Theological Reconstruction of Paul's Prohibitory Texts in Affirming the Legitimacy of Women's Pastoral Ordination

Authors

  • Demas Arendra Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Galilea Indonesia Author
  • Theo Pilus Candra Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Galilea Indonesia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21731784

Keywords:

Women's leadership, female ordination, Pauline exegesis, 1 Timothy 2, egalitarianism

Abstract

The issue of female ordination remains a sharp theological debate across various church denominations. Those who oppose it (complementarians) often base their arguments on a literal reading of Pauline texts that seem to silence women. This study aims to conduct a critical reinterpretation of these "prohibitory" texts, specifically 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15. Using a qualitative method through a socio-historical hermeneutic approach, this study dissects the cultural context of Ephesus and Corinth as well as the lexical meaning of the Greek word authentein. The findings indicate that Paul's prohibitions were situational (contextual) to address heresy and liturgical disorder, not a universal mandate (trans-cultural) barring women from leadership permanently. The theological principle of Galatians 3:28 regarding ontological equality in Christ must serve as the primary hermeneutical umbrella. Therefore, the ordination of female pastors is not a biblical deviation, but a logical consequence of the restoration of the Image of God and the recognition of the Holy Spirit's charismata given regardless of gender.

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References

Buku Teks & Tafsir Alkitab

Belleville, Linda L. Women Leaders and the Church: Three Crucial Questions. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2000.

Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.

Keener, Craig S. Paul, Women, and Wives: Marriage and Women's Ministry in the Letters of Paul. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1992. (Sangat detail membahas konteks budaya).

Witherington, Ben. Women in the Earliest Churches. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988.

Wright, N.T. Surprised by Scripture: Engaging Contemporary Issues. New York: HarperOne, 2014. (Membahas relevansi Galatia 3:28).

Buku Teologi & Etika

Grenz, Stanley J., and Denise Muir Kjesbo. Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1995.

Pierce, Ronald W., and Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, eds. Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2005. (Buku wajib untuk pandangan egaliter).

Published

2025-06-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Arendra, D., & Candra, T. P. (2025). Theological Reconstruction of Paul’s Prohibitory Texts in Affirming the Legitimacy of Women’s Pastoral Ordination. Journal of Digital Innovation and Social Research, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21731784

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