Frankly Answered Questions - FAQs

Aren't the "only males can lead" commands cultural?

Q: (This question is a follow up to the previous email.) I was aware of the passages you mentioned. They seem to say only men should lead in the church, but aren't these commands meant for only those times, like Paul's command about women covering their hair in 1 Corinthians 11?

A: You've hit on a very common argument for women pastors, that is, Paul's commands were cultural. I'd accept that, if I could find a cultural reason or element in either of the two passages (1 Corinthians 14:33-38 and 1 Timothy 2:1-15). But these passages refer to "in all the congregations," "as the Law says," "I am writing to you the Lord's command," and the creation ordinances of Adam and Eve. There just isn't any hint of a cultural element here at all.

I grant you that there are some commands in Scripture that have a cultural element to them like "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (1 Corinthians 16:20) and head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11. I'm afraid in some people's mind this becomes a reason to completely dismiss or ignore the command, but I believe that is a mistake. I ask three questions when dealing with "cultural" commands (1) What is actually commanded. (2) What is the principle behind the command? (3) What would be a way to fulfill that command in an appropriate way in our culture?

Concerning 1 Corinthians 16:20, what is actually commanded? An affectionate greeting with an on-the-cheek kiss. What is the principle behind the command? We should show physical displays of affection for one another. What would be a way to fulfill that command in an appropriate way in our culture? A kiss to another man would mean something inappropriate in our culture! How about a hug? A handshake? A pat on the shoulder?

Concerning 1 Corinthians 11 and head coverings, I ask myself what is actually commanded? Paul commands "a sign of authority on the head" - see 1 Corinthians 11:10.

What is the principle behind the command? The issue of rejecting authority. Removing a head covering was a sign (in the Corinthian's culture) of women not wanting to be under subjection to anyone.

What would be a way to fulfill that command in our culture? Removing a heading covering or wearing a head covering doesn't really mean anything in our culture. What would be a sign of "women's liberation" in our culture? Burning a bra? (al la 1960s). Refusing to wear a wedding ring? Not taking the last name of a husband? Paul's command would be "Don't do that and do stick with the sign of authority in your culture."