I have already made a statement that I have trouble with the
Pauline Doctrine. The doctrine is noted as the books written by Paul- the
letters to the Epistle (about 13 or 14 books of the New Testament). There are
some verses with really good value but I feel some verses are not totally
aligned with the teaching of Jesus and the actual laws of Mosaic and/or
Rabbinic laws of the period.
Men and Women in ancient society were just about equally
yoked from what I have learned in my research. Viewing the Bible as a whole,
you will notice that the women mentioned in the Bible are generally pious where
as men were the basic sinners. In Judaism, if a child was born to a woman who
was Jewish then their children were Jewish. Judaism is based off the maternal
line and not the paternal line. These
are just some of the reasons I personally question some of Paul’s writing.
You do not have to believe what I do; I make that statement
all the time. The example I will use is one that I am torn on in a
contradictory type feeling. I love part of this passage but have trouble
understanding the other part.
“(31) For ye all can prophesy one by one that all may learn,
and all may be exhorted; (32) and the spirits of the prophets are subject to
the prophets; (33) for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. (2nd
½ of 33) As in all the churches of the saints, (34) let the women keep silence
in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in
subjection, as also saith the law.” (1 Corinthians 14: 31-34)
I understand verse 31 to ½ of 33.
I don’t totally understand the other ½ of 33 to 34.
This leads me to question how much did the laws change
between the Old Testament and the writing of the New Testament to the implementation
of the churches and why?
I wrote my academic adviser, and posed some of these
questions that I have. His response to me is: “These are very deep questions to
answer. We will need to sit and discuss all of this.” I have prayed over this
time and time again. God will provide me with an answer but I feel he is
guiding me to do some more research to seek what is truth in my heart and soul.
One interesting things about this passage is that WOW! The
answer hit me when I was reading parts of a text for my upcoming class. It hit
me dead square and what a revelation it was. Russell Kirk wrote “The Roots of
American Order.” (Quoting) “Our own
society, like that of any other people, is held together by what is called an ‘order’…Order
is the path we follow, or the pattern by which we live with purpose and
meaning. Above even food and shelter,
she continue, we must have order. The human condition is insufferable unless we
perceive a harmony, and order, in existence. Order is the first need of all…If
we lack order in the soul and order in society, we dwell ‘in a land of
darkness, as darkness itself,’ the book of Job puts it; ‘and of the shadow of
death, without any order, and where light is as darkness.” (pg 3) Kirk’s “she” is quoting Simone Weil (she is a
French philosopher who was raised agnostic and converted to devout
Christianity).
With God in our lives we will not be confused, we will not
lack order, and we will live in his light. Without God in our life, we will be
confused, we will lack order, and we will live in darkness. It is in Job and it is in 1 Corinthians—God is
a necessity to order in our souls. HE is
a need.
As far as women being silent in church, I can’t even comment
on that because I honestly do not totally understand why Paul wrote this verse.
I will pray on it and discuss it with more academically intellectual (as
well
as spiritual astute) people than myself.
I state this time after time, you do not have to believe
what I say or agree with it, but I challenge you. Check it out for yourself.
Pray for each other.
God bless you all.
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