Women's Voice in the Church: A Study of the Connection between Voice and Authority and Its Implications for Today

Abstract

A debate rages around the “roles” or “callings” of men and women and how it affects women having a voice and authority in the church today. There are two sides to this debate. The Egalitarians say there should be no distinction between the roles of men and women that are based only on gender. The gifts a person has received from the Holy Spirit should be the determining factor. On the other side are the Complementarians who hold to the understanding that God established the callings of men and women at creation where he placed man as the head and women as the helper. This thesis will explore those teachings of both the Egalitarians and Complementarians with special reference to a careful study of Genesis 1 and 2, 1 Corinthians 14:33-35, and 1 Timothy 2:11-14. On the basis of that study of Scripture, the thesis will show how the Complementarian view is in accord with Scripture. Then, while honoring that biblical understanding of God’s unique callings for men and women, the thesis will seek to demonstrate how women’s voice in the church can be more clearly heard. Through interviews, the voices of women in the WELS will be heard as this thesis explores ways for women’s voices in the church to be heard more clearly.”