Challenge Everything - Pt. 2

Some questions have arisen as to biblical support for women in leadership positions within the church. Please understand that I do not support the ordination of women in the realm of pastoral ministry. That is, I do not advocate women pastors, rectors, priests or the sort. Some may not like this statement, however I have not found any Scripture that reinforces the act of ordaining women. Let it be known that this posting is by no means exhaustive.
The very denial of women in leadership positions within the ministry, however, is not scriptural. This is not an opinion, this is a fact.

Old Testament

Exodus 4
Zipporah - The circumcision of Moses' son (either Gershom or Eliezer) seems strange. Moses neglected God's command in his duty to circumcise while in Midian. Because of this act or failure to act, God was going to kill Moses perhaps by illness. Zipporah intervened by circumcising her son (it is unknown which) with a flint rock. It was by this blood substitution that she saved her husband's life. It seems that she was reluctant in her decision to perform this act and it is even speculated that her remark calling Moses "a bridegroom of blood" was derogatory showing that she did not favor the rite although her performance of this the act of redemption saved her husband's life and restored him before the Lord.

Judges 4
Little is known of Deborah (whose name means "honeybee"). Deborah served many roles which included: leader, prophetess, & judge. She was the wife of Lappidoth (meaning "torch"). Some may mistakenly link her with Barak (meaning "lightening") as her husband. Barak was charged with leading 10,000 men to battle with Sisera (Canaanites) but refused unless Deborah accompanied him. Because of this very act, God granted the victory to Deborah rather than Barak. Now why God chose a woman to lead politically and militarily is unknown. However what is known is that God's plan will not be frustrated. If a man refuses his scriptural duty to act and lead, God will choose another - women included.

New Testament

Acts 9
Tabitha (Dorcas ~ "gazelle") was considered a disciple (mathētria [mä-thā'-trē-ä]) - female disciple/pupil
- from the root word mathētēs (mä-thā-tā's ) - a learner

Acts 16
Wayne Blank
Lydia was originally from Thyatira (where one of The Seven Churches of Asia were later located), but was a resident in Philippi, in Greece, when the apostle Paul travelled there. Although she is mentioned only briefly in the Scriptures, she holds a prominent place in Bible History - Lydia is the first recorded Christian in Europe to be converted by Paul, and her home became the place where the subsequent first church (the literal Biblical meaning of church is called out ones, the people) in Europe gathered to worship.

These are just a few of the examples of how women can teach men within ministry. I cannot think of a better example than Beth Moore. Some denominations do not accept the teachings of women for they feel that they (women) are exhibiting authority over men. This can even go as far as women singing solos. I do not see how. God created both man and woman. He gave us all the ability to think and educate ourselves. How is it not edification of the Body of Christ (church) when a woman has a biblical perspective on topics not otherwise thought of by men? When I wrote a brief thesis on women's roles within the ministry (please see the link to various theological papers - Women's Roles in the Ministry) using the letters of Paul to Timothy as a backdrop, I considered extra-biblical texts as well as the Bible. Now the Bible is the end-all, be-all when coming to a conclusion. Though, to get a hermeneutically (hermeneutics is the art and science of biblical interpretation) sound thesis, one must consider the context of why something was written, to whom it was written to, when it was written, where it was written, and what was written (who, what, where, when, & why).
I hope this gives a better understanding as to why I have come to my conclusion.

-blessings