Vol.VI No.IX Pg.3
November 1969

A Woman Missionary?

Robert F. Turner

A female campus missionary! — what is that? I never have been quite sure what constituted a missionary anyway, and I sure nuf am puzzled by a WOMAN missionary — on campus or off! It seems to me what God approves a woman doing on campus, she could do off campus — but then I am not at all sure what she does and what her mission is. Does she teach the Bible? Does she hold classes with men present? Will she contend for the faith against unbelieving men? The whole implication sounds suspiciously like a trial run — foot in the door — for full fledged women preachers. In fact if a woman can scripturally hold Bible classes for men on campus and dispute the scriptures with men on campus, what WOULD prohibit her from doing the same thing at 9:45 Sunday morning in the church building? Time and location is the only difference.

Women in the New Testament were helpers to preachers (PhiI. 4:3) and to the church (Rom. 16:1), but that is a far cry from women assuming the work of preachers. Aged women should teach young women things peculiar to their conduct and responsibilities as godly wives and mothers (Tit. 2:3-5). Moreover, God used women to prophesy (inspired teaching (Lk. 2:36; Acts 21:8,9; Joel 2: 28-30), yet the same New Testament limits the sphere of womans teaching. She is forbidden to teach and exercise dominion over men (ASV 1 Tim. 2:12). Woman must be subject to man — on campus or off. She can never occupy a position exercising dominion over men without violating scripture.

This is no insult to a womans capabilities. Her intelligence and skill is not inferior to man. Christ is not inferior to the Father (Phil. 2:6), but this does not exclude his subjection to the Father (1 Cor. 15:58) God assigned the subjective place to woman and the leading place to man (Eph. 5:22-33). Womans role is no less important, but it is different from mans place.

Paul is not giving instruction for conduct in assemblies exclusively. It is not only at the building or in public that woman is forbidden to have dominion over man. A woman who wouldnt utter a word in the building will sometimes loudly argue — no holds barred — with men just outside the door. She may be quiet as a mouse in the assemblies of the church, yet wear the pants at home. This passage defines Gods assigned place for men and women everywhere — even on a college campus.

God will be pleased with women who obey his commands — teach the young women...keepers at home (Tit. 2:4,5)... continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety (1 Tim. 2:15). The cause of Christ will never be advanced by woman assuming mans work. This brings shame to a woman, reproach to the church, and blasphemy against the word of God (Tit. 2:5).

Developing correct attitudes in woman is the real solution. To be in quietness (silence KJV —1 Tim. 2:11,12) describes a disposition of mind — not just an action. A loud mouth, aggressive manner, and commanding activities do NOT proceed from a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price (1 Pet. 3:4). Joe Fitch