從聖經看婦女的地位及事奉／張慕皚

張慕皚

撮要

本文從聖經中神的創造入手，探討婦女在家庭和在教會的地位。據神創造的原意，男女在本質上是平等的，但在行政及功能上則有從屬的關係。這種創造的秩序反映三位一體的神在本質上同尊同榮，但在工作上則有從屬關係。在新約中，保羅亦從神創造的秩序指出在家庭中妻子必須順服丈夫，而在教會中，女性則須在男性領導下事奉，這種創造秩序不受文化和環境的影響而改變。聖經中的順服觀沒有低貶和痛苦的含義；其領導觀也沒有轄制的味道。新約中按立牧職，並沒有授權或升職之意，按手之禮主要是祝福的行動。新約中有女使徒，女先知和女教師，屬地位崇高的職位，因此按立女牧師在男性主導的觀念下事奉並沒有違反聖經的教導。在宗派制度下，只要宗派的最高領導人是男性，女性便可擔任當主任牧師之職；在獨立地方教會的體制下，主任牧師一職必須由男性擔任，這樣的安排，一方面維持神的創造秩序，同時也容許女性在男性主導的原則下按立牧職。作者強調，這樣的安排，並沒有將女性低貶為「二等公民」因主耶穌也在同樣的從屬關係下完成救贖的工作。在正統信仰中，祂從沒有因此而被視為「二等的神」。

ABSTRACT

This article deals with women’s position in the family and in the church from the biblical point of view. The author begins with the biblical concept of the creation ordinance. It is argued that men and women are created equal ontologically, but subordination of women in the family and in the church is part of the creation ordinance, which holds true in all cultural conditions. This creation order reflects the nature of the triune God. The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are equal in essence, but there is the economic subordination of the Son as the triune God works out the plan of redemption. It is also argued that the ideal biblical concept of submission does not entail depreciation or hardship. At the same time the biblical concept of headship or leadership emphasizes humble service rather than “lording it over people”. Paul’s teaching concerning women in ministry also begins with the concept of creation order. Thus, the wife is to submit to the husband and women are to serve in the church under the general headship of men. Women are not allowed to teach as the head of the church in an official manner (1 Timothy 2), but are allowed to preach and teach under the headship of men. In the New Testament, women are allowed to hold high positions in the church as apostles, teachers and prophets. Therefore, there is no reason why women are not allowed to be ordained to serve as pastors under the headship of men. The author suggests that as long as the head of the denomination is a man, women should be allowed to hold the position of senior pastor. In the situation of an independent local church, the senior pastor should be a man and woman is free to hold any other leadership position. This kind of arrangement does not make women “second-class citizens” in the church because Christ in His economic subordination is never considered “ second-class God”.

原載於《教牧期刊》第8期及《建道學刊》第13期合刊（1999年12月），頁1-24。