Feminism & The Church

When God's design for the family, society's basic unit, is tampered with, ...then God's blessing and protection are silently withdrawn. At that point mankind is then left entirely to his own understanding, ...which leads society into deterioration, ...later the judgments of God, ...and ultimately bondage. Our purpose is to point out the original scriptural landmarks laid down by our New Testament Fathers; ...upon which the blessing of God truly resides. This small abbreviated study is for those born again believers in Jesus Christ who wish to save themselves from this generation which is so bent away from God. For the Endtime children of God, the Bible way is the only answer to protect our families. The true scripture places the man and the woman in their God-ordained positions with respect, honor and love for each other.

FEMINISM

There can be no denial that women have been treated unfairly and second rate in many avenues of life. The surging tide for women's rights and equality has many positive benefits; ...yet, sisters in Christ should see that the feminist movement's "well spring of life" comes from the kingdom of Satan; ...whose ultimate purpose is to hinder, pollute, and destroy as many of God's children as possible. It's effects have bent the non-converted secular individual as well as warping many born again, blood-bought men and women of the Church of the Living God.

The impact of the feminist movement upon this world's cultures is partly responsible for many of the difficulties which both saint and sinner families face today. A seducing spirit has been loosed upon the human race which has thrust men and women adrift upon a spiritual sea without anchors or spiritual moorings for their soul. Without Godly anchors or absolutes, ...people and cultures have worked out their own personal concepts of maleness and femaleness. Only the divine Word of our creator provides those Absolutes.

The masculine - feminine mind set which presently saturates mankind's thinking confuses male and female roles. It is the product and culmination of centuries of labor by the kingdom of darkness.

This loosened spirit has had it's effect upon the secular world and has also affected the Body of Christ to the point that the Scriptures are no longer considered as absolutes unto the church world in general. Biblical instructions which speak to the distinctions between male and female roles have become antiquated and out of step with the times to the majority. This worldly attitude has found a warm, receptive response within the hearts and minds of much of today's church population.

However, in this age, as in other preceding ages, there is a remnant in this hour who are escaping to higher ground above Satan's flood of filth and spiritual confusion. They have found a way to combat the Devil's influences which seem to be held in such high esteem by a lukewarm church-world during these backslide times; ....where Jesus finds himself on the outside of this Laodicean Church world, ... knocking and requesting to come in. Escape for God's remnant in this age is to submit their masculinity and femininity to the covering of God's Word.

If you can believe that the church world, ...by and large, is backslide; .... If you can believe that you are serving God within an Laodicean atmosphere where "I want my rights" is the major theme. If you can comprehend that the present church-world is poor, blind, and naked; .......then you will understand that we live within a religious climate similar to that of Old Testament Israel prior to birth of Jesus Christ. (If you do not understand this statement, then the following will probably be extremely difficult for you. You should proceed with caution.

A Disclaimer

As we share what God has revealed in His Word, we hope that you will understand that we are not belittling or reproaching the character of any sister or handmaiden of theLord for any work to which they have given their lives.. We recognize that many sisters have labored for the cause of Christ and their efforts have not gone un-rewarded, ....by man or God. Many have done so where there was no man to shoulder the burden "in the church" or "outside the church". We are not standing as judge of any individual; that belongs unto the Lord God.

As we point out God's attitude, (as displayed in scripture,) concerning the distinctively different masculine and feminine roles, we are not by any means suggesting that men are superior; ....physically, intellectually, or emotionally. God created the male and the female to fulfill different roles, each gender does have their particular general set of strengths and weaknesses. Remember it is the "spirit of the thing" we are dealing with. It all comes from the beginning. It is not a matter of education, technology or societies advancement. It is still God's divine will on the issue. If you or someone you know says that God has told them something which contradicts the WORD of GOD, then you should understand that either they lied to you or God lied. I have already decided that God does not lie, nor does he speak contrary to His Word. His Word is Forever Settled and does not change with the winds of society.

GOD CREATED A STAGGERING

God brought a somewhat different judgment upon Backslide Israel generations prior to their Babylonian captivity. Jehovah loosed a Spirit which caused the women to compass the men. This new thing God created was to turn about, turn aside, turn around, ....to even surround, encircle, and to change even further the cultural direction of their backslide society. It was not a blessing from God. It was a judgment from God spoken by Jeremiaah, "O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth. A woman shall compass a man." ( 31:22)

Isaiah, nearly 100 years before Jeremiah spoke of this same spirit and its effects upon society. He saw an oppressing and dominating spirit coming upon God's People, ...upon their families, and upon their nation. God's people were to face an oppressive demanding pressure from their children, ..as from a taskmaster. Arm-in-arm with this oppressive spirit upon children would be a spirit upon the Israel women to adopt a ruling, dominating, governing attitude over their husbands and within their families. "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them." A gender role change was to take place as a judgement from Jehovah. The consequences of this change in roles within Israel's society was to further destroy the ordained paths of God, ...simply put, .."they which lead thee cause thee to err" (to wander, be seduced, go astray, to stagger). (Isa. 3:12)

Now here we are at nearly the end of the New Testament age and the soon return of Jesus, ...we again see a similar pattern of judgment upon God's People and the whole world. Again, it is manifested through the children and the women. Families, churches and nations are battling a spiritual oppression which works through the children. The females of society are also under spiritual attack by the Satanic powers of darkness which prompts them into leadership and governing roles within their homes, their churches, and their society. Yes, what you see happening today among families, both secular and Christian is the results of the judgment of God upon this world. Just as in the days of Jeremiah and Isaiah, the results are the same, ....the paths of God have become filled with error and many New Testament paths have become destroyed. (Isa. 33:12) Anytime we deviate from God's original plan, there are consequences which we must deal with from the seed we have sown.

THE LOOSENING OF A SPIRIT

Feminism's increase during the 19th and 20th centuries is a fulfillment of the loosening of the Perverted Mixed Spirits of Revelation 9:1-10. It is one of the Woes of Revelation. You are not waiting for the book to happen; ...you are living in it's events now. Read Rev. 9:1-10

A WOE was to come upon the earth bringing torment unto all mankind who "have not the seal of God in their foreheads." These Locust-like Spirits are armed as horses for battle, ...have crowns of authority, ...resistance to attack, ...breast plates of iron for protection, ...and tail-stinging torments. They represent a vicious, perverted sex-role spirit ....with the teeth of a lion (it is truly a ferocious devouring Satanic spirit doing much more damage than merely roaring), ...with the hair of a woman and yet the face of a man. A Mixed Perverted Spirit. Mixing the Sexes. (We actually see this spirit with the face of a man and hair of a woman walking openly upon the streets and often in the congregation. Need I say more.)

SEALED IN THEIR FOREHEADS

The scripture speaks of being "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13) which is for every believer. And the scripture speaks of another endtime sealing in the book of Revelation, called..."a seal in the forehead". The sealing of the Holy Spirit makes you born again, a member of the family or body of Christ, ....but the sealing of the forehead is one which protects God's children during seasons of demonic attack and judgments. God used it in Ezekiel 9:1-6 to mark many O. T. saints for protection and preservation. Those not marked or sealed were to suffer the judgments

In this generation, only those believers who are sealed by the Spirit of God in their foreheads are preserved during the attacks of these perverted spirits, ....until their season is over. When our mind is spiritually sealed unto God's way of thinking and when our mind is spiritually sealed unto the idea that His Word is right, ...then we are sealed in our forehead.

Just as Eve knew and yet ignored what God said about the tree in the garden, ....because of the lust of eye, the flesh and pride of life, .....God's Word is ignored today for that which seems to be more attractive, ....more intellectually pleasing, and for that which seems to be more blessed. We in America tend to think that how things work here is God's sanctioned way. The church world has decided that the Bible is not really God's Word. The Bible has simply become a tourist guide brochure which we are at liberty to change, interpret, skip and use as best suits our interests. That leaves us as in the book of Judges, " every man did that which was right in his own eyes." No wonder the news holds such evil. We have lost hold of God's word.

This Feminist spirit has battled the church and mankind for centuries. It's Lion's teeth and Breastplates of Iron have given it the ability to conquer without defeat during several generations. Human reasoning and intellect has tried to change God's original plan. This is it's season to torment.

Each believer should endeavor to ask God in prayerful submission for help in coming to His Word. We are assured of protection from these ferocious feminist perverted sex-role spirits when we are sealed in our thinking unto God's Word. Outside of his Word there is no guarantee of protection, ...even for those who mean well.

The following declaration of the Word of God was not intended as a rebuke unto any brother or sister in the Lord. It is simply a partial and abbreviated explanation of God's principles which transcend cultures and generations. Those who are striving to enter the strait gate are prevented from endorsing Laodicean church-world practices which have been adapted from feminist principles.

Remember, all the while the church world thinks it is making advances in God, ....it is all the time moving further and further from the WORD. Stand in the ways, ...and see, .....and ask for the old paths, .....where is the good way, ....walk therein, ....and ye shall find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

FEMINISM'S GRADUAL AFFECTS

The church is typed or symbolized as a woman many places in scripture. Because of this parallel one may simply look out upon the women of the secular world to see what type of demonic spirits are also attacking the church.

The following historical facts are listed to show that there has been a gradual progression, development and increase of women's influence within the church over the last several hundred years. Just as Feminist attitudes have gradually affected the world, ...they have also gradually affected the church. This facts list isn't comprehensive or all inclusive; but, just enough for you to see the trend.

Women's Influence Increased in the Ministry During the 1800's:

**The Waldenses rejected Rome's authority and allowed women to preach. But not clear whether to men or just women.

**Early Baptist congregations were known to have a few women preachers

**John Wesley gave full freedom to women in all areas of ministry.

**Victor Hugo declared the 19th century the "the woman's century"

**With the 19th century, came husband-wife teams with the women becoming

equally prominent or more so than their husbands

** Phoebe Palmer, (1807-74) sometimes called the "Mother of the Holiness Movement", a Methodist

** Catherine Booth, wife of Salvation Army founder William Booth, a Methodist preacher

** Aimee Semple McPherson ** Maria Woodworth Etter

**1853 1st woman was ordained, Mainline church, U.S. Congregationalists

Women's Influence Increases in the Ministry During the 1900's

*1944 1st Woman Anglican Priest ordained

*1956 Presbyterian & Methodist vote to allow Women Clergy

*1958 Sweden's Lutheran Church admit Women Pastors

*1970 U.S. Lutherans admit Women Pastors

*1972 U.S. 1st Woman Rabbi ordained

*1975 Canada's Anglicans approves Women Priests

*1976 U.S. Episcopal Church admit Women Priests

*1977 Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Lutheran, & Episcopalians ordain

*1980 Methodist admit 1st Woman Bishop

*1983-84 Lutheran Seminary enrollment was 36.5% women.

*1988 .....80 Protestant denominations allow women ordination.

*1989 U.S. Anglican's admit 1st Woman Bishop

*1992 England's Anglican Church endorses Women Priests

* United Methodist Church. has the largest # of women pastors

* 30% of Protestant Seminary students are women

* 6.3% of UPC ministers are women

* 10% of the United Church of Christ ordained ministers are women

* USA Presbyterian Church has ordained over 1000 women since 1960

* 14.3% of The Assembly of God ministers are women.

A LANDMARK -- A MEASURE - A STANDARD

Where should God's people live? What area or property is ours? We should search out the property LANDMARKs or boundary markers. Once the Landmarks are found, we then know where our Father's property lies and where we are suppose to live. When God's people forget to find the Landmarks, then they began to live on property that God has not sanctioned and therefore can not completely bless. One result of living outside God's boundaries is much comes our way which was not ordained of God to be ours, and we lose much that is ours by inheritance, ....much that we are entitled too. Thus, we gain or inherit what we don't need and lose what is divinely ours.

"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." Prov 22:28 "The princes of Judah ....... remove the (landmark) bound." Hosea 5:10

The true blessing of God is in returning to God's Landmarks. Many have been removed and hidden by preachers and church leaders. However, they can be found again by simply counseling with the New Testament Fathers in the Word of God.

There must be a measure or a standard. We believe that the measure or standard by which we should compare ourselves is the written Word of God, .....the Bible. For many, the Bible is thought of as the words of Moses, David, or Peter, or Paul. When we take the authorship away from the Holy Ghost and place it upon a man, ...we have just devalued the inspired Word of God. Experiences, signs, manifestations, sensations, impressions, promptings, visions, dreams, urgings, vibrations, goose-bumps, hair-tingling, enthusiasm, inspirations, and etc., ....all have their place, ....but, none should be acknowledged as the highest form of guidance or instruction. None should take precedence over the Scripture.

Apostle Peter in 2nd Peter 1:17-21 recounted his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus, and yet spoke of the scripture as a "more sure word of prophecy", ...not subject to "private interpretation". The Berean's were more noble because they "searched the scriptures daily", to see if those things preached were so or not. (Acts 17:11) They did not search their hearts or search their spirits ....they searched the scriptures.

Today many measure themselves by themselves, and it is still not wise. Any searching or trying of the spirit has to be done with some measure or standard. That standard is not the believer's feelings, urges, visitations, prophecies, or blessings, .....it must be the scripture. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, ...." (John 5:39) and " ....the scripture cannot be broken." (John 10:35) It seems that Satan has truly weakened and destroyed our faith in the Bible as the authentic, genuine, and communicated Word of God.

The church world has adopted the same philosophy of reason as the world. "If it feels right, ....it must be right." "If it blesses me or others, .....then we have God's 100% approval." These adages have become the gauge which much of the church uses as their measure. "Contending for the faith which was once delivered to the saints" has become a selective contending.

20th century contending is O.K. as long as folks can do what they I feel is best. The Laodicean Church follows the scripture as long as they don't have an urging, an inspiration, a leading, an explanation, a better intellectual interpretation or better yet, ...a prophecy to steer them in a direction they really prefer.

The following words and facts are brought to your attention that you might consider what God has to say about man and woman's relationship. They represent principles of God, ...not cultural opinions of the times. I hope that none of my sisters in the Lord consider these Bible facts as male chauvinist opinions of a preacher (the scripture writer) who has a negative attitude toward women. Wherever you are in relation to God's ideas on the subject, may he Bless you to adjust your ideas to fit with His. To do so will cover you with His Word and preserve you and yours.

Miscellaneous Bible Facts Revealing God's Distinctions

for Male & Female Relationships

(These are constants and not subject to cultural interpretation)

-Gen. 3:16 ...Man was to rule over woman

-1Cor. 11:3 ...the Head of man is Christ, the head of woman is the man

-1 Cor.11:7 ....Man is image of God, woman is the glory of the man

-1 Cor.11:9 ....woman created for man

-Numbers 30 ....A Man could cancel any vow of his wife or daughters

-None of the Bible was written by women

-None of the Priests were women

-Women were never anointed as King over God's people

-All 12 Apostles were men

-All N. T. Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Pastors, Evangelists were men

-1 Tim. 3:12 ...All Deacons and Elders in scripture were men

-1 Tim. 3:12 ...The offices of bishop, deacon, overseer, & elder had the requirement being the Husband of 1 wife, .... not the wife of 1 husband.

-No woman is named as a Bishop, Deacon, Elder, or Overseer in the church

-the phrase "man of God" is used 73 times in the Bible

-the phrase "woman of God" is never used in the Bible

-All of God's covenants are with the Fathers of Israel, (20+ times) Deut. 4:31

-No mention of any covenants with the Mothers of Israel

-Iniquities of Israel blamed upon the Fathers of Israel (25+) Deut. 5:9

-Prophetesses were never used in scripture to rebuke a King or a false prophet

-Women were never encouraged to teach the Word in the Bible

-No woman ever named as a teacher of the Word in the O.T. or the N.T.

-"Commit the Word to faithful Men" - 2 Tim 2:2 (not to faithful women)

-Forsaking of family members (a father, mother, sister, brother, children and even a WIFE) for the gospel is mentioned in scripture (Matt. 19:29)

.....but NEVER does the scripture speak of a wife forsaking her HUSBAND or children to preach the gospel.

-Women acted as witnesses, helpers, financial sources, teachers of younger women, co-laborers & co-missionaries in the N. T. ministry.

NOTABLE WOMEN IN SCRIPTURE

God decided that He would record for us encouraging exploits of faith by many women in various circumstances. Often their acts were when the men had lost courage, faith or were simply absent from the scene. God seems to have no qualms about using women in various roles, especially when the men are missing or void of faith. Consider these female heroines of faith.

Notable O. T. Women whose acts inspire faith:

-Jochebed & Miriam - Ex. 6

-Ruth - Ruth 1

-Rahab's faith - Joshua 2

-Hannah's conception - 1 Sam.1

-Deborah & Jael - Judges 4

-Abigail's ingenuity - 1 Sam 25

-Widow of Zarephath -1 Kgs17

-The prophet's widow - 2 Kgs 4

-Shunammite - 2 Kings 4

-Naaman's maid - 2 Kings 5

-Esther's intercession - Esther 5

-Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31

O. T. Bible Prophetesses mentioned are:

-Miriam -Ex.15:2

-Deborah-Judges 4:4

-Huldah-2Kg 22:14

-** Noadiah-Neh.6:14 **were spoken of negatively.

-Isaiah's wife-Isa.8:3

-Anna-Luke 2:36

-** Jezebel-Rev.2:20 **were spoken of negatively.

Some distinctions between O.T. Prophetesses & Prophets:

Prophetesses ....

-Were not equals of the male Prophet ministry

-Never reproved a King or a false prophet

(Miriam & Aaron reproved Moses, ...Miriam received leprosy, not Aaron)

-Never taught the Word of God as did the Priest or the Prophets

-Never taught God's Word in the Temple or Synagogue (1 Cor. 14)

Miscellaneous O. T. Facts of Women's Contributions:

-Of a woman, not a man, ("her seed, ...of a woman") was the Promise to come - (Gen 3:15 & Gal 4:3)

-The laver was made of the looking-glasses women contributed (Ex 38:8)

-The Tabernacle's Hangings, Curtains & Priest's Robes were woven by women (Ex. 26, 27, 35)

Several Notable N. T. Women whose acts inspire faith:

-Announcement of Jesus' birth :

Mary, ..Elizabeth, .prophetess Anna

-Woman with a issue of blood

-Syro-Phonecian woman's Faith

-Mary Magdalene

-Women witness Jesus' resurrection

-Woman at the Well

-Women among the 120 at Pentecost

-Women in Joel's 2 prophecy

-Phillip's 4 daughters prophesied

-Timothy's mother, . grandmother

N. T. Women Mentioned as Co-Laborers with Men

in Romans 16:1-2, 3-16

[ 10 women listed, 19 men ]

-Mary -Tryphena -Syntyche -Julia and Nereus' -Tryphosa

-Persis -Euodia sister-Priscilla -Phoebe -Mother of Rufus

-Junia (a feminine name?) In Greek both Junia & Junias have exactly the same spelling as a direct object of a verb. Thus can't tell.

Note**: Each were honored for their faithfulness and contribution to the work of God; yet, none were mentioned among, ...or named as called into the 5 ministry gift callings of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, nor were any women mentioned as being elders, deacons, or bishops.

ONENESS AND EQUALITY

Much is said today of how we are all one in Christ; ...that there is neither male or female in Christ. (Gal 3:28) Truly we "are all one in Christ Jesus." Yet, once you have read the New Testament, you see clearly that God speaks to the male and female in clearly distinctive language, ...with different instructions, ...with different exhortations, ...with different admonitions. It is very simple when we allow the Holy Ghost, the one who wrote the book, to ..."rightly dividing the Word of Truth." (2 Tim 2:12)

Lets look at few statements which God has made in scripture, which are rightly divided. From them you will see that, ...even though there is a oneness, ...there continues to remain a difference in role, in responsibilities, and even a different life-style for the male and female. Notice how God speaks to our weaknesses, ...not to our strengths.

-Man the Head of the Wife, to rule and lead, ...NOT the wife 1Cor 11:3

-Wife to be Subject to Husband, ...NOT husband unto the wife. Eph 5:24

-Man to love wife as Christ loved church, ...NOT ask of woman Eph5:23

-Woman is the weaker vessel, ...NOT the man. 1Peter 3:7

-Woman to have a meek and quiet spirit, ...NOT ask of men. 1Peter 3:4

-Women are to be keepers at home, ...NOT ask of men. Titus 2:5

-Women to obey husbands, ...men NOT asked to obey wives. Titus 2:5

-Younger women exhorted to marry, ..NOT told to young men 1Tim 5:14

-Women to adorn themselves modestly, ....NOT ask of men. 1Tim 2:9

-Women to learn in silence with subjection, ...NOT ask of men 1Tim 2:11

-Women not permitted to teach the Word, ....NOT ask of men. 1Tim 2:12

-Man NOT to have long hair, woman is to have long hair. 1Cor 11:14,15

-Woman saved in childbearing, ...NEVER spoken to men. 1Tim 2:15

-Woman was deceived in original sin, .....NOT man. 1 Tim 2:14

LOGIC ARGUMENTS

Whenever we have difficulty with the teachings of the Scripture on certain issues, we humans tend to use our natural minds to develop arguments to justify why certain scriptural teachings do not apply to us. Here are a few which have developed during this age of feminism to support, that women as well as men, have been called into the same position of preaching and teaching the Word of God.

1> A... Mary carried the Word (baby Jesus) B... The Woman at the well went into town proclaiming Jesus (John 4:28-30) and C... Mary Magdalene was told to go tell the disciples of Jesus' resurrection (Matt. 28:7-9) ....Thus, Jesus anointed, sanctioned and called women to preach, too.

****...FAULTY LOGIC. Each of these women performed tasks for God, witnessed, and etc.; yet, none of them ever became responsible to teach the WORD in a synagogue or the Temple.

2> Anna "spake" of Christ in Jerusalem (Luke 2:38). The Greek word for "spake" is translated "preach" about 6 times in the New Testament, ....Thus women are called to preach.

****....FAULTY LOGIC. The same word used of Anna's speaking in Luke 2:38, (#2980) is the same word used in 1st Cor. 14:35 which forbids women to "speak" (#2980) in the church in the context of LEARNING.

3> Psalm 68:11 "and great was the "company" of those that published it". .... "company" (#06635) is a feminine gender word, ...thus, women are included in the clergy as preachers.

****...FAULTY LOGIC. Numbers 4:3 uses the same feminine word, (#06635) for "hosts", while they are counting the eligible men for work from the tribe of Levi. The problem this time is that the word is still feminine, yet it is used of SONS, who are all masculine, (unless any of the sons were women).

4> We are All one in Christ, neither Male or Female (Gal. 3:28), ......thus women are equivalent to men in the ministry & may hold the same offices.

****FAULTY LOGIC. Oneness in Christ speaks of accessibility to God, of the inner man life of the Spirit which has no gender and regards not gender, nationality, or social status. The blood of the covenant brings all to the same level in Christ, but with different offices and responsibilities. In the united, one body of Christ, different body parts have specific functions. The Oneness of all the diverse parts of our physical bodies demonstrates very well that the heart, eye, mouth, ear, nose, legs, etc. have the same level, or oneness of life, ...yet each has a different function or role.

The Holy Spirit's closing words in the 14th chapter of 1st Corinthians bear repeating. In this passage several comments occur concerning women, and are quite bold. In closing the Holy Spirit said, "If any think himself spiritual let him acknowledge that these things are the commandments of the Lord, ...But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 1 Cor. 14:38

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