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Women working outside the home...

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Margie Kritzer, Apr 26, 2002.

  1. Momto3JD

    Momto3JD New Member

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    Joshua- Let's start with Genesis, shall we? Who did God say wold work as a punishment? Who did God say would give birth as a punishment?

    16. Unto the woman he said * , I will greatly * multiply * thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth * children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule * over thee.

    17. And unto Adam he said * , Because thou hast hearkened * unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten * of the tree, of which I commanded thee * , saying * , Thou shalt not eat * of it: cursed * is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat * of it all the days of thy life;

    Gotta run. Nap time is over ~JD
    ... I will continue! There is a lot more in the Bible ya know!
     
  2. Clint Kritzer

    Clint Kritzer Active Member
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    Genesis 2

    20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
    21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
    22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
    23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
    24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

    Galatians 3
    26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
    27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
    28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
    29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
    28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
    29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
     
  3. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
     
  4. Clint Kritzer

    Clint Kritzer Active Member
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    Good passage Aaron, but who is the adversary? This is another of a myriad of scriptures in which Paul urges the church to conform to certain societal standards.

    So I ask you, how do you as a midwest factory worker feel about unemployment? More importantly, how would your co-workers feel about paying taxes to support a welfare system that pays out to women who are perfectly capable of working but won't because they claim it is against scripture? Even if the woman does not need welfare, how would your community look at someone who refused to work and better their station in life despite ability and health using scripture as an excuse?

    This is a verse to be taken in context. If we start believing that every istruction Paul gives us on the conduct of women is absolutely literal to today's standards, then we should expect these women defending the position of not working to stay silent in their churches (1Corinthians 14:34), keep their heads covered during prayer (1Corinthians 11:5), and by all means they should stop debating and stay totally silent since there are men involved in this conversation (1 Timothy 2:11-12).

    This is the blaspheming (discrediting) of scriptures spoken of in Titus and the reproachful speech spoken of in the passage you cited from 1Timothy. The adversary isn't your fellow Christian. The adversary refered to here isn't satan. The adversary is the observing world! Titus 2 ends with "Do not let anyone despise you."

    Notice in 1Corinthians 11:13 Paul's wording:
    Well, is it?

    Besides that, where does the passage you cite say that a woman can't work outside of the home?

    [ April 28, 2002, 02:17 AM: Message edited by: Clint Kritzer ]
     
  5. Clint Kritzer

    Clint Kritzer Active Member
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    Also, a further review of the scripture you cited left off the first part of the passage:

    1 Timothy 5
    11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
    12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
    13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.


    Hmmm, interesting passage you chose.

    [ April 27, 2002, 11:59 PM: Message edited by: Clint Kritzer ]
     
  6. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Clint,

    The Scriptures before and after the verse I quoted do not change its meaning when standing alone. In fact, they work against your premise.

    When Paul exhorted the younger women to marry, bear children and guide the house, it wasn't for the purpose of giving no occasion to the adversary. The verse could be stated this way:

    I will that the younger women </font>
    • Marry </font>
    • Bear Children </font>
    • Guide the house </font>
    • Give no occassion to the adversary... </font>
    I'm sure you get honey-do lists yourself. My wife will say, fix the drain, oil the hinge on the bathroom door, hang the shelf and change the oil in the van.
    Now, I didn't fix the drain, oil the hinge and hang the shelf just so I could change the oil the van.

    In the same way, the younger women are to marry, bear children and guide the house because it is right. AND, they are to be careful not to give any occasion to the adversary.

    The verses above it only aggravate your position, because they are a straightforward instruction to Timothy not to receive a young widow as a deaconness (for lack of a better term). Why? Because it is in the nature of young women to wax wanton against Christ, to resign their positions and marry again.

    THEREFORE, the younger women should marry, bear children, etc.

    This has nothing to do with societal standards at all, but with our nature which is universal and consistent from age to age. Besides, "today's standards" are irrelevant. It is God's standards that matter.

    Now, concerning the things you wrote:
    Absolutely. But not only these women, but all women. Paul gives us an elaboration on this point. Why should women remain silent in the churches? Because of society? Not at all, because of Creation (1 Timothy 2:13).

    It couldn't hurt, and for nearly 1800 years this practice was observed in Christendom. However, the point in 1 Corinthians 11 is headship or rank, not society, and Paul is emphatic that the distinctions in gender roles be maintained. (kind of shines a new light on your use of Galatians 3:28, doesn't it? ;)

    Let me say first of all, that the BB is not a church. The only one with authority here is the webmaster. That being said I want to point out your statement is an objection to the implications of such a doctrine, and not to the doctrine itself. The doctrine is either right or wrong, and the chips will fall where they may.
     
  7. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Now, you asked what it means to "guide the house." Let me ask you. What is implicit in that exhortation?
     
  8. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    Man you folks are at it, aren't you?

    Here's an old lady talking, OK? Prov. 31 cannot all be accomplished in one day, or month, or year. Life comes in stages.

    It also comes individually. What does the family need? How many children are there? What are the other circumstances affecting the decision?

    The responsibility of a man and a woman are to the marriage first (after the Lord) and then to the family. Because women are more relationship-aware usually, they are the ones most capable of sensing the needs and condition of the family itself. Men are given a different set of abilities by God, tending to be a little less emotional and a little more capable of setting direction in a calm and rational manner. The feedback from his wife will let him know how accurate that direction is. The point is that she must follow it to be able to give him some feedback!

    Women, for the most part, are capable of doing a number of things at once -- that's why our kids think we have eyes in the backs of our heads! Men tend to be more focused, and while a number of the things that occur in a household would not grab their attention the way they do a mother's, what the men get done they tend to get done very well. That's just the way we are.

    And God designed that for the roles He has given us.

    So let's take a look at a couple of modern examples of different ways of handling this with an intact marriage:

    1. Newly-weds, no children, living in a condominium. Ridiculous for the wife to stay home all day! Her work can be paid or volunteer as led by the Lord, but this is a woman with gifts to share.

    2. Newly-weds, no children, living in suburbia or on a farm or ranch. The wife is going to be busy either setting up a home at first or keeping the family business going alongside her husband. She rightly should tend to be at home more (unless they were able to buy a home already fully decorated and landscaped! But not many of us are in that position as newly-weds.)

    3. Newly-weds, wife putting husband through school. She is essential to earn the money they need.

    4. Young family -- mom is needed at home. It's a full-time job. IF there is extended family and they behave as extended family used to, then I'm sure one or more of the women could work and the others watch the children, but this is very much a family decision and not just for the married couple under discussion.

    5. Young family and husband owns his own business. Wife can stay at home and do bookkeeping and calling. She is working hard but still home. This is a way of earning money or, more precisely, not spending extra money on a secretary/bookkeeper.

    6. Kids are teens and above, reaching out for their own lives. In the early teens mom needs to be at home to keep a close eye on things. These are actually dangerous years for the kids and they should not be left on their own. But in the later teens, assuming things have gone reasonably well, if the woman wants to work part time and her husband agrees, why not?

    And a stay at home husband? My husband is a physics researcher and he does not 'go out' to work unless it is to a library or meeting! And he's an enormous help around the house and yard as he needs to get up and stretch and do something physical several times during the day. Now, about cooking, he could probably burn water, but, hey, I like cooking and so does our youngest daughter (at 17), so we're fine.

    Life is different for different people. If the couple is focused and centered on the Lord, He will show them the right way to go for them, in line with the biblical directives, but also individualized for them.

    On the medical thing, there are many in the medical community who are there precisely because God has given them a heart and a gift where this field is concerned. Find a good doctor and know you have found gold! I am alive because of two emergency surgeries in my life. I'm sort of grateful for that....
     
  9. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    Helen, where I would disagree with your post is that - in the places where you indicated the Mom should stay home - I would rephrase it to say "someone" should stay home. As you pointed out, generally speaking the men in our culture are not as feeling-oriented as the women in our culture. Likewise, many men do not multi-task well. As a feeling-oriented, multi-taksing husband married to a logic-oriented, highly focused woman; I think it's important to note that our gifts and abilities are not dependent upon our sex.

    I find it particularly interesting that those gifts which we generally value in our pastors are those that are often associated with women. (This is not a novel observation on my part. The Meyers-Briggs folks have pointed out for years that they traits in our culture that are identified as feminine are the desireable ones for pastors.) The irony here, of course, is that women are still excluded from the pastorate in many baptist settings.

    One final note. The generalizations about what is feminine and what is masculine are very much cultural. There are cultures where men are expected to be sensitive and nurturing.

    Joshua
     
  10. Clint Kritzer

    Clint Kritzer Active Member
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    My dear Helen, the fact that this issue has arisen numerous times in the past six months and some women have even been driven from this board because of the hard lined assumed interpretations of passages such as Titus 2:5 have necessitated that this conversation be brought into a forum in which the points and counter points can be explored without a thread being closed, deleted, or edited beyond recognition. This is NOT "tea time" in this forum. This is a discussion that was born from the injustice and a-Biblical judgement that working women have received in the past on this board. There was a time in which the stance had been ALL women should stay at home. At least now at this point it has been modified to "mothers of young children" should stay at home. There is progress to be shown.

    Besides, when Joshua, Chris, and Clint are on the same side of an issue, I'd say that requires a bit more examination. [​IMG]

    Aaron - First point:
    No, I do not get "honey-do lists", nor does my wife. We carry out our responsibilities by request and at our own paces. Just want to make sure that that is clear.

    You better check your reference again. The passage found in 1Timothy 5 beginning at verse 3 through verse 16 is instructions to the church on the care of widows. It was a clear part of the Levitical code that widows were to be provided for because they lacked property and the means to make a living. (Dueteronomy14:28) The care of older widows is addressed first because in those times there was no government assistance, pensions, social security nor any means of self support for women. This made these women very vulnerable.

    However, the younger widows were just sopping off of the charity of the church. THAT is why Paul says that they have become "not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." These younger widows had an option for financial security apart from the support of the church. The term "wax wanton against Christ" refers to the deal made with the church concerning this hand out or could mean that many were marrying outside of the faith and thereby breaking the trust that the provisions implied.

    By your definition, If a woman is over 60, then it was okay for her to become a deaconess. This makes absolutely no sense and I doubt that you can back this with any commentary or interpretation other than your own.
    So it couldn't hurt to take this literally, but the fact is, do you have your wife cover her head during prayer? If not, you could suffer the same peer judgement as the working women of this forum.

    The statement is not doctrine. The statement was advice from Paul for the women of the church at Corinth to remain quiet in order to
    insure orderly worship. Check your scriptures, Aaron. In 1Corinthians 11:5 Paul speaks of women prophecying in church. The statement in 14:34 would not allow for a practice he has already acknowledged. That is, unless you're going to tell me that they did it through sign language.

    These are examples of exactly what was being said on the other thread about Jesus' rebuke of the Saducees. If we pick and choose scripture, then we can make it say almost anything.

    Where does it say that the instructions to dress modestly (v. 9), good deeds, (v. 10) or quietness and full submission stop at the church door in this passage from 1Timothy 2? What has the church to do with any of this passage other than the instructions being given to the women at the church at Ephesus? I think a good way to end this post is to quote Paul from the very first chapter of 1Timothy. It seems rather appropriate at this point:

    3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer

    4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith.

    5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

    6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.

    7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

    8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.

    9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

    10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine

    11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.


    Excuse the NIV. I just wanted to be clear.
     
  11. Clint Kritzer

    Clint Kritzer Active Member
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    Clint's reply: AMEN!
     
  12. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    I have a feeling this line is destined for the funniest quotes thread. :D

    [ April 28, 2002, 03:51 PM: Message edited by: Rev. Joshua Villines ]
     
  13. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Here you're saying Paul's motivation was not to set forth a general principle to guide the church in the correct way to care for widows, but merely to set forth some pragmatic response to the current social climate which has no relevance for today.

    You might as well cut that portion of Scripture out of your Bible then, because it's not for you.

    Now, you demand Scriptural references from others. Where is your Scriptural reference for such a motivation on the part of St. Paul?

    You have none, because it is an arbitrary assumption on the hook of modern commentators. Try to find that in any commentary before the Sufferage movement and you will search in vain.

    Yet I have provided sound proof from the Scriptures that Paul bases his exhortations NOT on the changing tides of man's philosophies, but on the universal, non-optional nature of things and God's unchanging standard of righteousness.

    Why should women stay silent in the church? Because Adam was created first, then Eve, 1 Tim. 2:13. Why should the woman have "power on her head"? Because the woman was taken from man, not man from the woman, because nature teaches us so, and because of the presence of angels who themselves have power on their heads, 1 Cor. 11:8-10; 14.

    Paul stated his reasons very clearly. Where are you getting any of this "societal standard" baloney? Not from the Scriptures. In fact you have failed to provide any shred of authoritative evidence that the gender roles described in the NT are in any way related to societal standards.

    Lay your doubts aside:
    Weeeeell..."deal" is such a light term. They were ordained to an office of which, among other high standards, widowhood was a requirement. Paul classifies their unfaithfulness as "wantonness." Look this up in a good Greek dictionary like Vines. Awfully strong language. If it merely referred to breaking a deal then the term "covenantbreaker" (Rom. 1:31) would have been a better choice here.

    Paul limits the office to those 60 years and over because, generally speaking, the effects of old age have pretty much burned up the sinful proclivities common to younger women, especially to those who have already awakened and enjoyed the nuptial privileges.

    Where is my basis for this motivation? Paul said so right there. The younger women will do this. What is best for the younger widows? To marry, bear children, guide the house, and give no occasion to the adversary.

    Again, not society, but nature.

    Now, concerning 1 Corinthians 11. It is evident to me that you have access to Matthew Henry's commentaries. That is good. You said:
    This is no difficulty whatsoever. Matthew Henry said concerning this:
    And John Calvin:
    [ April 28, 2002, 08:34 PM: Message edited by: Aaron ]
     
  14. Molly

    Molly New Member

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    I've been gone all weekend,but was anxious to find out how this conversation was going! [​IMG]

    I must say that I think it is essential that the mother stay home when the children are young.(just basic logic and biblical principles here) I think,like Helen, when the kids are older,there are creative ways to work and still keep the priorities of being a godly women,it is harder the more hours you work,surely you all agree with that. The more hours you are away from the home and husband and children,the harder it is to still be fulfilling God's purpose. But,it can be done and is not a doctrinal issue.... :D

    All in all,you can look around and see women who are trying to do what is right and best,all of us fail,but when the priorities are in line,it is defintely a noticed thing and when they are not,you can tell that,too. Look at your own life,that is all any of us can do....see where you line up with the biblical principles taught for women and men. If I was working even part time,I would have trouble feeling like my priorites were not in line and I would struggle with that...but if you are okay with it,hey,you have to be held accountable and there could be consequences....I believe esp the husbands will be,also, for not leading the family in those prioroties. I can't say you are wrong,though. I won't do that...but we have to agree that the Bible teaches the priorities of the women are to be in the home, anything else should come in second or third or dead last....

    And,yes,I believe that the bible teaches this in principle...I feel it is God's best and most honored position for a women to be in...I also realize they may be some exceptions to the principle...like Margie's Ruth example...that is not the principle,but an exception,I can tell the difference. Exceptions do not change the principle. I want to be living in the principle,not the exception...but that is where I am personally in my life....I desire for excellence in the areas of my life that involve my husband,children,and home...I won't take second best from myself.
     
  15. Clint Kritzer

    Clint Kritzer Active Member
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    I have access to MANY commentaries. [​IMG]

    The 1599 Geneva Study Bible

    5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

    (7) The second rule. Let the church take care of those who are indeed widows, that is to say, those who are poor and destitute of help from their own friends, and live godly and religiously.

    5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have c washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

    (c) This is spoken with regard to the manner of those countries.

    5:11 But the younger widows d refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

    (10) The first reason why younger widows are not to be admitted to this ministry, that is, because of the unsteadiness of their age they will at length shake off the burden that Christ has laid upon them, and think rather upon marrying again: and so will forsake the ministry to which they had bound themselves.
    (d) Take them not into the assembly of widows.

    5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

    (13) The sixth rule: let the faithful help their widows at their own expense as much as they can, and do not let the congregation be burdened with these expenses.

    John Gill's Exposition of the Bible John Gill died in 1771

    1 Timothy 5:9

    Let not a widow be taken into the number…
    That is, of widows, to be maintained by the church; though some choose to understand these words of the number of such who were made deaconesses, and had the care of the poor widows of the church committed to them; and so the Arabic version renders it, "if a widow be chosen a deaconess"; but the former sense is best, for it appears from (1 Timothy 5:1,6) that the apostle is still speaking of widows to be relieved: now such were not to be taken under the church's care for relief, under threescore years old: for under this age it might be supposed they would marry, and so not be desolate, but would have husbands to provide for them; or they might be capable of labour, and so of taking care of themselves. The age of sixty years was by the Jews F24 reckoned (hnqz) , "old age", but not under.

    1 Timothy 5:16

    If any man or woman that believeth have widows…
    That is, if any member of a church, whether a brother or a sister, have mothers or grandmothers, or any near relations widows, in mean circumstances, and incapable of taking care of themselves:

    let them relieve them;
    out of their own substance; which is what the apostle before calls showing piety at home, and requiting their own parents:

    and let not the church be charged;
    or burdened with the maintenance of them:

    that it may relieve them that are widows indeed;
    that the church may be in a better capacity, its stock not being expended on others, to supply the wants of those who are really widows; who have neither husbands, nor children, nor any relations, to provide for them; nor anything in the world to support themselves with.

    Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
    This one volume commentary was prepared by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown and published in 1871.


    5. widow indeed, and desolate--contrasted with her who has children or grandchildren to support her (1 Timothy 5:4).
    trusteth in God--perfect tense in Greek, "hath rested, and doth rest her hope in God." 1 Timothy 5:5 adds another qualification in a widow for Church maintenance, besides her being" desolate" or destitute of children to support her. She must be not one "that liveth in pleasure" (1 Timothy 5:6), but one making God her main hope (the accusative in Greek expresses that God is the ultimate aim whereto her hope is directed; whereas, 1 Timothy 4:10, dative expresses hope resting on God as her present stay [WIESINGER]), and continuing constantly in prayers. Her destitution of children and of all ties to earth would leave her more unencumbered for devoting the rest of her days to God and the Church (1 Corinthians 7:33,34). Compare also "Anna a widow," who remained unmarried after her husband's death and "departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers day and night" (Luke 2:36,37). Such a one, Paul implies, would be the fittest object for the Church's help (1 Timothy 5:3); for such a one is promoting the cause of Christ's Church by her prayers for it. "Ardor in prayers flows from hoping confidence in God" [LEO].
    in supplications and prayers--Greek, "in her supplications and prayers"; the former signifies asking under a sense of need, the latter, prayer
    night and day--another coincidence with Luke (Luke 18:7, "cry day and night"); contrast Satan's accusations "day and night" (Revelation 12:10).

    6. she that liveth in pleasure--the opposite of such a widow as is described in 1 Timothy 5:5, and therefore one utterly undeserving of Church charity. The Greek expresses wanton prodigality and excess [TITTMANN]. The root expresses weaving at a fast rate, and so
    dead while she liveth--dead in the Spirit while alive in the flesh (Matthew 8:22, Ephesians 5:14).


    I have more if you need.

    The idea of these widows being deacons is an interesting concept and one with which I disagree. If we get back to scripture, we see the reason for the formation of the office of deacon in the first place:

    I will concede that some may side with you that 60 year old women were ordained into the deaconship, but you have to conceed that many do not. You can number me among them.

    [ April 28, 2002, 09:05 PM: Message edited by: Clint Kritzer ]
     
  16. Clint Kritzer

    Clint Kritzer Active Member
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    Now that the issue of widows being ordained as deacons has been stalemated at best, I would really like to see this thread get back on the topic of women working outside of the home. However, there is one other point I wish to address from Aaron's last post:

    Romans 1
    7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    1 Corinthians 1
    2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:

    2 Corinthians 1
    1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

    Galatians 1
    2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:


    Do I need to go on? These Epistles were directed to specific churches with specific problems in specific times. The letters contain truths, priciples and guidance but they are to be taken within context.

    As for cutting things out of the scriptures, it is just as important to not add anything.

    Now, about women working outside of the home...
     
  17. BPM

    BPM New Member

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    The statement is not doctrine. The statement was advice from Paul for the women of the church at Corinth to remain quiet in order to
    insure orderly worship.

    Clint I don't intend to debate the working mother issue other than to say I personaly can't think of any scripture that prohibits either working or staying at home, there are however scripture that instructs us not to come down on those who are following their convictions. I do want to take issue with your statement above about Pauls statement being not doctrine but advise, I think we should remember 2 Tim 3:16 all scripture is given by inspiration of God .
    -------------------------------------------------
    With This is mind I also question your use of the following statement.

    If we pick and choose scripture, then we can make it say almost anything.

    Amen brother, this is true but more often than not the problem arises in us not believing or accepting the scriptures as they are written. Peace and Praise God for your working wife.
     
  18. Clint Kritzer

    Clint Kritzer Active Member
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    Indeed there are, sir, and that is the whole point of this thread. Aaron and I are in debate over this but this thread stems from threads such as these:

    http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=000279&p=

    http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=000236&p=

    http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=000053&p=

    These are just a few of the threads. Give me a minute I can find a score more where women who work outside of their homes are treated in a very uncordial, unChristlike, judgemental way. Margie and I have been members of this board for half a year now and this topic comes up over and over often resulting in some woman leaving the board in tears and anger (the emotion is obvious in their final posts).

    Margie and I are very comfortable with our relationship to each other and to God. It is not for us that this thread was started. It is for these other women. If you review the past working women's threads, you will not see anyone judging or condemning the women who opt to stay home.

    Balance was necessary and I appreciate your input.

    If I have come across as judging anyone for their convictions, then I apologize.

    Matthew 7:1
    Judge not, that ye be not judged.
     
  19. Molly

    Molly New Member

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    This is where I don't understand....noone is judging anyone,that I know of...you aren't judging me nor am I judging those that work...but,exhortation is not always positive and we need to help one another in different areas. That goes both ways. I happen to agree that when women stay home,they can best fulfill their role as a godly wife and mother. I hope noone sees that as judgemental. I am just stating a fact...this is the *best* scenario;women staying home. Now,if there are those that work,noone is saying they are living in sin. It is their choice. I don't believe it would be a sinful choice,but I see that in my opinion it is not best....that's all. If some women think working is best,I can't do anything about that. But,I can not agree with it. It is not being judgemental...we just disagree....people take it personally,either they feel guilty,they don't like to hear it,or whatever. But,those who are saying they want to stay at home and are doing that believe that is best and right,if it offends someone,I apologize,but I am not going to change my thinking on it.
     
  20. Molly

    Molly New Member

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    Margie stated that working women feel attacked...why? Because people disagree with them??? I don't get it? I don't feel attacked when someone disagrees with me,I just understand we disagree. It is not an attack. I happen to feel very strongly about why I stay home and I LOVE that my husband expects that from me. I like my life and I appreciate the fact that I can stay home...I thank God everyday. Am I attacking someone because I feel that way? No. But,I can state why I stay home and why I think it is best,maybe it will encourage someone else to do the same...it will only benefit their husband and children,so I do encourage women to stay at home. If you don't agree,then fine. It is no big deal.
     
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