Should women preach in church? - Albert Mohler | Ask Anything Live

Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary answers questions covering a wide a range of topics from theology, parenting, ethics, ministry, and more.

[doctrinalwatchdog]

I like the Apostle Paul, he gave a straightforward answer instead of trying to dance around the subject.

[sharleenparrino]

Lord give our men the ability to take authority to stand firm to God's instruction to lead & women understand you position under God and the definition of submission while being equal heirs to the throne if grace!

[jarrodmaston]

Thank you Albert! Remember you people who don't like lengthy answers, that he took time to exposit as well as explain history in his answer. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. Growing in knowledge and wisdom is a command as well.

[joelbutterfield]

The issue is not women preaching and or pastoring it's about Biblical authority.

[niakum]

This is not about women but about men giving up their place of God's given responsibilities. Its hard to find any church following biblical structure these days.

[Ps]

simple, clear and the most honest and diligent discussion of scripture that I have heard for a long time. Rare qualities indeed that can be summed up in one word: honesty.

[uiliamoliveira]

This guy doesn't beat around the bush! He gives it straight, I kinda like that, the truth was intended to be spoke.

[peacelove]

Many people (including myself at one time) seem not to take Paul seriously. But One day, God put the fear in my heart to believe Pauls teachings and not to question him. The Structure of the Church must be so. No woman preachers as God instructed.

[hutchieboy]

Yes or no are "good answers, but the amount of time he takes to "spell it out" is more than helpful.

[HarrisonB]

Who agrees woman can’t be a elder in the church?

[rebeccahahn]

Amen. I am a 60 yr. old woman and more importantly a believer in the Gospel and our Bridegroom Jesus Christ and God's heart has got to be breaking because of all the division in his body. That being said I formally believe that there is an order that our creator set up and there is His All Knowing reason that He set things up this way. Take it up with Him! God's heart is breaking!!!

[debbiebird]

As a missionary I am asked to speak often... though I will clarify every time that I am not a preacher. Do I sometimes explain the Greek or Hebrew as I share how God is showing up in the mission field- yep! Though it’s not me being an elder or pastor.

From what I see in the vast denominations where I speak, where there is a woman pastor there are so few men in the congregation.

[SunilFrancisGeorge]

It is important to celebrate the many gifts God has given to women and the countless ways they minister in the church. We need to remind ourselves often that a different role says nothing about one’s significance or value. Still, the issue matters, for as churches we must order our practices in accord with the word of God and not our own wisdom. When we deviate from the biblical pattern, there are always consequences. God has given us his instructions for our flourishing and our happiness, and when we follow his instructions we show that we trust him.

[paulmcwhorter]

It should not take 13 minutes to answer this question.

[elinorrector]

Excellent response; did not melt or back down under pressure.

[johnguill]

Lazy men will step aside for prideful women. Both commit sin.

[marcelwillieniles]

Very good Albert Mohler...may GOD bless you brother in your task...

[irenecooper]

Thank you Al for speaking and defending the Truth, God's Word!

[childinchrist]

"But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence". 1 Timothy 2:12. Simple pimple. the answer is NO. Eve was form second. A elder woman can counsel a young woman. A woman can witness to someone one on one but not to preach. They can teach Sunday school because they are still children but never can she teach men. Eve tried to teach Adam by telling him to eat something forbidden and we all fell into sin because of it.

[benjaminhaley]

I know there is little to no use in posting a comment here...but for those who are annoyed that his answer is 13 minutes: remember that the scriptures speak a lot about speaking the truth in love. This is an incredibly sensitive issue to many, and a current “hot button” issue. Mohler responds biblically, but also thoroughly, winsomely, and carefully. To all those commenters who want a “quick” answer because that’s what the Bible says...imagine if an unbeliever asked you “am I going to hell?”. Biblically, the answer is short and simple. “Yes, you’re going to hell.” But would it be a compromise of biblical conviction to spend time with that unbeliever, explaining the scriptures and doctrines that inform your position? Of course not. It would be winsome. Helpful. Measured. And it might earn a hearing that will bring them to repentance.
Christians...if our love of the truth comes at the expense of taking time to be thoughtful and considerate of people with differing opinions, then we actually are not biblical at all....we’ve sacrificed relational capital with those we might win, and have not loved well.
Mohler sets the example here of a biblically informed, firm conviction that women should not preach. But he explains it in a way that would engage a skeptic and gain hearers.
If we are more concerned with just stating bald truths because “that’s what the Bible says, ” then we don’t actually have any real concern that people understand and accept our position on such matters. Mohler does, which is why he takes time to offer a robust answer.