Can Women Teach Theology To Men?

Over the past few years, I have become increasingly awakened to some unbiblical, shocking and unbrotherly views being expressed toward women in certain evangelical circles. 

I like to listen, watch and read quality biblical teaching from both my brothers and my sisters in Christ. Not only have I learned some good theology from women, but considering the perspective of female teachers helps me to see things in a different light and to be more empathetic toward a woman's point of view. I am convinced that the silencing of women's voices is a primary reason for much that troubles the church. 

One of the controversies has been over whether women can teach men. Questions are asked such as: Can a woman speak to a mixed gender group of Christians? Can women participate in classroom discussions where men are present? Can a woman teach Scripture to a mixed gender Sunday School class? Can a woman be the main speaker in a church's weekend service? Or is it even appropriate for a woman to include explanation of Scripture in a public speech which might be heard by men? May a female Christian Education teacher include the exegesis of Scripture in her class? Can a woman address a conference? Or may she voice an opinion in a church meeting? There are some who would say no to any or all of these questions and cite Scripture in a way that seems to support their point of view. I am not one of those people. Let's examine one of the key questions of our day with a thorough investigation of the counsel of Scripture on the subject of: 

Can Women Teach Theology To Men?

Anna Proclaims the Good News of Jesus' Birth
When Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated to the Lord, he met 2 important people, Simeon and Anna, a woman who lived at the temple and served God there. Simeon declared that Jesus was God's salvation, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. The Bible tells us that Anna was there and:

At that very moment, she came up and began giving thanks to God and continued to speak about him to ALL who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 

Anna proclaimed the news that Jesus was the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises to ALL of the Jewish people. Starting in the temple, where people came from all around the world, she shared the good news with everyone she could find. Some believe that this woman finally left the temple and went all throughout Jerusalem and even through all of Judea spreading the news. It is indisputable that she declared this truth to both men and women. The news of Jesus' birth, the INCARNATION, is one of the 3 most important Theological truths of all time, and Anna taught this truth to men. Another truth is Jesus' Resurrection.

Mary & Women Share the News of Jesus' Resurrection
On the morning of Jesus' RESURRECTION, an angel told Mary Magdalene and other women that Jesus had risen. He specifically sent them to go and tell the disciples the good news.

The angel said to the women.....He is not here for He is risen as He said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee, you will see him there..….So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. Just then, Jesus met them and said "Greetings!".....Then Jesus told them, Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and  they will see me there. (Matthew 28:5-10)

Jesus and the Angel specifically sent the women to teach the men the good news of his resurrection. Luke 24:7-10 shows how the angel reminded the women about the importance of Jesus' betrayal, crucifixion and rising on the 3rd day. Then:

Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, the mother of James, and the other women with them were Telling the Apostles these things...

Women were entrusted with the good news of Jesus' finished work on the cross and they were specifically told by a heavenly messenger and by Jesus, Himself, to proclaim these truths to men. Jesus very first interaction under the New Covenant was to send women to proclaim the good news that he had risen from the grave.

Clearing Up The Controversy
Peter said that some of Paul's writings were difficult:

His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Peter affirmed the validity of Pauls' writings, but his words also encourage us to study and teach carefully when we encounter the difficult passages. Clearly, we have seen that New Testament women taught men important Biblical truths. Acts 2:17 shows us that on the day of Pentecost, the prophecy of Amos came to pass:

And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy

1 Corinthians 11 demonstrates that it was the normal expectation that New Testament women would both Pray and Prophesy in the public gatherings of God's people. To prophesy is to speak for God. Strong's concordance describes prophecy as speaking with divine authority about the past, present or future. To the Greeks, a prophet, or prophetes, was someone who could interpret oracles. Since all of the Bible is considered the oracles, or words (logion) of God, prophecy includes teaching and explaining the Bible. But in Chapter 14:34-35, Paul writes:

The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the law also says: If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

Seems pretty cut and dried, right? Not so fast. The word "keep silent," or sigao, is actually used twice in the preceding verses. The men and all people in the church have been commanded to be silent as well, not just the women. As a teacher, I often tell my students to be quiet or stop talking. That's what Paul is doing. This chapter is about maintaining orderly worship in the church. Paul affirms the earlier teaching about prophesy again in verse 31:

For you may ALL prophesy one by one so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

All people may prophesy in church, but Paul is telling the women to stop talking and interrupting worship. If they have questions, they should ask their husbands at home, not in the middle of church. They should remain in submission, which is our favorite Greek word, hupotasso, meaning willing cooperation and partnership. Paul is addressing the fact that women will be present and participating in the New Testament assembly of God's people, but must be respectful and cooperative. They are allowed to prophesy, propheteuo, which means to speak, comfort, correct, interpret Scriptures and teach under divine prompting. But no one, male or female, is allowed to laleo, to talk, in church. Everyone can't speak all at once. Paul was bringing peace to the church. Verse 33 teaches:

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace...

Women are allowed to speak in Christian gatherings. I would also ask does not 1 Corinthians 11 demonstrate women praying and prophesying out loud in the assembly of God's people? It is evident that Anna spoke in the temple. It is clear that Mary and others spoke in the assembly of the disciples. Women were hosting and speaking in the house churches of the New Testament. Let's examine Paul's instructions a bit further. 

In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul writes:

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over a man...

Paul forbids women to teach/usurp authority over a man. This does not mean that women cannot teach men at all. That would obviously contradict the clear teaching found elsewhere in Scripture. When a passage of Scripture is difficult, we allow clear passages to shed light on it's meaning and as we have already seen, women teach men throughout the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul established that if a man received a prophetic word from the Lord, He could interrupt (usurp) the speaker and give the message. Here, he shows that women did not have that particular right. They can speak in church, but they cannot interrupt, contradict or embarrass a man when he is teaching. He reminds them to learn quietly and cooperatively. This passage demonstrates the principle that a woman should not teach against a godly man. She cannot plot, plan, scheme, manipulate or take any action to undermine the authority or influence of a Christian man. To usurp means to kill authority, to overstep. It means a woman can't push a man down to elevate her own position in the church. She can't teach against or undermine a godly man. She can't seek to hide his talents and abilities for her own personal gain or that of her friends. This is never an excuse for abuse. It is appropriate, right, good and necessary to speak out against abusive men. This passage is meant to protect real, Christlike men, not abusers. Ladies, every time you usurp authority over a godly man, you build a staircase for an arrogant, ungodly man to walk up and fill that position. I have witnessed this. I have encountered a few women who tried to hide the abilities of men or undercut their influence so that they or their significant other could shine. On the other hand, I have also worked with godly women who were always on the lookout for godly men and women. These ladies took pleasure in seeing both men and women step up to fulfill their calling. 

Priscilla and Aquilla Teach Apollos
The book of Acts, chapter 18 introduces us to a man from Alexandria named Apollos. When Apollos arrived at Ephesus, he was mighty in the Scriptures and an eloquent speaker. He was intelligent, educated and brave. But Priscilla knew more than he did. She and her husband Aquila had travelled with Paul and been taught. She could easily have shown Apollo up as he began teaching in the church. She could have walked up to the front of the assembly, usurped his teaching and torn him down. But she did not humiliate him. Instead, she demonstrated the reason for Paul's instructions not to usurp. She recognized Apollos' gifts and God's calling on his life, so instead of using him as a footstool to elevate herself, she and Aquila took the time to mentor and equip Apollos, bringing him into the church that met in their home. Since Apollos only knew about the baptism of repentance taught by John, they obviously taught him about the re-birth and re-newal that comes from the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. They taught him about SALVATION and the infilling of the Spirit. Because of their instruction, Apollos set off to Corinth were he was able to powerfully refute unbelieving Jewish leaders and many accepted Jesus and were saved. He succeeded where Paul had failed. Priscilla taught him theology, but she did not wield or force her authority on him, she released his true potential and used her ability and knowledge to build him up, not tear him down. 

Conclusion
Priscilla demonstrates the right attitude, heart and purpose for women to minister to and teach men. I do believe that it would be inappropriate for a married woman to disciple a man so closely without her husband, but it was perfectly acceptable, good even, for Priscilla and her husband Aquila to mentor Apollos together. 

In the Sunday morning gatherings of NRH Baptist church, women pray, read scripture, make announcements, lead worship and offer testimonies to the congregation. Both women and men teach Sunday school classes and participate in theological discussions every week. I said I was not going to address what offices and titles a woman can hold in the church with this post. Perhaps, I'll open that can of worms on another day. I will state that there is a difference between the position of overseer and the ministry of teaching, a contrast between the role of one who supervises the teachers and the actions of the ones doing the teaching. The fact is, that the act of teaching is not wielding authority or a position of power over someone. Jesus is the only true authority in the church. Leaders are servants of the church. We are brothers and sisters ministering to each other. My purpose in writing is to demonstrate that women can teach men and speak the words of God in public. 

In Deuteronomy 6, women are called to teach children. In Titus 2:3-4 women are called to teach other women. So there are billions of people that all women can teach right there. 

In the Old Testament, Miriam led the nation of Israel in worship. Prophetesses such as Deborah and Huldah delivered God's messages, instructions and even judgements to men. Are we now to believe that under the New Covenant, where the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon both sons and daughters to prophecy, where there is no longer Jew nor Greek, male nor female in terms of our equality in Christ Jesus, where all people have received a commission to spread the Gospel...are we really to believe that more restrictions are to be placed on women proclaiming God's word? May it never be. 

Think of the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well of Jacob. She testified about Jesus to the whole town and invited them to come to Him to see if He was the Messiah. Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of her testimony and after she brought them to the Lord, they truly believed that He was the Savior of the world. 

Numerous women played key roles in the New Testament church. I have chosen to highlight those for whom we have incontrovertible proof that they taught men, as well as and where and what they taught. Here is a quick summary review:

1. Incarnation (Jesus is alive)
Anna taught men and women that Jesus, the promised Savior had been born. She taught at the temple and perhaps outside as well.

2. Resurrection (Jesus lives again)
Mary and the women taught men that Jesus had risen from the dead. They walked right into the place where the disciples were assembled together proclaiming the good news. 

3. Salvation (Jesus lives in our hearts)
Priscilla taught Apollos about the regeneration that comes from the Holy Spirit coming into our lives. She and her husband hosted a house-church.

These ladies taught 3 key pieces of the Gospel in places where God's people assembled together. Such an assembly is called an ekklesia in Greek, translated as church. These women taught Important Theology...to Men and Women...Inside and Outside of the Church. My answer to all of the questions posed at the beginning of this article is an emphatic, YES. Of course women can do those things. There is absolutely nothing in the Bible that would ever prevent a woman from sharing the Good News and teaching Scripture. The Great Commission is for all people. God has always entrusted women with the important responsibility of teaching His word. 

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For further study, here is part 2 of the series, looking at the qualifications for an overseer found in 1 Timothy 3, click the link below:

Can Women Be Pastors? A Close examination of 1 Timothy 3:1-7