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Bro. Turner:
 Do
the Scriptures regulate the place of women in modern society? RB
Reply:
God's
word "regulates" those who believe and will to follow.
Its rule is in the heart and is not forced upon anyone now,
although all must answer to God in judgment (1 Cor. 5:12-).
The
application of its principles are affected by current
circumstances (1 Cor. 7:26). Under certain conditions it was
best not to marry; but as a principle, "marriage is
honorable in all" (Heb. 13:4). "Modest apparel"
is demanded of Christians as a principle; but this does not bind
upon us the skirt lengths, hairstyles, or customs considered
"modest" in the first century. Brethren, use your head
for something more than a knob for hat or veil.
The
"place" of woman is clearly stated in 1 Cor. 11:3.
"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." Question: Is this degrading to
Christ? Should He have formed a protest, demanding equal rights?
In the divine realm He had equality (Phil. 2: 6), but His
function in our redemption demanded that He take a subordinate
"place" for a time. Likewise, in the human realm,
woman and man are equal before God (Gal. 3:28); equally
considered in the scheme of redemption, and equally blessed
eternally. But the woman has been given a functional position
subject to man. This is degrading only to one who disregards
God's right to assign functions.
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The
principle ("the head of the woman is the man") of 1
Cor. 11:3, is applied in following verses to hairstyles. The
styles themselves were "custom," something the
Corinthians could "judge in themselves," as relative
as "comely," and something dictated by
"nature" (vv. 13-16). (NOT laws of physical nature,
for this nature grows long hair on men as well as on women; but
patterns of conduct established by general usage.) Detail of
application will change; but not God's principle. The Christian
woman today regards man as her head, and conforms to
"usage" that so indicates.
The
principle ("the head of the woman is the man") is
applied in 1 Cor. 14:26-40 to women in a public gathering of the
church, where men prophets are speaking by the Spirit of God.
She was to be "silent" (sigao) under such
circumstances. In 1 Tim. 2:11-12 she is told to learn in
"quietness" (hesuchia- see AS), a reference to the
submissive attitude she must show. This word is also in v. 2,
translated "peaceable" in KJ, "quiet" in AS.
She is NOT to teach nor have dominion "over man," BUT
to be in quietness. The NOT-BUT is a Greek form of the
comparative degree (cf. Jn. 6:27, and 1 Pet. 3:3-4). We are not
forbidden to work for material things, nor to wear apparel; BUT
spiritual goals are more important, as is the inward adornment.
The woman is not forbidden to teach — period; BUT the
"quiet" spirit must prevail — she can not have
"man dominion." I find nothing here to restrict this
teaching to "church assembly."
God
exalts those who humbly serve in their assigned functions.
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