The latest attempt to ignore directive scripture regarding women preaching and teaching with authority over men in God's church.

::::::::

I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. -- 1Timothy 2:13-14 (ESV)

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/79633-8-reasons-why-the-bible-is-the-first-feminist-manifesto

Another day, another attempt to legitimize the cause of Christo-feminism. This purely carnal desire is the same we have seen in our country over the past several decades with the feminist cause growing exponentially each year. Many in church leadership have grabbed the mantle of this unbiblical cause. What we have is quite simple. We have a clear directive scripture, found in the key verses today. There is no ambiguity to these verses. We do not need to read into them. I do not permit means I do not permit and because we believe God divinely inspired the entire bible, it is God saying He does not permit. What does God not permit? For women to teach or exercise authority over man within the church. Additionally, God even provides His reasoning! Why does He not permit women to serve in teaching/preaching capacities over men within His church? Because it was Eve who was deceived. So the above link is to a new piece from Joseph Mattera, who wants to be your apostle! Reading the terrain of the NAR of which he is a part, Mattera has sided with the forces of Christo-feminism over what God has said in His word. This is a futile and clumsy attempt to pretend the bible says something it clearly does not. No matter what kind of verbal gymnastics and cultural mind reading Mattera can do he can never escape the key verses. These direct verses saying what God does not permit. Let us reason once more beloved:

"The other day I realized that the Jewish collection of sacred writ we call the Scriptures was the first feminist manifesto! When I refer to feminist in the context of this article I am describing the celebration, honor, equality and liberty afforded the feminine aspect of humanity called women. (I am not referring to the radical feminist, men-hating agenda prevalent in many circles today.) It is not a coincidence that when we compare women's rights in nations historically influenced culturally by Christianity (especially the Protestant Reformation nations) to nations affected primarily by other religions (such as Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism), there is no comparison! Christian-influenced nations by far have a higher ceiling for women and enable them to serve as leaders in every realm of society. Furthermore, the teachings of Scripture have also paved the way for women in the modern era. History teaches that the 19th century Christian awakenings resulted in an egalitarian movement that motivated women to pursue societal leadership. Powerful ladies such as Phoebe Palmer, Harriet Tubman, Catherine Booth, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth and beyond were "movers and shakers," motivated by the liberation message of the gospel that permeated American culture during the protracted effects of the Second Great Awakening. This also eventuated in the women's suffrage movement that finally enfranchised women in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th amendment. Also, a profound, salient moment that illustrates the power of the gospel to liberate women is how the contemporary Iranian house church movement has more female than male leaders in a male-dominated (Islamic) society. Wow! The following are eight key biblical passages that make the Bible the first feminist manifesto:" -- Joseph Mattera

Ugh. The word manifesto means a public declaration. So to Joseph Mattera, the bible is the first public declaration of feminism. To what does he use for proof? Eight verse sets. There are over 31,000 verses in the bible, within 66 books and Mattera believes that because of eight individual verse snippets he can declare God a feminist and His holy word, a manifesto on feminism. Beloved, this is what happens when you allow carnal causes to cloud your judgment. Joseph Mattera knows the bible better than this. The bible is a manifesto only regarding salvation through Jesus Christ. It does not have a secondary cause. It cares less about the carnal desires of this world. God has set up His order. He does not ask our permission to do so. He does not seek our approval. Realize that even if these upcoming eight scripture portions bear out some female preference, they do not then change the entire canon of scripture. We do not practice hermeneutics in such a slip-shod fashion. No matter what Mattera thinks he has found, it does not change the key verses at all. God does not contradict Himself either, which leads me to conclude that Mattera's eight verse sections do not achieve what he claims they do. The bible is not a feminist manifesto. Let us reason together once more.

"Genesis 1:27: This passage serves as the foundation for the biblical worldview related to human dignity and the sanctity of all (human) life. This scripture makes it clear that both male and female equally represent God as His image-bearers. Being an image-bearer is connected to verse 1:28, which is a command to both genders to serve as God's stewards to manage planet Earth. Hence, we need both a man and a woman's perspective and function if we are going to express God's character and will on the Earth." -- Joseph Mattera

This scripture does nothing of the sort. It actually specifically separates out the creation of man from woman. The bible makes it clear that Adam was formed of the dust while Eve from His rib. Despite this misrepresentation, it is important to realize that both man and woman represent God's image. The problem is that Mattera leaves the rails by claiming this somehow means that we need both man and woman to express God's character and will on the Earth. the truth is we need His word, period. We do not need man or woman's perspective -- just God's.

Numbers 27:1-11, regarding the daughters of Zelophehad: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah were the five daughters of a man called Zelophehad, who had no sons. Some Rabinnic writings identify him as the man stoned to death for violating the Sabbath (see Num. 15:32-36). Their laws stipulated that if a man did not have sons, his land would go to the nearest male relative even if he had daughters. The girls reasoned, "Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he had no son?" Hence, they recognized that their personal situation was discriminatory. Consequently, they took up their case with Moses and the other civic leaders of Israel. In spite of the fact that the world of that day was overwhelmingly a male-dominated patriarchy, the Lord told Moses that the daughters were correct and they were granted their father's inheritance. This is another poignant example of the Hebrew Scriptures being the first feminist manifesto that empowers women! - Joseph Mattera

This is just ridiculous. The scripture portion in question in no way, shape, or form encourages feminism. What it does highlight is the inherent nature of God being just. The daughters pled their case and God agreed with them. This is not some secret manifesto of God therefore empowering all women from that point forward it most certainly does not violate His word. Is it just possible that God thinks it is fair for daughters with no brothers to receive their father's inheritance AND that women should not be allowed to teach and preach with authority over men in the church? Desperately seeking some way to disobey the key scriptures, Mattera hangs his hat on an obscure passage about the civil law in the Book of Numbers. Sad.

"Proverbs 31:10-31: This is a groundbreaking part of Scripture that unpacks the implications related to women serving as co-stewards of creation with men (Gen. 1:27-28). The "excellent" woman prototype illustrated here is not a stay-at-home mom who is always "barefoot and pregnant"! No! This is a woman who--in addition to taking care of her family--buys and sells real estate (Prov. 31:16); manages her own vineyard; sells her own merchandise (v. 18, 24); is a benefactor to the less fortunate (v. 20); creates and designs her own clothes (v. 21, 22, 24); teaches others out of the wealth of her wisdom and has cultural influence in the gates of her city (v. 31)." -- Joseph Mattera

The only person selling vile caricatures of women is Joseph Mattera. While he is busy denigrating women who raise their children and grow their families, he also draws inane conclusions. Throughout Proverbs 31, the writer speaks about the woman's role in raising her family. These additional skills Mattera refers to do not negate the notion of a stay home mom whatsoever. However, being able to buy and sell real estate is not in question for women. Neither is managing her own vineyard, selling her own merchandise, or being a benefactor to the less fortunate. This is a typical scheme of the Christo-feminist. To point to things that are not prohibited and using them to conclude that what is prohibited is actually allowable. The usual tactic is to point to female prophets and say -- "a-ha!"; except no one is saying females cannot prophesy. Just that they cannot preach or teach with authority over men in God's church.

"Romans 16:7: In this amazing passage, Paul's greeting to Andronicus and Junia states that both are of note (or have a great reputation) among the apostles. Hence, we know that at least one female was put in the apostolic category! Of course, this has huge implications for church and culture. Related to the church, women can serve in every ministry function described in Ephesians 4:11." -- Joseph Mattera

Hence, we know that Joseph Mattera does not care how badly he mangles the bible to try and prove his unbiblical point. Most theologians conclude that Junias was indeed a man (referred to in the text as kinsmen). However, even if we grant him a sex reassignment, that does not make him an apostle. All these verses state is that among the apostles, these two individuals were well known. Did you get that? The apostles knew who they were. Not that they were apostles themselves. This sad travesty visited upon Junias is a consistent lie from the Christo-feminist side.

"John 20:18: Mary Magdalene was the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection. This has resulted in many Christian expressions referring to her as "the apostle to the apostles." Furthermore, we see that when Jesus revealed Himself to "the woman at the well" (John 4) God used her to be the first person to proclaim faith in Messiah to the whole city of Samaria! Thus, this illustrates how Jesus chose two women to be the "sent ones" (some would argue as missional apostles) who broke new ground for the gospel." -- Joseph Mattera

The only people who claim Mary Magdalene was the apostle to the apostles are Christo-feminists who like to blow this portion of scripture up far beyond what it was meant for. The reason why Mary Magdalene was the first to see the risen Christ is that she was on her way to prepare the body for burial, which was a female task in those days. Hardly a vision of feminist glory. Within the four gospel accounts this story also varies. In Luke, Jesus first appears to the two men on the road to Emmaus. John's gospel account has the women running away from the empty tomb without seeing the risen Christ. Either way, to call her an apostle is an absolute mugging of the text. It is however not as egregious as calling the woman at the well an evangelist for Samaria! She did not proclaim faith in the Messiah! She said, "Come and see a man who told me all that I ever did. CAN this be the Christ?" That is a question; not a statement.

"Galatians 3:28: In Paul's letter to the Galatians he made this astonishing counter-cultural statement: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." In essence, Paul proclaimed total equality between male and female in the context of the highly patriarchal Roman/hellenistic society. The ensuing effect was that nations most influenced by Christianity elevated women and bestowed upon them the right to be educated, work and even lead!" -- Joseph Mattera

The bible butchering continues. Galatians 3 is dealing with our life under the law versus under Christ. The entire passage is dealing with salvation, not a general manifesto on male-female relations. So when it comes to the saving grace of the Lord, there are no delineations. The foot of the cross is even. Being male or female grants you no extra advantage in being saved. Once again in his desperation Mattera mixes things that are not prohibited, such as education, work and even leadership is some areas with what remains prohibited in the key verses -- women cannot exercise authority over men in reaching and teaching within God's church.

"1 Corinthians 11:5: In the context of a church gathering, Paul allowed women to prophesy. This challenges the paradigm for those who distort Scripture to inhibit women from speaking or teaching in church (prophecy is also considered by many to be a form of preaching!). Also, a passage further on in the letter used to silence women (1 Cor. 14:34-40) has to be read in the context of chapter 10. Since Paul would never contradict himself--by saying in one verse a woman can prophesy and in another verse she must be silent--it must mean something else. A deeper contextual reading of 1 Corinthians 14 shows that the instruction had to do with a wife (who likely sat separately from her husband in church meetings) who interrupted the services by asking her husband questions. It was not referring to women in general being silent. This is why Paul admonished them to ask their husband questions at home if they wanted to learn something (v. 35). Another passage (1 Tim. 2:12-15) used to silence women in general also had to do with a husband/wife dynamic. This section of 1 Timothy is not generically referring to women (there is only one Greek word for woman and wife) since the example used is Adam and Eve--a married couple. Here Paul is saying that he does not allow a wife to exert revelatory (biblical) authority over her husband. Furthermore, the great New Testament scholar NT Wright says the accurate reading of this passage is "I'm not saying that women should teach men, or try to dictate to them--but that they should be left undisturbed" (2:12 in the "Kingdom New Testament" translation)." -- Joseph Mattera

Sigh. Prophecy is not a form of preaching. Mattera tries to muddy the waters by focusing on prophecy, which we have pointed out is allowable. Then he quotes from a warped translation that renders centuries of interpretation as wrong until NT Wright came along. Please. What is clearly worse however is the distortion of the key verses from Timothy. First of all, these verses are not used to silence women. Stop with the over-dramatization. Women can serve in the same roles as men except one area and Christo-feminists are upset they are not permitted that one area. So Mattera tries to pretend that the Timothy verses are about marriage relations, which are never mentioned in the chapter at all. The usage of Adam and Eve was not as an example but rather an explanation as to why God does not permit a woman to teach or preach with authority over men in the church. In this same paragraph Paul writes that he was appointed as a preacher and a teacher who desired all men to lift up holy hands when praying and that women should adorn themselves in modesty and respectable attire. Are these matters that deal with homelife or behavior in the church? I think the answer is obvious. These matters, including that God does not permit a woman to exercise authority over a man are clearly being directed to the young pastor Timothy, regarding the organization of his church.

"Ephesians 5:21-25, 33: During the writing of this passage, in the Roman/Greco culture, men often viewed marriage to women merely as a means for procreation. Love and romance were not usually involved. A husband sacrificing himself and loving his wife as much as themselves (v. 33) was unheard of! Erotic love and romance were often between older and younger men (read Plato's Republic as an example of how normal this was) and infrequently between husband and wife. Christianity changed all that (most specifically this section in Ephesians)! When gentile men got converted, they attempted to treat their wife the same way Jesus loved His bride--the church! Furthermore, 5:21 admonished both husband and wife to submit to one another, which framed the discussion that ensued, related to husband/wife relations regarding submission and respect. Hence, women were elevated in marriage to a place of prominence, which eventually elevated all women in society! In closing, much more can be written about this subject. The above should be enough to demonstrate that the Bible is truly the first feminist manifesto!" -- Joseph Mattera

This is quite the stretch. Yes, Jesus raised the bar across the known culture. Yes, women were to be regarded far higher than the cultures of day rendered them. While verse 21 does say to both to submit, the further passages show instruction for the woman to submit to her husband the man to love his wife as Christ loved the church. Mattera tries to warp this as he has every other scripture to fit his pre-conceived narrative. The notion that God insists that man love his wife means the bible is a feminist manifesto is borderline insane. After all of this bible twisting Mattera cannot escape the key verses and the truth they contain. God says that women can do everything man can do except one thing. Like the Garden of Eden had one forbidden tree, God sets aside one forbidden activity. Along comes the devil to whisper gently into the ears of women; "Surely God did not say""

Yes He did.

Reverend Anthony Wade -- January 27, 2020

Authors Bio:
Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.