Can Women Be Deacons?

Summary

The speaker addresses the question of whether women can hold the office of deacon in the church, arguing that it is a matter of service, not authority. The speaker explains that deacons do not exercise the same kind of authority as elders, making it a different role. They acknowledge differing opinions but emphasize that believing women can be deacons is not a capitulation to feminism. Citing biblical passages like 1 Timothy 3:11 and Romans 16:1, they make a case for women serving as deacons, leaving the final judgment to the reader's interpretation of scripture.

Takeaways

• 😀 The issue of whether women should be allowed to serve as deacons is a significant and perennial debate within the church.
• 😀 The speaker respects both sides of the argument but personally believes the office of deacon is open to qualified women.
• 😀 The speaker views the office of deacon not as one of authority or oversight, but as one of service.
• 😀 1 Timothy 2:12, which forbids women from exercising authority over men, is seen as addressing the office of elder, not deacon.
• 😀 There is no equivalent verse in the New Testament that forbids women from serving as deacons.
• 😀 Hebrews 13:17 emphasizes obedience to church leaders (elders), but there is no parallel verse for deacons.
• 😀 The office of deacon is distinct from that of elder, with deacons overseeing specific areas of church life, not the entire congregation.
• 😀 While deacons may gain influence through their service, they do not have the same level of leadership over the whole congregation as elders.
• 😀 The belief that women can serve as deacons does not align with modern-day feminism and has historical precedent, with examples from church history like Spurgeon, Calvin, and the early church fathers.
• 😀 1 Timothy 3:11 refers to women deacons, and Romans 16:1 mentions Phoebe as a female office-holder in the early church, further supporting the idea of women serving as deacons.

Q & A

What is the central issue being discussed in the transcript?

The central issue is whether or not women should be allowed to hold the office of deacon in the church. The speaker explores this topic from a biblical perspective.

How does the speaker view the office of deacon?

The speaker understands the office of deacon as one of service, rather than authority or oversight, which is why they believe women can be qualified for the role.

What biblical verse does the speaker refer to when discussing the prohibition of women in certain church offices?

The speaker refers to 1 Timothy 2:12, where Paul states, 'I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man,' which the speaker believes forbids women from holding the office of elder.

What distinction does the speaker make between deacons and elders?

The speaker distinguishes deacons from elders by noting that deacons do not exercise authority over the entire congregation. Deacons typically oversee specific areas of church life, while elders care for the spiritual welfare of the whole church.

Does the speaker believe women serving as deacons is a modern-day feminist issue?

No, the speaker believes that allowing women to serve as deacons is not a capitulation to modern-day feminism. They point to historical examples, including figures like Spurgeon and Calvin, who have held the position of women deacons.

What argument does the speaker make for the inclusion of women in the office of deacon?

The speaker points to biblical passages, particularly 1 Timothy 3:11, and the example of Phoebe in Romans 16:1. They argue that these texts suggest that women held official positions as deacons in the early church.

What does the speaker say about the role of deacons in relation to church authority?

The speaker emphasizes that deacons do not have the same level of authority or oversight as elders. Deacons lead by serving, with authority typically limited to specific areas of church life, unlike elders who care for the whole congregation.

How does the speaker address the historical precedent for women deacons?

The speaker highlights that, although the position of women deacons has not always been a majority view, it has been a legitimate understanding throughout church history, citing notable figures such as Spurgeon and Calvin.

What is the significance of 1 Timothy 3:11 in the speaker’s argument?

The speaker interprets 1 Timothy 3:11 as referring to women deacons, rather than the wives of deacons, arguing that this supports the idea that women can serve in the office of deacon.

How does the speaker approach the issue of women deacons in their own book?

The speaker presents the best arguments both for and against women deacons in the appendix of their book, ultimately leaving the decision to the reader to make an informed judgment based on God's Word.