God as Father?

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revjohn said:
So, if any are found to be righteous what excuse exists to limit that righteous child of God from any ecclesial office?

I've already shared my thoughts on this John, as well as sharing a video on the subject.

revjohn said:
What heir of God or co-heir of Christ should be refused consideration for any role within the Church?

None, so long as they are qualified and called.

revjohn said:
Do we really imagine that a heavenly and loving Father would disdain any child on the basis of their gender? Just because the children might be so ignorant and prejudicial do we claim God must be?

I personally do not believe that God disdains (treats with contempt, despises, scorns) anyone John. Perhaps you feel different. At the same time, I personally do not believe that God is ignorant and prejudicial. I do hold that he's sovereign, and so has called for a certain order of roles within the Church. When considering who the ignorant children are John, perhaps some thought should be given as to who the ones are who cannot see that since the genders are different, a difference in roles is called for between said genders.
 
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Well maybe...or maybe not....even the stones are crying out.
In the catacombs of Priscilla in Rome, the frescoes (230-240 AD) found there possibly depict women celebrating the banquet of the Eucharist and another shows a woman with outstretched arms like a priest.

The vatican says that these assertions of women as once being priests are "fairy tales"

What do you think?

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Well maybe...or maybe not....even the stones are crying out.
In the catacombs of Priscilla in Rome, the frescoes (230-240 AD) found there possibly depict women celebrating the banquet of the Eucharist and another shows a woman with outstretched arms like a priest.

The vatican says that these assertions of women as once being priests are "fairy tales"

What do you think?

I do not know if the Vatican is correct in their assessment or not. However, that women have served as Christian leaders (priests, pastors, elders, ministers) in the past (and some do so today) does not necessarily mean that they should so serve.
 
When considering who the ignorant children are John, perhaps some thought should be given as to who the ones are who cannot see that a difference in roles is called for between the genders.
The churches calling for "different roles between the genders" is fine by me because it's bigoted and stupid and rightly erodes the authority of Christianity. The concept that the accepted highest offices in any organization are open only to men is one that everyone else has recognized as wrong and the world is slowly working to correct. Even some Christians get that. The only people scrambling to excuse the bigotry are the more backward religious groups.

Look, I'm not even convinced you disagree with women as ministers, pastors or priests. I know you'll regurgitate the worst policy statements available, just to see the reaction. But this deserves the rebuke it gets, just in case any girls are reading.
 
C&MA---- Christian and Missionary Alliance.---

unsafe says and posted part of article

This is interesting ------read all here ----https://www.cmacan.org/uploads/content/the-roles-of-men-and-women-in-ministry.pdf

The Roles of Men and Women in Ministry


Historically, the C&MA in Canada has valued unity in vision while accepting diversity in biblically-supported theological positions. Continuing in this biblically-grounded practice, we welcome, respect, and value those who hold differing views on the role of men and women in the church. We desire for all to work together in unity, requiring none be silent about, or betray their convictions. Our differences are to be managed, not eliminated. We heartily believe that the Alliance “theological tent” is large enough for all of us, and that the person and presence of Jesus Christ is our unifying centre. To this end, the following document has been prepared to assist us in affirming the convictions that we share, understanding and learning from our differences, and covenanting to move forward together amidst our diversity with mutual love and respect as we seek to reach the nations for the glory of God.

1. Before God and one another we share agreement in the following truths:

1.1. CREATED EQUAL –

Men and women are both created in the image of God and invited into relationship with Him. As such they are equal in value, dignity and worth
(Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:26-29).


1.2. GIFTED & EMPOWERED TO LEAD

Both men and women are filled with the Holy Spirit and gifted to serve and lead in the Body of Christ. Throughout Scripture God has used both men and women in places of leadership, having influence in governance and in spiritual affairs (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17-18; 1 Corinthians 11:4-5; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12). 1.3. CALLED

TO BIBLICAL-LEADERSHIP

All leaders in the church are called to follow the model of Christ by leading with sacrifice, humility, and love. There is no room in the church for domineering or abusive forms of leadership. The Bible is our guide for discerning the qualifications and mandate of leaders in the church (Philippians 2:5-8; Mark 10:42-45; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-5).

1.4. COMMISSIONED TO PARTICIPATE IN A GLOBAL MANDATE

In responding to the call of our Lord Jesus to follow Him and take His message of love and reconciliation to the whole world, we in the C&MA believe that God has called both men and women, empowered by God’s Spirit, to serve in this Kingdom task (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20).


unsafe says ----
This seems to say as long as both men and women have the Holy Spirit both are welcome to serve and lead in the Body Of Christ ------

Having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is very --very --very important in holding any position of authority in the Church setting as far as I am concerned ------without the Holy Spirit indwelling in the person according to scripture they are away from God and are not able to teach ---preach or hold any authority in God's house ---Why ---Because Spiritually all without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are spiritually blinded by the god of this world -

Preaching God's word or holding a Godly positions in His Church buildings should be having God in us only ------and that is for both men and women ----in my view

unsafe posted part of article ---read all here
Lesson 53: The Blind See, but the Seeing are Blind (John 9:35-41)

The Blind See, but the Seeing are Blind (John 9:35-41)

Jesus alone has the power to open blind eyes.


to use the blindness and light metaphor (2 Cor. 4:4, 6), Satan “has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Then, how can we gain spiritual sight? Paul continues, “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” Just as God’s power spoke light into existence, so His power opens blind eyes when He saves a soul.

unsafe says -----neither man nor woman should hold any position in God's Church without God in them --for they are spiritually blinded -----they cannot be Christ like in their attitude -walk or knowledge in my view ------

I don't understand what all the fuss is about in God's eyes men and women are equal -----Eve brought on the woman thinking they are inferior to men by her disobedience in the garden ------not God ------we woman brought it on ourselves ------we just don't like to take the blame ------


And don't think Satan doesn't play on that one in the minds of women ------you can see it right here on this sight ------


Genesis 3:16 ----here we see men will rule over women in this world ------but not in God's eyes or world when we have God in us -----we are then equal -----we women did this to ourselves ----like it or not ----- in Spirit there is no gender ------


images
 
unsafe, you continue to highlight the worst parts of the bible for me. And you were doing so well until then, too.
 
Jae said:
I personally do not believe that God disdains (treats with contempt, despises, scorns) anyone John. Perhaps you feel different.


I don't believe God behaves in that way. I also do not believe humans do not behave in that way. Some less so than others. God is the only one who qualifies as good.

Jae said:
At the same time, I personally do not believe that God is ignorant and prejudicial. I do hold that he's sovereign, and so has called for a certain order of roles within the Church.

If you read all of that and thought I was building an argument to prove God ignorant and prejudicial you have a serious comprehension problem. Having consistently championed God as gracious since the founding of Wondercafe.ca I haven't posted anything that is inconsistent in advancing the idea of God as gracious.

I have said, and will continue to say, that the children of God do not fully participate in God's graciousness or wisdom. We, even at our best, continue to fall short of the glory of God and it behooves us, in all times and in all places never to adopt an attitude of infallibility because it doesn't take much time or effort for our manifest fallibility to be laid bare.

Jae said:
When considering who the ignorant children are John, perhaps some thought should be given as to who the ones are who cannot see that since the genders are different, a difference in roles is called for between said genders.

Where the offices call for something uniquely male or uniquely female that would certainly form useful assitance in discernment. Where such criteria fails to exist it is an error to add it to the discernment process. It results in a mindless disregard and prejudice that would forbid us to consider who God may or may not call. To be clear that is less about us disqualifying a brother or a sister for selfish reasons and is more about a greater arrogance in that it is our attempt to limit God to calling only those we wish God to call.

The history of scripture, time and time again, demonstrates that our human prejudices do not serve the Kingdom of God and need to be consigned to the dung heap.

Particularly in Protestant Churches which decided the Priesthood of all believers was an actual doctrine worth dying to defend.

By limiting who will be considered for any office based on Gender we are saying that we forbid God to call whomever God wills. You cannot claim to defend the sovereignty of God in one breath and place limits on it in the next.
 
C&MA---- Christian and Missionary Alliance.---

unsafe says and posted part of article

This is interesting ------read all here ----https://www.cmacan.org/uploads/content/the-roles-of-men-and-women-in-ministry.pdf

The Roles of Men and Women in Ministry"

A woman I met, fully qualified for the role, applied for a position in this denomination. She made it as far as an interview (she suspected that they assumed she was a guy). She didn't however get the job. She wrote and asked if they would tell her why, so she could improve her skills in job seeking. Someone replied by phone (no records that way of course) saying that the men in the congregation wouldn't accept a woman in authority over them as it was unBiblical.
 
Chaos, all is chaos ... and this is what we pass through as purgatory to reach peace?

Pistis Sophia appears still beyond us ...
 
KayTheCurler ----this statement ------

A woman I met, fully qualified for the role, applied for a position in this denomination. She made it as far as an interview (she suspected that they assumed she was a guy). She didn't however get the job. She wrote and asked if they would tell her why, so she could improve her skills in job seeking. Someone replied by phone (no records that way of course) saying that the men in the congregation wouldn't accept a woman in authority over them as it was unbiblical.

unsafe says and posted link
Well I guess the males weren't that great at really paying attention to Scripture ----just maybe they didn't want to know what the scripture really said about just how great a woman filled with the Holy Spirit can teach and preach the Gospel -----


Better read about Priscilla and her Husband ----Priscilla was a Woman ---teaching and preaching to a male ----Apollos -----and according to this she was very good at teaching and preaching the Gospel -------from article below -----Apollos became so mighty in the Gospel that he was called an apostle. In fact, he became so effective as a true gospel preacher that some of the Corinthians put him before Peter and Paul


Priscilla - All the Women of the Bible - Bible Gateway

PRISCILLA

The Woman Who Was Foremost in Service
Scripture ReferencesActs 18:2, 18, 26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19

They Were One in Their Profound Knowledge of Scripture

As they listened, Priscilla and her husband detected the negative defects of the preaching of Apollos. He taught no positive error, denied no essential of the faith. What he preached was true as far as it went. Apollos knew the truth, but not all the truth, and so in the quiet way, with all humility, Priscilla and Aquila set about correcting the apparent deficiency of Apollos. Inviting him to their home they passed no word of criticism on what they had heard him preach but with consummate tact instructed him Biblically in the truth of the crucified, risen and glorified Saviour. “They expounded unto him the way of God more carefully” (asv)

What was the result of that Bible course which Apollos received from those two godly, Spirit-enlightened believers? Why, Apollos became so mighty in the Gospel that he was called an apostle. In fact, he became so effective as a true gospel preacher that some of the Corinthians put him before Peter and Paul. But all that Apollos became he owed, under God, to the quiet instruction of Priscilla and Aquila. In Apollos, Christ gained a preacher whose spiritual influence was second only to Paul himself. Says Alexander Whyte in his chapter dealing with Aquila, Priscilla and Apollos—

All who have the Holy Spirit are called to Minister to others ------


Ephesus+Background+of+the+church%3A.jpg
 

That is conjecture only at this point. There is no evidence, none at all, that suggests the Gospels were originally written in Aramaic.

It would be of limited use even in the Palestinian end of the Roman Empire at the time. Greek, being the language of the Roman Empire (owing to Alexander's earlier influence) would be the more logical language to employ in attempting to take the Gospel outside of the bounds of Judea/Palestine.

Interestingly, the Aramaic New Testament was published for the first time in 1997 and is translated not from original documents but from the Greek text. At least that is the way the vast majority of scholars of the Assyrian language role.
Question.....Do you think that the Lords Prayer was based on the Jewish Kaddish? The dead sea scrolls were written in 3 languages Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek. Is it possible the Kaddish was in Aramaic within these scrolls?
 
Waterfall said:
Question.....Do you think that the Lords Prayer was based on the Jewish Kaddish?

The Mourner's Kaddish or some other one? Not enough similarity to make a strong case that one influenced the other. Certainly the Mourner's Kaddish misses all elements of the Lord's prayer apart from magnifying the name of God so unless one tried to argue that the Lord's prayer was dramatically altered I don't think there is much correlation between the two.

Waterfall said:
The dead sea scrolls were written in 3 languages Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek. Is it possible the Kaddish was in Aramaic within these scrolls?


The Kaddish itself appears to be comprised of references to several Hebrew texts. None of which are cited as possible sources for the Lord's prayer. So, it is possible that the Kaddish was part of those writings. That alone would not be enough to suggest the Lord's prayer is inspired by it.
 
Hi,
Eve brought on the woman thinking they are inferior to men by her disobedience in the garden ------not God ------we woman brought it on ourselves ------we just don't like to take the blame

This may be so. It may also be that men have from the outset found it convenient to have women as blame bearers. God holds Adam accountable for the boundary transgression. Adam does not accept the responsibility. He blames Eve. Then Eve turns to blame the serpent made by God. Then God curses the serpent.

Lots to think about here. Requires determined and disciplined critical inquiry to root out the meaning and implication of such things. I have learned that to put the blame outside of myself is to avoid the way of repentance. And without repentance there can be no healing of our lost and broken human being (salvation).

I would like to hear your point of view. I have a simple mind and would prefer plain speech over a lot of quoted text with bold and underlined emphasis.

George
 
The Mourner's Kaddish or some other one? Not enough similarity to make a strong case that one influenced the other. Certainly the Mourner's Kaddish misses all elements of the Lord's prayer apart from magnifying the name of God so unless one tried to argue that the Lord's prayer was dramatically altered I don't think there is much correlation between the two.
.

I was reading articles that say otherwise:

LORD'S PRAYER, THE - JewishEncyclopedia.com
 
Does everyone need someone to blame? It appears to some illogical rational! Then Kadesh is in some traditions death or dead spot ... and the mourner isn't that something that finds something missing in the core of their being ... like heartland?

Possibly just a mental image close to a hated essence of creative thought! Does beauty cause humans wish to get right into it .. and thus we do ... usually with dispute, hostility and violence over whos' to gain profits from the experience ... thus vessels called dhow Rays ... flashed of a bodein ... and men go down according to William Black ... to the Sea to see ... the hated dhow Ager as it takes time to become wise to scattered desires ... thus gathering of thoughts ... OMG I'm included in the sinking sensation ... tis subtle essence ... partisan politic? In the emotional sea ... thoughts are underneath ... support system for sol in the myths!

Let us retreat to a silent spot ... a peaceful node? What's anode? Further mystery to those not in that field ... thus independence ...
 
Did 'J' Zus wander far afield with parables ... thus that dialectic "I" ... Aamon? And broad-based essences ... clearly transparent to an 'Os't ... them out there ...

Can be subjective or object depending on the perspective of the horizon event ... there could be a Moor ... poe ET IHC stretch? Still dark and shadow-like ... being our limited gnomes ... wee men of thought ... type setters ... aus citii? Some reciprocal vision is required to set that ... archetypical backwardness?
 
GeoFee ----your quote ------ would like to hear your point of view. I have a simple mind and would prefer plain speech over a lot of quoted text with bold and underlined emphasis.

unsafe says -----

No GeoFee you really don't want to hear my point of view -----you want me to answer to the beat of your tune not mine --------your quote here says it all GeoFee ------would prefer plain speech over a lot of quoted text with bold and underlined emphasis.

Here is my response -----with scripture ---commentary and bold and underlined sentences -------this is Barne's notes ---not mine------take from it what you will ------

Because you yourself make this statement -------Your Quote here GeoFee --------I have a simple mind and would prefer plain speech -----


unsafe says
-----this is the scripture that the commentary is on ----I provided the Easy to read version for you -------

1 Timothy 2:11-14 (ERV)
11 A woman should learn while listening quietly and being completely willing to obey. 12 I don’t allow a woman to teach a man or tell him what to do. She must listen quietly, 13 because Adam was made first. Eve was made later. 14 Also, Adam was not the one who was tricked. It was the woman who was tricked and became a sinner.
Footnotes:
  1. 1 Timothy 2:14 Adam was not … tricked The devil tricked Eve, and Eve caused Adam to sin. See Gen. 3:1-13.


unsafe posted
commentary from Barnes Notes -----

1 Timothy 2:14
1 Timothy 2:14 (KJV) - Barnes' Notes

Barnes' Notes


And Adam was not deceived - This is the second reason why the woman should occupy a subordinate rank in all things. It is, that in the most important situation in which she was ever placed she had shown that she was not qualified to take the lead. She had evinced a readiness to yield to temptation; a feebleness of resistance; a pliancy of character, which showed that she was not adapted to the situation of headship, and which made it proper that she should ever afterward occupy a subordinate situation. It is not meant here that Adam did not sin, nor even that he was not deceived by the tempter, but that the woman opposed a feebler resistance to the temptation than he would have done, and that the temptation as actually applied to her would have been ineffectual on him. To tempt and seduce him to fall, there were needed all the soft persuasions, the entreaties, and example of his wife.

Satan understood this, and approached man not with the specious argument of the serpent, but through the allurements of his wife. It is undoubtedly implied here that man in general has a power of resisting certain kinds of temptation superior to that possessed by woman, and hence that the headship properly belongs to him. This is, undoubtedly, the general truth, though there may be many exceptions, and many noble cases to the honor of the female sex, in which they evince a power of resistance to temptation superior to man. In many traits of character, and among them those which are most lovely, woman is superior to man; yet it is undoubtedly true that, as a general thing, temptation will make a stronger impression on her than on him. When it is said that "Adam was not deceived," it is not meant that when he partook actually of the fruit he was under no deception, but that he was not deceived by the serpent; he was not first deceived, or first in the transgression. The woman should remember that sin began with her, and she should therefore be willing to occupy an humble and subordinate situation.

But the woman being deceived - She was made to suppose that the fruit would not injure her, but would make her wise, and that God would not fulfil his threatening of death. Sin, from the beginning, has been a process of delusion. Every man or woman who violates the law of God is deceived as to the happiness which is expected from the violation, and as to the consequences which will follow it.

unsafe says --------Eve showed her weakness in being deceived by Satan and God put the proper curse on here ------which is this -----

images
---and this is still in affect today with unbelievers ------women have been fighting for equal right for a long time -----not just in the church but in all society -----and it will continue ----Eve brought this on by her disobedience -----

unsafe says and Believes
For anyone male or female now who has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are one in Christ Jesus ------in God's eyes there is no separation -----I personally believe that the Religion of Christianity with all it's human traditions have kept women from preaching and in roles of leadership ----not God's word -----it is the ignorance of proper understanding of the scripture that is the problem in my view ------- God is not a respecter of persons GeoFee --- in Spirit there is no gender ------it is all the so called Ministers and Priests ---and all who head lead roles in the church that remain under the control of the god of this world who say that women are not to be leaders in church in my opinion ------

unsafe says
I found this and this statement from this article is what I solely believe in my heart ---------read all at link below

Contrary to Popular Opinion, College or Seminary Education is not Beneficial for Pastors - Biblical Research Reports

God is quite clear in many passages of Scripture, and through the example of Jesus, that higher education is not beneficial for pastors. Ignoring all that God has written about the subject, most churches require at least a college degree if not a seminary degree for their pastor. Subconsciously, the church has bought into the belief that the educated few hold the key to understanding the deeper things of Scripture and that Christians need to look to the educated, who are mere men, for answers to the difficult questions and for spiritual understanding of the mysteries of Scripture.

Greek word for Priest ----Strong's Concordance
hiereus: a priest ----- metaphorically, of Christians, because, purified by the blood of Christ and brought into close contact with God, they devote their life to him alone (and to Christ)


unsafe says
------

Here is the thing GeoFee ------Seminary school is not the Holy Spirit who is the only one who teaches all things pertaining to God's word ------being ordained by some school will not help you preach the truth -------Paul and the disciples attended no schools of seminary they received the Holy Spirit ----Jesus Himself did NOT start preaching until after He was Baptized and had the Holy Spirit -----So God Himself waited -----and He told His disciples to wait for the Comforter --The Holy Spirit before going to preach ------this is not Happening today ---being Ordained to me is not enough to preach and teach the Word Of God -----

Women who have the Holy Spirit are far more capable of Preaching and teaching God's word than any man who is without God in them -------This is just my view ----many will likely disagree but that is OK by me -----


You have a Great Day GeoFee -----:)---


 
Hi unsafe,

First. I was a witness to the gospel long before I went to seminary and was ordained. I fully agree that seminary education is wholly unnecessary to the communication of God's grace. Jesus was a carpenter. Peter was a fisherman. Martha and Mary were common folk.

Second. I received the Holy Spirit at the age of thirty following my adult baptism by immersion. This began in me a process of sanctification. Day by day I put of the old (Adam) and put on the new (Adam). I died to who it was that the world had shaped me to be. I rose to becoming who it is that I will be when God, who began this work in me, brings it to completion.

Now I am either a liar or you need to rethink how you understand my presence in this place. Easier to paint me a liar than to accept that my presence here is ordained of God and serves the intention of God.

Do you imagine Jesus carried a bible where he walked? Did he quote chapter and verse? The word of God was within him as the vital source of his words and deeds. He spoke in parables of great simplicity to inspire hope among the people of the land oppressed by political powers blessed by religious powers. His trust was in the living God and not in the dead letters inscribed on various scrolls. He lived what the prophets declared. And he suffered for it by those religious folk who trusted in their idols. Idols being much easier to manage and control than the living spirit of the living God.

You do not have to learn how to speak so we can follow you. You should learn how to listen so that you can rightly discern what others are communicating concerning their progress along the way of God opened by Jesus. A way that does not depend on scriptural justification but on faith alone. This as a gracious gift and not as merit.

George
 
GeoFee ----your statement ------Now I am either a liar or you need to rethink how you understand my presence in this place. Easier to paint me a liar than to accept that my presence here is ordained of God and serves the intention of God.

Your quote here ------ Easier to paint me a liar--------- show me where I called or painted you as a liar in my response ------I was replying to your request to get my view on Adam and Eve -----just did it my way not your way as you requested -----

Your quote here -----------Now I am either a liar or you need to rethink how you understand my presence in this place

Have no idea what you are talking about here GeoFee ----You ask for my response ---I gave you my response -----I said nothing about you personally -----You presence here is the same as everyone else's to post and comment as far as I know -----you don't agree with what I believe and I don't agree with what you believe ------and we will never agree GeoFee --we are on separate pages when it comes to scripture ----

As far as to who I personally listen to ---it is the Holy Spirit and through Him my discernment comes ----all Glory is God's
 
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