is good at that. They are trying to make this a battle between men and Christ. The Scriptures say that the man is the head of the woman and he is the head of the home. Is man the ultimate head of the home or is it Christ ? Christ is the head of all. That is a no brainer as they say. Christ Himself laid down not only in Scripture but in His very actions the protocol for church leadership. Call it head ship call it leadership, it is essentially the same thing. They are playing a semantics game because they think "leadership" is a softer word than "headship." They suppose they can gain more ground by using this word and preferable no word.

Since Christ is the head of all I would suggest all the theologians and faulty at Andrews be fired. After all, Christ is the head of Andrews...... or at least He used to be. By the way, Dan Jackson should be fired as well. Christ is the head/president of the NAD not Mr. Jackson.

Satan would love to see that happen. He would relish breaking the SDA church down into a congregational church where each one does what is right in his own eyes. Either women lead and then homosexuals take the pulpits or else there is essentially no leadership in the church because Christ is the ultimate head. The church is going through but these rebels will be sifted out.

Many do this same thing with the SOP. They pit it against the Bible. Rather than accept both in their proper sphere of authority they demand that it is one or the other. Now they do the same with male headship/leadership. To claim that to retain male headship in the church is to rival Christ is irresponsible but that's what rebellion is and they will do the same with homosexuals. They will claim we are all one, we are all priests, and who is to say that homosexuals cannot be elders etc.. ?

[colporteur]

 This reminds me of the Willow Creek movement. The fruit of Willow Creek in the fallen churches is blaringly clear and yet we still have people that think that the reason WC has not worked in our churches is because we did not baptize it quite properly and if we do it will work.

The fruit of women's ordination is not a secret. It is most clearly seen in the churches in babylon where  it leads. And yet confused and worldly rebels in our church insist  that WO must happen or else we cannot finish the work. They refuse to accept what is revealed to clearly be the fruit of this diversion from the Bible and from what Christ personally laid down in the first NT church. Of course they also think that we must change our fundamental rules of Bible interpretation, our music, and our entire worship services in order to finish the work. The day is coming when these same people will propose that the only way to finish the work is to unify with the world and observe Sunday as the Sabbath. They will keep adding on requirements to finish the work, each one being a more severe diverting from the gospel commission. That would be finishing the work all right, but not the work of Christ at the head.

It is likely that Andrews will soon blow its pufe love cover and lose temper. As desperation mounts will we  see a greater thrust to stifle discussion ? It is already implied that we ought not discuss this if we oppose WO.
They can not have it both ways. Either we have heads/leaders in the church or we do not. One cannot be a leader with out being the head of something. To lead means for others to follow. To head something means for others to follow the leading.  Interesting that those who say there is no headship anywhere in the church other than Christ are  being the head by trying to stifle discussion on the subject. Isn't that hypocritical ?

[Richard Myers]

The battle continues to expand. Rebellion grows by the day. The church will appear as it is about to fall. Take courage from the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus is coming soon!

"The document, in very clear language, states that only Christ can be the head of the church, '…while there exists legitimate leadership in the Church, no other human being may rightfully claim a headship role in the Church.'”  They are not very bright in their rebellion.  The very same thing they must now apply to the home. Is not Christ the head of the home also? According to them, what man can say God appointed man to be the head of the home? The seminary has tarnished their reputation for being a Bible based institution. They are not any more. It is good they have published the paper, for now all may understand that they have been leading pastors astray for many years.  This new teaching on making women rulers of men is not the foundation of our faith. They have perverted the gospel of grace also. Now, all may see there is a most serious problem coming from the teachers of our teachers (leaders) in the North American Division. Now we understand why the heads of the churches are baptizing many who have never died to self. The heads of conferences in the NAD, who are no longer seen as leaders, but now followers of new traditions, have been trained by the seminary and are leading their churches away from Biblical doctrine.

We need to be prepared from what is coming upon the church. It ought not take any by surprise. We have called it rebellion for almost 15 years.

In context, just one passage of Scripture sets aside the human wisdom manifested by a majority of the "teachers" at Andrews Seminary. From 1 Corinthians:

 11:3   But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God. 
 11:4   Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head. 
 11:5   But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 
 11:6   For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 
 11:7   For a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 
 11:8   For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 
 11:9   Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 

There is authority in the church. Andrews Seminary is rebelling against that authority and have attempted to remove "authority" given to men in the home and the church. But, they will never give up the authority they have. It is all dribble that any truly converted Christian who holds the Bible as the inspired guide for the church can discern. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram established the pattern for rebellion in the church. Their followers may attempt to remove authority in the church, but they are naked before the world in revealing they are in fact attempting to seize power never given to them by God. The world church said "no" to them three times and they refuse to submit. Rebellion is what this is called and it will be seen as such by the whole world before this ends. There is safety only in Christ. As we abide in Him and He in us, as we stand on His Word, we shall be safe from whatever befalls us and His church.