Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Recently, a prominent Southern Baptist leader called on his denomination to end the confusion caused when Baptist churches allow women to be called pastors. "The vast majority of Southern Baptists … are absolutely clear and have been all along that the office of pastors is restricted to men as qualified by Scripture," he said.

By contrast, the Assemblies of God position paper, "Women in Ministerial Leadership," says, "Scripture clearly advocates for women as ministers and leaders." Consequently, the Assemblies of God credentials those whom God has called and empowered, whether they are women or men.

Both groups appeal to Scripture and argue about two passages in particular: 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 and 1 Timothy 2:8–15. In this episode, I talk to Waldemar Kowalski about what these passages actually mean.

Waldemar Kowalski, Ph.D., is a global worker with the Assemblies of God, the teaching pastor at IES Bandung (AG) in Indonesia, and author of What Paul Really Taught About Women in Ministry: Matching Paul's Practice and Instruction, published by Logion Press.

My conversation with Kowalski is coming up after a brief word from our sponsor.

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Show Notes

• 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad
• 02:17 — What does the biblical evidence say women did in Paul's churches? Why is what Paul did as important as what we believe Paul said?
• 06:07 — What are the basic hermeneutical rules that ought to guide us as we interpret Scripture? And what does 1 Corinthian 14:34–35 actually prohibit?
• 14:22 — Some New Testament scholars argue that 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 is not authentic. You disagree. Why do you think the verses are original?
• 16:42 — The biggest impediment to women serving as pastors or any other leadership role in the Church is the traditional interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:8–15. What is the traditional interpretation of those verses, Why do you think it fails? And what is the best interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:8–15?
• 27:02 — Another set of passages that seems to imply a prohibition of women leading churches is 1 Timothy 3:1–12 and Titus 1:5–9, which talk about elders and deacons being the "husband of one wife," which seems to imply that they're male. What's the best understanding of those passages?
• 30:45 — You and your wife serve together on the mission field. She is the senior pastor, and you're a Bible professor. Based on your experience, what do churches lose when they block half the church from living out the callings God has called and empowered them to perform?
• 31:54 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
• 35:14 — Conclusion