Perry Noble, pastor of
Newspring church in Anderson, has had women to preach for him during
their services more than once over the years. Recently another woman preached at
their services. Perry wrote a blog post justifying the use of women
preaching to their congregation. It was a pitiful defense of an
indefensible practice. You can read it here.
Noble said:
1. "I do not have a
problem with women preaching the Gospel because Jesus did not have a
problem with them doing so."
Answer: People use the
same argument in defending homosexuality, saying that Jesus never
mentioned it, so it must be OK. Jesus' authority was given to his
apostles, who were all men. Though women had much to do with helping
Jesus in his ministry, none were called to preach. So, if you want to
use an argument of silence, this would argue against women preachers.
But the main point is that Jesus gave his authority to these men, not
only to preach, but to write Scripture. And clearly the apostles
taught in Scripture that, “A woman
should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a
woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent”
(1 Timothy 2:11–12).
2. "Though I believe
every word of it (the Bible) is true and can be fully trusted, there are passages
that had more relevancy at the time they were written than they do
today."
Answer: Noble is using the
argument that the clear teaching of Scripture against women teachers
and preachers in church is culturally irrelevant today. However, in the
context of the 1 Timothy 2 passage Paul is dealing with the order of creation. The context has
nothing to do with cultural matters at all.
3. "While I
acknowledge Paul addressed the issue on a limited basis, I really do
believe to base our view of women on these few passages means we have
to ignore an enormous portion of Scripture that validates the
preaching, teaching and leadership of women."
Answer: Noble is pitting
Scripture against Scripture! Huge red flag here. Scripture does not
contradict itself. And simply because the Bible only addresses the
matter a few times makes no difference at all. If the Bible says it
once that is enough to be authoritative for the church. But not for
Noble, who picks and chooses passages he likes, while ignoring
passages he doesn't agree with, in order to support his unbiblical
position.
4. "I've often heard
people call these ladies "exceptions" - but I see them as
examples as I honestly do not believe women are forbidden to preach
the Gospel."
Answer: Of course women
are not forbidden to preach the gospel. They may
preach it to other women, to their children, and even to other men in
their personal witnessing. However, Paul said a woman must not teach
or have authority over a man in the church. To invite a woman into
the pulpit to address the church is to place that woman in a position
of authority that the Bible forbids. Newspring went against Scripture and brought a woman in to preach at their services.
5. "Let me conclude
this article by once again saying I will not debate this, nor will I
allow a theological cesspool to form on my FB page."
Answer: Noble has made up
his mind and will not discuss it or allow dissent. Those who question
him are usually asked to leave his church. But he is wrong here. This
is a serious error that liberal churches have committed for many
years. But because Newspring is successful, then no one must
challenge what is said or done there. But even the apostle Paul
commended the Bereans for examining the Scriptures in order to
determine whether his own teaching lined up with them. Noble is wrong
and no doubt others will call him out on his error. I pray that true
believers at Newspring will cease to tolerate his false teaching on
this. Here's a helpful article to explain what Scripture teaches and correct Noble's views.
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