ArchivedPaul - 100% Right? All the time?Hi there Nick! I'd just like to make a few comments to start off this discussion. I've also heard alot of people say there are contradictions between Paul and other parts of the Bible, and to be honest, the questions they pose are very difficult to address. I will be interested to see where this thread takes us. I think, logically, that this is a poorly phrased question. The fact that much of what Paul wrote is Scripture means by definition that it does not contradict Scripture. But I know this is not really what you mean. I believe in the infallibility and inerrancy of the Scripture. As such, I know that whenever a skeptic comes up with a contradiction, there is always a reasonable explanation. The trouble comes in trying to convey that explanation to the skeptic, since (as our friend Paul wrote) "the natural man does not receive the things of God." Another reason to believe that Paul does not contradict other parts of the Bible is that Paul is not the author of what he wrote - he is merely the penman. God is the author of the whole Bible, so to say that Paul contradicts the Bible is the same as saying that God contradicts Himself. And that is not possible. So the "short" answer to this question is: No, Paul does not contradict the Scriptures. I don't think this is what you mean either. Paul never said he spoke the truth all the time. If he did, I am unaware of the Scripture to back it up. If you know of any, please let me know. I think what you mean is that Paul in his letters claimed to be speaking on absolute authority from God. This is true, since, as I wrote above, Paul was merely writing what God inspired him to write. And since the message comes from God, it is the truth. Again we must remember that this is not "Paul's attitude" we are talking about here - it's God's. The Scripture you are referring to is found in 1 Corinthians 11. To my knowledge it does not forbid women from even opening their mouths in a church service as your question seems to imply. If it did, churches would be much more quiet during the "meet and greet" times, and my choir would be useless! (Speaking of which, anytime any of you want to pray for more men to join my church's choir, you're more than welcome to!) Rather, this passage teaches that women are not to teach men and they are not to usurp authority over a man in the setting of a church meeting. This does strictly forbid a woman from being a pastor or from teaching an adult sunday school class, but it does not prevent them from teaching an all-ladies group or even a children's class (since there are no men in either of those groups). The reason for this is that the man is responsible to be the spiritual leader (obviously in the home, but also in the church). To address the Scripture that says (more or less) "if a woman has a question, she shouldn't ask it in the church, but she should ask her husband at home" I would say that this is a guideline for women to follow so that they can remain above reproach. How many woman do you know (sorry for the upcoming stereotype, in fact it applies to most men too!) would ask a question, be told something that is contrary to what they believe, and then just leave it at that, without arguing their point further. If, then, they try to argue further, do you agree that they are trying to teach what they believe to others? This teaching is forbidden as I noted above. And so to avoid even the temptation of falling into that trap, Paul advises that a woman should talk to her husband about these things and try to resolve them at home. I hope these comments are helpful. I look forward to the responses of others. |
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