Does the cultural context relate to the command for women as well?
I do not believe that the distinction of roles for women is a cultural issue in the same way as it is for the issue of slavery. Why? 1) The role distinction is based upon an appeal to creation, thereby putting it above cultural context (Eph 5:31-32, 1 Tim 2:12-13). 2) The teaching of role distinction is very clear (1 Cor 11:3, 1 Tim 2:12-23), and the Bible never indicates that these roles change. 3) There is a clear sense that role distinction does not equal inequality (Gal 3:28). Therefore it seems clear to me that the interpretive issues surrounding slaves do not apply to in same way to women. Although some would like to link these two issues, there are different.1 The Bible’s teaching regarding women seems to be clear, even if it is a bit uncomfortable at times. You see the last thing that I’d want to do is to somehow communicate that women are less in value, that they don’t play a very important role in ministry, and that we can’t learn and serve together. That really is not my hea
