Internal Warfare

We as a Christian Reformed Church have been blest beyond many of our fellow Christians. Our ministers are commissioned to bring God’s Word in all of its fullness. Our elders have the duty of seeing that this is done. We have Christian education in elementary and high schools, colleges, and seminaries. Missions are high on our list. We have much work to do and must first pray that all things might be done in accordance with God’s will. May we ignore the teaching of Scripture, and proceed to work and plan for the ordination of women in church offices?

A Gallop poll taken in 1963 said, “65 percent of Americans believed the Bible was infallible.” In 1982, when a survey was again taken, 27 percent believed the Bible infallible. Is this an indication of what is also going on in our churches? The desire to place women in consistory rooms and in pulpits is so strong in some Reformed circles, that the authority of Scripture is being challenged. Read these texts and there are many more. I Corinthians 11:3, “Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” I Corinthians 14:34, “As in all congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the church. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law says.” I Timothy 2:12, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, she must be silent.”

Now some say these texts do not apply to us in the 20th century. Then man decides which fits our situation or which doesn’t. The women’s liberation movement or the ERA is not taken from Scripture. From anyone who adds thereto, God will take away his share in the tree of life. Our synods need our prayers. We are at a critical time. Let the Scripture be our guide. Let us do what is right before God, and not what seems right in the eyes of man. Unity is a very desirable thing in the church, but it is never to be enjoyed at the expense of Truth. Let us remember what Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit . . . in regard to women in church office. In His Matchless Name.

Henry Mast, Volga, S. D. 57071