Why Are Women in the Ministry?: It’s the Principle of the Matter!

By Rev. Carl Leondus Sweat Jr. D. Min.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781543498103

Rev. Carl Leondus Sweat Jr. D. Min.

Often, when the terms modern, progressive, and revolutionary are used to identify a Christian writer or religious thinker, the initial thought of the reader is the person has severed oneself from traditional biblical ties. Fortunately, this is not the case with Dr. Carl L. Sweat, Jr. He is one of the boldest, prolific present age thinkers, and writers. He is acclaimed for his theological and philosophical accuracy. The intensity of his research explores how extraordinary the fundamental principles of ministry can be when applied to the topic Why Are Women In The Ministry? Dr. Carl L. Sweat, Jr. is marked by unusual intellect, talent, a great capacity for doctrine, seriousness of purpose, and appreciation for lifelong learning. Rest assured that the concepts you receive in this book are practical and logical. Dr. Carl Sweat, Jr. is Pastor of Laurel Hill United Church of Christ, a congregational setting of Christendom. He is the author of The Inability to Love and be Loved, an educational evaluation of the subject love; Why Are Women In The Ministry?, an exciting and informative book; A Cry for Ethical and Moral Strength, a realistic, practical, and objective approach to positive Christian living; and Race, Color, and Religion Matter, an in-depth analysis of how race, color, and religion are destined by the Creator to be used in the fulfillment of His plan of salvation. Dr. Carl Sweat served as the Chairperson of Practical Reasoning and the Coordinator of Paul D. Camp Community College at Smithfield. Dr. Sweat assisted as a professor in the field of religious studies.

Book preview

WOMEN IN THE MINISTRY? WHY?

Christ Prays for Laborers

Principle Building Meditation

Carl L. Sweat, Jr., D. Min.

SCOPE

The title, Why are Women in the Ministry? of this book is used in a manner that identifies clergy positions that for centuries have been considered off-limits to females. The title does not relate to clergy, liturgical positions, or related lay ministries that have been acceptable norms for women. It is a title that confronts the essential issue of effective dialogue advertently steered toward the question Should women be allowed in the ministry? Truth is the key to a resolution.

To be most successful in our search for truth, crucial principles directly related to subjective and objective reasoning must be disclosed because they strongly support and challenge the validity of the questions Why are women being called to non-traditional ministries? and Why does phenomenal resistance to women in ministry exist?

Many interpreters but one interpretation: Reviewing the phenomenal resistance relative to the question Why are Women in the Ministry? requires the reader to look at mankind through the eyes of a number of his or her interpreters as analysis provokes. Even if we discovered one or another of the interpretations of truth to be more satisfactory than the rest, such summing would promote further exploration of human understanding of our existence or an individual\collective attempt to explain the real meaning of a woman’s life. The validity of this statement is entrenched in the certainty that God is continuously revealing His word to man and woman. Also, as humanity becomes more enlightened, more contributions must be considered for a truer and clearer interpretation.

Perhaps the most obvious factor that should be taken in regard focuses on variety and diversity connected to the understanding of humanity in the Western and Eastern cultures. Undoubtedly, it is the consideration of differences that is significant to the peril of the quest for truth. Because diverse people, cultures, societies, and groups of people believe the meaning of a woman’s life is equated to so many intrinsic different things does not negate that we can achieve common reasoning among people of faith in the intent and motive of God’s words. Our difficulty in a vigorous attempt to adequately address our subject is in the navigation through the many schools of thought that mankind has sought after for enlightenment.

The greatest need in our Christian education today is the translation of the best in hermeneutical philosophy and science into terms that can be understood and appropriated by teachers, lay members, students, and clergy. The terms ought to be well structured for the church school and its curriculum so that we may become more effective in interpreting God’s word, his precepts, and his themes. When believers are taught the fundamental principles of biblical and theological reflections, only then can we truly apply ourselves as good stewards and students of God’s word and seek to become more like Christ. These issues of women in the ministry should not be reflected upon through the lens of the meaning of a woman’s life. It should be an issue reflected through the application of two primary concepts. They are God’s Law of Love and God’s Law of Order.

CHAPTER I

Woman - A Suitable Provision

Helpmeet should serve as a term, definition, scope, and matrix

that validate the authenticity of God’s election and call of certain

women. Helpmeet confirms the woman as a suitable provision.

Woman - A Suitable Provision

When we read the Jahvistic (J) account of creation in Gen. 2, we find that the text substantiates an astonishing realism. 1 Tim 2:13-15 confirms the identical truth. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (KJV) The truth is, man was created first and by this initial act of God man was designed for dominion and given preeminence.

But something happened, something dramatic took place. God was very aware that it was not good for man to be alone, or for man to attempt to carry out the task of his ministry alone. It was God who knew in advance that man could not fulfill his task alone. (Gen.2:18). God does not give us more than we can bear, but at times He allows believers to experience the difficulties of life that we may come to the realization we need help. That help can be provided directly from God. Yet, most often it is provided through His usage of other people. The ministry had been administered and man began carrying it out; however, man was not cognizant that he could not perform his task without assistance. He was not aware that without the support of someone compatible he would begin to feel incomplete and feel isolated and lonely. In silence, God reveals, no life should be self-centered nor is it a comfortable situation or environment in which to live.

Later, Adam noticed that he was without a helper. Being that God provides for all our needs, not our wants, Adam truly had a need for a helpmeet, and he had a need to feel accompanied by someone suitable or compatible with him. It is said that woman was made for the man, not the man for the woman; therefore, she is for him and not he for her. However, I clarify that this statement is a contextomy (a quote used out of context). Some have taken it for granted, while others have taken a radical stance against it. Therefore, let us remain mindful that all things work together for the good and that we are united one for another in Christ Jesus.

The truth is God could have replenished the newly re-created world with only men to carry out His will. Undoubtedly, that is neither what man needed nor what he received. God demonstrates His wisdom and extends compassion. He graciously resolved to provide women as a provision. Though the Priestly (P) account of creation in Gen.1 represents the creation of man and woman at the same time, here we find that:

A. The woman is a provision for Adam’s loneliness and solitude.

B. The woman is a provision for Adam’s need for suitable support in his ministry. They both are to work together in unity to fulfill the command of God.

C. The woman is a provision to replenish the fallen angels that equates to more than sands of the sea.

D. Also, through her the replacement of Lucifer and Adam would enter the world.

Out of His love and compassion for man, God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and while he slept God took one of his ribs and created a woman, a helpmeet. The word helpmeet means suitable helper. It ultimately gives the indication that the woman is created adequate in all respect of man to assume the headship of his original role should he not be available, or neglects his responsibilities, or should he designate her to perform such duties. As a provision, she is granted rights and authority by God and can be granted such authority through and by the dominion or authorization of man. The transfer of authority of man to woman must be according to the permissive will of God.

ACTS WHEN GOD USED WOMEN AS PROVISIONS.

Authority Granted by God. (OT)

Exodus 4:24-26 (KJV)

²⁴ And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.

²⁵ Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.

²⁶ So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

Following the breathtaking experience of meeting Jehovah on top of Mt. Sinai, Moses returned the herd to Jethro’s residence. He asked his father-in-law to permit him to return unto his brothers that were in Egypt because he desired to know of their welfare. The priest of Midian, Jethro, blessed Moses by saying, Go in peace. Moses took his wife and two sons. He set them on asses, and they began the grueling journey to Egypt.

The family traveled a great distance before they stopped. At that point, they camped to rest from exhaustion for the remainder of the day. During their lodging, Moses becomes seriously afflicted in his body. His suffering is attributed to the anger of God against him. Moses had neglected to circumcise his son, as the sacred Abrahamic Covenant required. Exodus 4:24 states, "…the Lord met him and sought to kill