A clarion call to all Christians to read the Bible within context on the issue of bishopric titles and ordinations
It is time for the Christian Church to deal with stereotypes against women in the church especially in the area of Bishopric ordination. Many scriptural verses in the Bible have been brutalised, twisted and misinterpreted just to keep women in the dark and from rising up to this office. I am not trying to be radical here but only trying to provoke you to find out the truth in the scriptures for yourself.
Scriptural verses such as 1st Corinthians 14 v 34-35 and 1st Peter 3v1 have been used and interpreted in ways bent to keep women permanently from rising to top leadership positions in the church.
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience…and if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church”. (1st Cor.14v34-35).
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands…” (1st peter 3v1).
These scriptural verses have been widely used by many churches in Sierra Leone as justifications to promote religious gender sentiments against women. Interpreting Scriptures just by the word letter of it may be erroneous! A true Christian should know that better.
If we are to follow the above scripture (1 Cor 14 v 34 & 35) by its letter, then it would mean all women leaders currently holding positions in churches are in error. How would you reconcile that?
Paul had so many issues with women in the church of Corinth during his time and day when he was writing his letters …and certainly this should not be interpreted to mean women should be disallowed in contemporary day Christian community to play leadership roles in the church. Imagine what it would have looked like if we followed 1st Cor 14 v 34 & 35 to the letter! Certainly, the church would have been the most boring place to be! Imagine what it would have looked like also if all the women were to come to church and remain silence! It would certainly have deprived the church from the maximum impact and immense benefit that comes from women’s participation and involvement…and of a truth that would not have been a godly thing at all.
So it is important to consider the scriptures in context and not just interpret them from face value. You could also see that Paul repeated this advice again in his address to Timothy in 1st Tim 2 v 11 & 12.
Therefore, when we come to read 1st Tim 3 v 1 to 7 (which deals with the issue of Bishop), Paul’s sentiments against women of his day must be in our mind’s eye as we read 1st Tim 3 v 1 to 7. Of a truth, those scriptures places more emphasis on the character, integrity and right standing of the individual desiring the office of a Bishop than the gender component itself. (Pls read prayerfully).
To emphasize the gender component therefore would mean limiting women into the Bishopric office on the grounds of mere semantics! I THINK THE LIFESTYLE of the individual is more paramount.
Trust me, I can give you names of hundreds of women who have been ordained as Bishops in churches all over the world….and the world did not come to an end because they were ordained as Bishops. As a matter of fact, some have even proven to be better and effective leaders than their male counterpart.
Let US ALL ENDEAVOUR to put away gender stereotypes that tends to marginalise women from active participation in the Church of God. Don’t forget that we are all equal before GOD …and GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS!
I THEREFORE SEE NO REASON WHY PST MAMMY DORA DUMBUYA SHOULD NOT BE ORDAINED AS BISHOP IN SIERRA LEONE given her integrity and astute leadership as well as her immense contribution to the body of Christ and the Muslim community in Sierra Leone.
Remain Blessed.
By Rashid Dumbuya ESQ.
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