Women Preachers

Dear Victorious,

I've also understood that it is wrong for women to teach or be in authority over men. But more and more we see women pastors and women on TV preaching. Is it wrong?

Wilbur M. - Belmont, OH

Dear Wilbur,

Don't get confused here. There are two distinct Biblical truths at play here.

First, women are not to run the church. God established an order for church governance. Men are to lead the churches and women are to be submitted to them.

Second, women can definitely preach. There were always female prophets even in the Old Testament. Acts 2:17 (in the New Testament) tells us that, "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy ..." We are living in the last days.

So the only question I have when I see women preaching is whether or not they are doing so under the authority of at least one man in a role of spiritual authority over them. If they are, it is indeed quite Biblical.