As for those advocates of dogmatic religion, no matter how beloved, knowledgeable or gracious they may be, I say their excuses are error and a waste of time. Their misinterpretation of the Scriptures is a hindrance to the purpose of the church. For instance, some of the erring teachers who do not concede to male leadership and the silence of women in the assembly misconstrue "there is neither male nor female" (Gal. 3:28) to support their thesis. Furthermore, they speak incorrectly to the effect that "they are commanded to be under obedience, as also says the law" (I Cor. 14:34) does not have to do with this time or culture.

     For reference: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). And "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law" (I Cor. 14:34).

     The verse Gal. 3:28 declares the unity and equality which is in the liberty of faith in Jesus regardless of sexuality. Unity and equality result in deliverance from the bondage of the law, which was of a former covenant; however, the verse does not say that the God-given attributes which distinguish the sexes are abolished.

     Both sexes are the workmanship of a divine Creator: "So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Gn. 1:27 [NEB]). A creative attribute is intrinsic in the image of the creature, which reflects the likeness of God.

     God said in the beginning, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (Gn. 2:18 [NIV]). The New Testament states, "Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man" (I Cor. 11:9). A functional attribute of companionship as a helpmate for the man is inherent in the creation of the woman. A pastoral book, at I Tim. 2:13, reflects some of the details of God's creative order mentioned in the Old Testament.

     God announced judgement and punishment upon the serpent, the woman, the ground, and the man (Gn. 3:14-19). The woman lost the degree of self-rule which she once possessed (although she formerly had a creative attribute to be a help meet and companion according to God's purpose); however, subsequent to the sin and fall of Eve and Adam, the woman also obtained a judicial attribute (I Tim. 2:14). God announced to her, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" (Gn. 3:16).

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