Just about women preachers (was my call)

Dunemus@aol.com (Dunemus@aol.com)
Sun, 25 Oct 1998 23:33:03 EST


In a message dated 10/25/98 5:43:25 PM Eastern Standard Time,
tlwitness@juno.com writes:

<< >Also, I do recall a man by the name of Joel, who wrote "your
 >sons and your daughters shall prophesy"...same word, men and women.
 
 But if you believe that means preach as we understand the term today,
 then the Bible is contradicting itself, since the New Testament and
 history says that just didn't happen.
  >>
     May I first say that you are using a technique called circular reasoning.
You are basing an output,  on your own preconceived notions,  rather than
presenting valid evidence.  To simply say "xyz is not true because xyz does
not exist," is not sufficient proof.  So I am saying that your statement above
is not a sufficient contradiction to what she has presented.
     I don't have the time right now to give you all of the Greek and Hebrew
terms.  But I have studied it in the past and I will assure you that the same
terms that are used for male preachers are also used for female preachers.
Without any deviation.  
     Tell me this.  What is the meant by Joel in chapter 2 when it says that
the men and women shall prophesy?  
     May I just remind you,  that Peter's Greek quotation of this passage in
Joel,  found in Acts uses the same term that is translated as preach.  You are
attempting to make a difference in this one Greek word,  when the original
text makes none.  Any knowledgeable preacher will tell you that in the New
Testament,  the word prophesy most always refers to preaching.  Preaching is
the forth-telling of Gods word.
One more quote for tonight.  
<
The Authors of the Bible?  All men.  God used these men to speak for Him
in BOTH the Old and New Testament.  
The women mentioned in the Bible?  None of them were spiritual leaders. 
NOT ONE.
>
     What do you call the judge Deborah?  Chop Suey?  She was the one who
dominated two of the chapters of the book of Judges.  May I just say that she
was even a leader in this,  for most of the judges weren't given more than a
passing mention.  A few measly verses.  But for her,  much was said.  She was
Judge over Israel.  Sounds like a Spiritual leadership position to me.  And
besides Samuel (you know,  Hannah's anointed son),  she was the only other
judge that was also a prophet.  Or shall we say prophetess?  May I just say
that Barak was subject unto her.  He respected her position and also her
spiritual leadership.  If you don't believe it,  read your bible.  It's all
there in black and white.  Through her,  a mighty victory was won for Israel.
She even sang a song of victory,  just like Moses did before her.  It was the
only other song,  besides Moses's,  that I have seen like it.
     Furthermore,  the bible does speak of other female spiritual leaders.
And prophetesses.  To whom God instructed men to go to for direction and
guidance.  Men of the old and new testaments excepted the spiritual guidance
given by women.  That is,  if the woman was anointed by God.  They were called
prophetesses.  Read your bible and see if men did not go to them for spiritual
and even sometimes military direction.  Excuse me for using this ethnic
jargon.  But God don't give a hoot about the vessel.  All he wants is somebody
that's willing.  He don't care if the vessel is black or white.  He don't care
if the vessel is 90 or 10.  He don't care if the vessel is crippled or
completely healthy.  He don't care if the vessel was a Jew or a Gentile.
College educated or from a 6th grade education.  A slave or a free man.  He
even caused a jack ass to speak his word.  So what in the world would make you
believe that he won't use a woman.
     Earlier you said that using the verse in Joel must mean something
different or else it contradicts.  Actually I think it all fits together.
Women were going to somehow be allowed to preach on a more consistent basis.
But at some point in the future.  After Pentecost.  Once Pentecost had fully
come,  spiritually,  we are all on equal footing.  Hence our background and
physical state makes no difference.  It is all about the spirit.
     I will be addressing this issue again when I have more time.  I will just
say that this is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves.  Simply,  because I personally
know of many anointed women of God.  Women that can out-preach 90% of all male
preachers that I have ever heard.  Women with more faith than any man I have
ever witnessed.  Women whose lives have been dedicated to pleasing God and
spreading his word.  Women who have rendered the ultimate service,  which is
leading souls to Jesus Christ.  How dare anybody question there call to
preach?  After all they have done for the upbuilding of the kingdom.  And the
best we can do is sit around and talk about "their not anointed or called."
Shame on us. 
     Forgive me for being so crass.  But I hate this about some brothers.  And
I am a brother myself.  But I know for a fact that some women preachers have
helped me to grow in Christ.  Jesus said,  If they aren't working against us,
then they must be for us. So he told his Apostles to leave them alone.  I fear
some of the "brethren"  are gonna find themselves in condemnation when the
word comes to them that says,  "Touch not mine anointed,  and do my 'prophet'
no harm."
     Yours in Christ Jesus
Marlon.
PS - Sorry for being rough