Grant
Puritan Board Graduate
From an Exposition of 1 Timothy 2:11-15 by the Wales minister Geoffrey Thomas:
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I found the above 2 quotes very thought provoking and both seemed To be a faithful exegesis. The full sermon is very edifying and balanced. I was given this little booklet “Women Speaking in Church” from Solid Ground Christian Books. The pastor’s sermon can be found here:
Part 1 - http://geoffthomas.org/index.php/gtsermons/211-13-women-learning-and-under-authority-2/
Part 2 - http://geoffthomas.org/index.php/gtsermons/214-15-women-sinners-and-saved/
Due to recent discussions, I finally decided to read the little booklet.
P.S. And NO...the Minster does not let Adam off the hook, he notes that Adam though not deceived, went into the rebellion with eyes wide open, to his own shame.
So Eve swiftly lost the ability to reason correctly. She did not think through the issue. She did not consult her husband. She did not mistrust her feelings and cast herself on the Word of God crying to the Lord to help her. She listened to the serpent and decided herself that eating the fruit would be beneficial for knowledge. Her husband also fell, yes, but she alone lost the ability to reason correctly. So the apostle writing to Timothy is saying that this is another reason why women may not teach and have authority over men.
In response to this some people have argued saying that Eve’s weakness is invalidated by today’s educated women. Gary W. McHale replies, “This is an incredible statement. The twentieth century woman is superior to Eve in her ability to make moral judgments! In what way? Because of education. If this is true then is not twentieth century man also superior to Adam? They claim to be educated and superior to the women of the past – a 20th century woman depraved in nature (as men are as well), a slave to sin and raised up with human education has become superior to Eve. What kind of 20th century education is required to be superior to Eve? What grade level do you need to get to gain this status? Surely this comment about ‘today’s educated woman’ reminds you of the fact that Eve too thought that by eating the fruit she would gain superior knowledge. It appears to me that the feminists are repeating Eve’s mistake. This time they appeal to human knowledge, our educational system, and not to the Word of God as the basis for judgment” (“Adam and Eve Before the Fall,” Gary W.McHale, p.33, Canadian Christian Publications, 30 Harding Blvd. Ste. W.612, Richmond Hill, L4C 9M3, Canada). But Scripture clearly shows us that Eve was deceived while Adam wasn’t and that this difference is another justification for male authority at home and in church.
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Gary W McHale observes how in that very punishment itself male authority is demonstrated: “consider that the punishment given to the woman in no way affects the man, but the punishment given to the man also affects the woman. The man doesn’t receive pain during sexual intercourse with the woman, since that is his part of being fruitful, nor is the man told that he would desire the woman and be ruled by her. However, to toil the ground is unproductive and hard work for either gender, not just the man, and both also return to the dust of the ground. If man’s punishment is hard work then why is it hard work for the woman as well? If man is to return to the ground from whence he came then why doesn’t the woman return to the side of the man? All the punishments that Adam receive are also binding on Eve, but none of the punishments that Eve receive are binding on Adam. His punishment becomes her punishment because as the leader those under him are given his punishment as well” (ibid, p.34).
The citizens under the rule of King David suffered because of his wickedness. He was their federal head. So too Adam’s punishment is passed on to Eve because his was the primary role. The creation too groans because of Adam; the ground is cursed; the animals return to dust and they are in pain in childbirth – Eve’s punishment is passed on to them.
I found the above 2 quotes very thought provoking and both seemed To be a faithful exegesis. The full sermon is very edifying and balanced. I was given this little booklet “Women Speaking in Church” from Solid Ground Christian Books. The pastor’s sermon can be found here:
Part 1 - http://geoffthomas.org/index.php/gtsermons/211-13-women-learning-and-under-authority-2/
Part 2 - http://geoffthomas.org/index.php/gtsermons/214-15-women-sinners-and-saved/
Due to recent discussions, I finally decided to read the little booklet.
P.S. And NO...the Minster does not let Adam off the hook, he notes that Adam though not deceived, went into the rebellion with eyes wide open, to his own shame.
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