This week we are reviewing chapters 11 and 12. The other ladies involved are:
Molly
Kristen
Jenna
Sal
Chapter 11 focusses on the differences between men and women, and why women are easily deceived.
I Timothy 2:13-14 "For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."
Debi Pearl writes: Satan knew that the man could not be deceived, but the woman could. So, when she drew near to the tree, he convinced her that life would be better if she sought the higher state of being, "like the gods" - gaining spiritual insight into the nature of good and evil. Eve was deceived in three ways:
2. She succumbed to its beauty, desiring it for its pleasant appearance. She did not follow logic; she followed her "sensibilities."
3. She wanted "deeper" spiritual insights than those provided by God.
p 107
I think the #3 reason certainly shows itself a lot in modern Christianity. Not content with our role as women, or with God's word itself, many women seek all sorts of information and experiences that ultimately cause trouble.
Mrs Pearl spends a lot of time contrasting the natures of men and women in this chapter. I think she's mostly right, and although she talks a lot about the physical aspects of men and their desire to conquer things she includes inventions and science which are not burly muscle subject but which still demonstrate a type of conquering. I know there are women in science - good ones too - but it is still a field dominated by men.
Later in the chapter she contrast Jezebel and her type to various examples of Godly women. You can read about the Jezebel spirit at No Greater Joy.
Chapter 12
In this chapter Mrs Pearl concentrates on two simple ideas:
1. God made men to rule.
2. God made women to not rule.
There are plenty of Bible verses in this chapter. I am not going to spend much time writing about this chapter but I do want to comment on a couple of verses and what Mrs Pearl says about them.
I Timothy 2:12 - But I suffer not [do not allow] a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, [that includes your pastor] but to be in silence. (parenthetical statements and emphasis Debi Pearl's)
I Corinthians 14:34 "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience; as also saith the law." Mrs Pearl points out that Paul is not responding merely to then-current Greek culture but is saying that this rule for women has been around for a long time.
Mrs Pearl, through discussing a letter she had received in which the writer defended women preaching (because they could be used by God, and be good preachers), points out that it is exactly because women can be very good speakers and teachers that this command was given by God. She points out that the issue is not one of qualification but of authorization.
That is such an important point and is so overlooked. After all, if women were consistently miserable at preaching and leading, they wouldn't be tempted to do it so much. I wonder if one of the reasons men are to be the speakers and leaders is because so many don't feel they have good verbal skills (for preaching) or leadership skills - and if women wouldn't jump in all the time, men could have a greater opportunity to develop those skills or let God supernaturally gift them either permanently or for a certain circumstance. But they won't ask God for help (and therefore won't receive it) if they are not in a position where they need to ask. If women are always stepping in to fill the gaps (and we can be so quick to do so) many men who otherwise would become (perhaps slowly!) aware that they need to do something, simply sit back and become lethargic.
Mrs Pearl discusses the cases of Deborah and Priscilla in this chapter. I especially liked the "Time to Consider" section for this chapter (this part is at the end of every chapter). There were several very practical things to do which will have spiritual repurcussions.
.
Chapter 11 focusses on the differences between men and women, and why women are easily deceived.
I Timothy 2:13-14 "For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."
Debi Pearl writes: Satan knew that the man could not be deceived, but the woman could. So, when she drew near to the tree, he convinced her that life would be better if she sought the higher state of being, "like the gods" - gaining spiritual insight into the nature of good and evil. Eve was deceived in three ways:
1. She followed her flesh in desiring the tree for its food properties.
2. She succumbed to its beauty, desiring it for its pleasant appearance. She did not follow logic; she followed her "sensibilities."
3. She wanted "deeper" spiritual insights than those provided by God.
The source of Eve's failure was her unwillingness to believe God and her husband.
p 107
I think the #3 reason certainly shows itself a lot in modern Christianity. Not content with our role as women, or with God's word itself, many women seek all sorts of information and experiences that ultimately cause trouble.
Mrs Pearl spends a lot of time contrasting the natures of men and women in this chapter. I think she's mostly right, and although she talks a lot about the physical aspects of men and their desire to conquer things she includes inventions and science which are not burly muscle subject but which still demonstrate a type of conquering. I know there are women in science - good ones too - but it is still a field dominated by men.
Later in the chapter she contrast Jezebel and her type to various examples of Godly women. You can read about the Jezebel spirit at No Greater Joy.
Chapter 12
In this chapter Mrs Pearl concentrates on two simple ideas:
1. God made men to rule.
2. God made women to not rule.
There are plenty of Bible verses in this chapter. I am not going to spend much time writing about this chapter but I do want to comment on a couple of verses and what Mrs Pearl says about them.
I Timothy 2:12 - But I suffer not [do not allow] a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, [that includes your pastor] but to be in silence. (parenthetical statements and emphasis Debi Pearl's)
I Corinthians 14:34 "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience; as also saith the law." Mrs Pearl points out that Paul is not responding merely to then-current Greek culture but is saying that this rule for women has been around for a long time.
Mrs Pearl, through discussing a letter she had received in which the writer defended women preaching (because they could be used by God, and be good preachers), points out that it is exactly because women can be very good speakers and teachers that this command was given by God. She points out that the issue is not one of qualification but of authorization.
That is such an important point and is so overlooked. After all, if women were consistently miserable at preaching and leading, they wouldn't be tempted to do it so much. I wonder if one of the reasons men are to be the speakers and leaders is because so many don't feel they have good verbal skills (for preaching) or leadership skills - and if women wouldn't jump in all the time, men could have a greater opportunity to develop those skills or let God supernaturally gift them either permanently or for a certain circumstance. But they won't ask God for help (and therefore won't receive it) if they are not in a position where they need to ask. If women are always stepping in to fill the gaps (and we can be so quick to do so) many men who otherwise would become (perhaps slowly!) aware that they need to do something, simply sit back and become lethargic.
Mrs Pearl discusses the cases of Deborah and Priscilla in this chapter. I especially liked the "Time to Consider" section for this chapter (this part is at the end of every chapter). There were several very practical things to do which will have spiritual repurcussions.
.
