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“I think it is more ignorance based than
deception based.” I replied.
I was with two of my minister friends. We
were discussing issues about females in general. My friends were men, one a
pastor and the other, a teacher. My friends were of the opinion that women
(adult females) were more deceived than men. I believed women and men had the
same deception rate. Eve was cited as a typical example for females so I
encouraged them to explore the reasons for Eve’s deception. One argued
stupidity, the other argued impatience, but I argued immaturity.
The discussion continued as we finished
our meal. The pastor thought the reason was because women wanted to compete
with men in the career world instead of staying at home to attend to domestic
chores. I argued that Eve did not compete with Adam in the naming of the
animals or in the tending and keeping the garden yet she still sinned, so
career ambition was not likely to be the reason.
Pastor: It may be the reason for today.
Teacher: She’s right, financial power is
not the real reason. The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31was an entrepreneur and
her marriage was sound. She was a very balanced woman. Women holding top
positions is not why the world is messed up. If you ask me, I think we need
more women in top positions.
“Thank you teacher.” I responded smiling.
Then I began, “If you really think about it, Eve transgressed while she was
doing the so called domestic chore most people believe and preach as the
‘divine vocation’. Eve disobeyed by taking the forbidden fruit and eating it.
The “taking” was a domestic chore. Also, by feeding her husband, feeding is a
domestic chore, she assisted him to transgress as well. So should we tell women
not to prepare food and wives not to feed their husbands in other to reduce the
possibility of transgression?”
Pastor: You say the taking was a domestic
chore, are you agreeing with Eve that God said they should not touch the fruit?
“Not really,” I replied, “although no one
can really prove that age-old argument that she lied by telling the
serpent that God told them not to touch the fruit. Adam was asleep when she was
created and I believe, knowing God like I do, that He talked to her before He
brought her to Adam. Maybe God told her not to touch, maybe Adam told her not
to touch, maybe she made it up, who knows?
Teacher: I really believe the reason
women have it so bad is because they rush into things. They do not take out to
pull back and weigh all options. Seriously, women are more spiritually
sensitive than men but they often go overboard and fall for deceiving and
seducing spirits much quicker.
“If that is the case, then it confirms
ignorance.” I reiterated. “If one goes overboard, one is unlearned and unskilled
in proper measures and balance. I’m also not sure about that women being more
spiritually sensitive than men stance. I don’t recall reading any scripture
that states that. Anyway, let us not forget that Satan has special hatred for
women and this may even be the main reason why women are so often spiritually
oppressed.
Pastor: So you belong to those Christians who blame
everything on the Devil?
“No I don’t,” I replied, “however, I know that God placed
enmity between the Devil and the woman. In other words, assuming Satan has 10%
hatred for men, he will have greater than 10% hatred for women. That to me
means Satan has extra deceiving tactics for women.
Teacher: Even if that is true, the motivation for rebellion
is still within women. For example, why didn’t Eve ask Adam whether she should
eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil? If she had asked her
husband, who knew the truth, I’m sure he would have told her no. Women’s
deception is power motivated. They want to take the authoritative position of
men.
“That premise is unbalanced.”
Teacher: Why?
“Because Adam received the fruit from his wife despite his
knowledge of the truth of God’s judgement. If he didn’t stop her from eating
the fruit, and he didn’t stop himself from eating it, why should we even assume
that his opinion would be different if she had sought his counsel?”
Teacher: Alright, while I may not be sure Adam would have
said no, I am at least sure that God said Eve would try to usurp Adam’s
authority over her. That is one of the consequences of the fall.
“Yes, God did say that,” I responded, “He also balanced it
by stating that when she does, Adam would rule over her.”
Pastor: I think you are both looking at this all wrong. The
issue may not be financial dominion, domestic control, societal prestige,
immaturity or impatience. The issue is spiritual strength and jealousy. Women
want the spiritual position God has given only to men. From the beginning, the
spirit of man was stronger than that of woman. That’s why Adam was made first.
“That is unscriptural!” I stated. “From the beginning, God
made both of them equal spiritually. Check Genesis 1:26. Emissary Paul confirms
that in Galatians 3:28. They are also equal soulishly, the only difference is
physical.”
Pastor: That is why there are problems and there will always
be problems. I believe the difference is at all levels.
Teacher: Hmm, that does sound wrong. I don’t believe that.
We are on the same level in Christ. But women are the weaker vessels as apostle
Peter declared. The difference is physical.
Pastor: Let me agree with your trend of thought for a
moment. Now explain to me why God does not call women to be ministers,
especially pastors? Women’s calling and ministry is the home and children.
“Who said God did not call them?” I retorted. “The question
we should ask is why many churches do not ordain women that are called?”
Teacher: Pastor, please don’t let us start that old school
mentality. Jesus Christ is the One that calls us and He decides who is what.
God has used women to bless me spiritually. The pastor who ordained me is a
woman!
Pastor: Let’s just rest it there. I don’t believe women
should preach, especially in the capacity of a pastor. That’s what Paul said.
Have you forgotten the deceived woman in Timothy’s church? In my church, I
allow women to teach Sunday school, hold women’s fellowship and participate in
intercessory prayer. That’s it.
“That’s spiritual abuse in my own opinion.” I
responded. “Your church and ministry will suffer if you refuse to give both men
and women the equal spiritual rights God has given them.
Teacher: Do women prophesy in your church?
Pastor: No. I don’t allow prophecies. That’s when all these
demonic activities begin. The word of God I teach is enough prophecy.
“I strongly suggest that you study the issue further?” I
asked.
Pastor: What other study is there to do? This is how I received
my doctrine from my spiritual fathers and that is what I shall pass on to my
spiritual children. There is no new revelation.
Teacher: My brother, ask the Lord o. I am
not a pastor, but I am not comfortable with that kind of doctrine. You are
subtly supporting the suppression of women. If our women are not free in the
church, where can they be free?
“This discussion started with your
statement that African women were oppressed.” I stated. “If you can identify
that truth, but cannot see your role in the process of the suppression, you are
just as guilty as the other abusers.”
Pastor: I am not unique in my stance
regarding women’s role in the church.
Teacher: No you are not. However, you
must study and review your beliefs. I don’t support women disrespecting men,
but I don’t stand for men disrespecting women either.
Pastor: Alright, I will agree with that. However, many women
are unteachable. They think they know everything. I can give you countless
cases from my seven years of pastoring. Women are their own problems.
Teacher: Then do bible expositions on
ministry.
“I think you need to do a teaching on
spiritual rights first.” I responded. “I recommend a thorough bible study on
who we are in Christ and how God sees each of us.
Pastor: I know you’ll say that because
you are a woman, God’s word is very clear, women should keep house.
Teacher: What should the unmarried women
do then? They don’t have a house to keep.
Pastor: They should assist those that
have homes.
“Pastor…” A lady dressed in brown leather shirt and pants
greeted my pastor friend. “Bawoni (how are things?)”
Pastor: TC, good to see you. Bawoni (how are
things?)?
Introductions were made and TC asked “Are you a writer?” I
responded positively and she pulled a paper out of her pocket and asked “Did
you write this?” I nodded my head and she gave me a hug. “I was going to write
you to request for more confessionals but God is so good, I’m meeting you in
person.”
We got more acquainted and decided to keep
in touch. Before she left for her table, I commented on her attire and
appreciated her bold look.
Pastor: Both of you must pay me for the women thing you just
created.
Teacher: Yes o. Did you see how she hugged Derbrah and only
shook our hands? Women and their clicks!
“You’re just jealous.” I teased. “Green is not your color.”
Pastor: The person that made green the color of jealousy and
envy did not do well. I love that color. Now I have to share it with a bad
emotion.
Teacher: Oh let’s talk about more important things. Like…
“Derbrah, Derbrah” I heard my name and
turned. It was Emma, my East African friend. We exchanged greetings,
introductions were made and she left for her table.
Every time I see Emma, I remember my
first son. Her daughter and my son are about the same age. That reminds me, I
have to buy chocolate eggs.
“Let’s digress a little,” I started,
“does any of you celebrate the resurrection with chocolate eggs and bunnies?”
Both replied no.
“I don’t either,” I responded, “however,
my son’s school does. I have to get some chocolate eggs when I leave here.”
Pastor: Easter is a pagan holiday. The
best way to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is to go from
house to house preaching His good news.
Teacher: Everything is so distorted
nowadays. What has chocolate got to do with the resurrection?
“As long as I tell my children the truth
of God’s word, I don’t see why I should be bothered. Chocolate eggs is just candy,
it’s not like offering sacrifices or something else.
Pastor: If I were you, I would not buy
the eggs, let’s stop giving the world our money.
Teacher: So you want her son to be the
only one who did not bring chocolate eggs to school?
Pastor: I’m just being real. If she does
not believe Christians should celebrate the resurrection with eggs, which are a
symbol of pagan worship, she should have her son excused.
Derbrah writes courtesy of Agape for All Ministries. Author
retains copyright.
Jadesọla’s
restaurant is a drama ministry of the Yoruba Christian Women (YCW), an
international faith-based non-governmental, not-for-profit organization.
Similarity of names and stories are coincidental. Feel free to copy for
non-commercial use. Commercial use requires permission. For more information on
YCW write Jesutoyin Ajikẹ-King (toyinking@yahoo.com).
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Posted by Robot| 23.03.2008 12:25