There can be no doubt about the fact that the role of women in almost every area of society is changing. Like the proverbial snow ball, the movement bringing this change began slowly in the post-World War II era and has continued to grow and gain momentum. However, the changing roles of women is not what concerns so many, it is but a symptom of the real issue: an improper attitude toward God's word. With an increasing sensitivity to what is politically and socially correct, a corresponding hardening of the heart toward anything that God has said, and a biblical hermeneutic that is becoming more and more culturally responsive, not only will the roles of women encroach further into forbidden territory, there will be no end to what changes might be made in other areas as well. Unfortunately, there has arisen now, as in the long ago, "another generation" that does not look with the proper regard upon God (Judg. 2:10) and consequently is "doing their own thing" (Judg. 17:6).

It is clear that, in the 1st century, God placed certain restrictions upon women in many assembly and local church activities. But many brethren today are not content with 1st century proscriptions and want expanding roles for women in local churches in areas clearly designated as "Men Only". The questions are whether or not "we" or God have posted the "No Women Allowed" sign and should these respective functions be respected or looked upon as curious instructions from another era that can be cast aside? The answer to these questions will depend upon whether one's "hermenutic" is objectively or subjectively based. From those restrictions set by God there should be no deviation and for them there should be no apology. And while it is true that some restrictions "we" have placed on women have more to do with tradition than Truth, let's be careful that we do not rush impulsively into change and confuse the two.

Women in pulpits and as elders in local churches are as foreign to God's design for the local congregation as priests from the tribe of Judah would have been during Moses' day and for the same reason: God specified from which tribe he wanted the priests to come (Heb. 7:11-14) and he has also been specific regarding the gender from which he wants elders and preachers. Cultural changes and all of the hermenutical manipulation we might engage in won't change that a bit. If the principles in 1Cor. 14 do not apply today and restrict women from preaching and teaching in our assemblies, then are those in chapter 7 regarding marriage, divorce and remarriage likewise to be ignored? And if we can somehow circumvent 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Tit. 1:5-9 and allow women to serve as elders, why can't we ignore Paul's charge in 2 Tim. 4:2 and preach whatever message we feel like? The sad truth is that in many cases brethren have been consistent and done exactly as we've just indicated.

Shortly before his death, Dwight Eisenhower was asked to name the greatest man he had ever known. His immediate reply was, "Winston Churchill. But the greatest person I ever knew was my mother." Sadly, however, the role and influence of the woman in the home has been so altered over the past few decades that it is more and more likely that fewer and fewer children will be able to "rise up and call her blessed" as did Mr. Eisenhower.

Agree with it or not, God's admonition to young women to "marry, bear children, rule the house" (1 Tim. 5:14) means that He intends for the woman's area of emphasis to be in the home. But for a number of years the daughters of Eve have been listening to the same voice that their mother heard in the garden of Eden and the consequences now in our homes are as disastrous as they were then. It is undeniable and no coincidence whatever that we have seen declines in all areas relating to our cultural and morals as the "traditional" (i.e., biblical) role has been altered. But It should not take statements from former presidents and cultural statistics to motivate mothers who are Christians to get their priorities straight and, quite literally, set their houses in order. An increased familiarity with such passages as Prov. 31:10-31 would be a good place to start.

Several years ago I went flying with a friend who wanted to practice instrument approaches. He deliberately flew in the clouds with no reference point with the ground below or the sky above. He could not rely upon the way he felt and fly safely because vertigo might tell him he was flying inverted and cause him to change from "upside down" to "right side up"---when in fact he would have been doing the very opposite. Thus, all during the flight he was in constant contact with the control tower and watched the instruments carefully, both of which told him we were in the proper position. To have flown by feelings and ignored the objective guidance systems would have meant sure disaster. Our instruments and contact with the tower were our only hope for a safe flight and a "happy landing".

As we stand on the threshold of the 21st century our society and, sadly, brethren who ought to know better, are in much the same situation in regard to the roles of women. Biblical principles regarding the various roles of women which have guided us well in the past are now being ignored. Relying more and more on subjective feelings rather than objective truth, an attempt is being made to re-define women's roles by ignoring the Divine will. Change is sometimes warranted---even in regard to women's roles---but when change means departure from objective direction a certain doom is all that we can expect. Like a plane flying in thick cloud cover with the pilot ignoring control tower voices and his instruments, nothing but certain doom lies ahead. Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10), Aaron and Miriam (Num. 12), and Korah (Num. 16) are all examples of those who decided a change was in order and found out much to their chagrin that you don't change the Unchangeable. Those today who are the same "sons of disobedience" and want to change the roles and functions of women would do well to re-read and learn from these old but valuable stories.

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