Women Can't Teach Men

Wow, a title like that is sure to cause some reaction. But that's exactly what a church in Watertown, NY says:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/21/menonly.sundayschool.ap/index.html

After 54 years of teaching in her church, Mary Lambert has been dismissed from her role. The pastor, Reverend Timothy LaBouf, says that his church is adopting a more literal interpretation of the bible. He said that the second letter of Paul to Timothy is quite clear on this point. 2Timothy 2:12 says "I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent."

Where to go with this? Of course the obvious first question is: Why the change after 54 years? I'm not sure if Rev. LaBouf is new to this church, or if the elders had some sort of revelation telling them to "turn from their evil ways." But after 54 years, it seems to me like either someone suddenly awoke from a slumber on par with that enjoyed by Rip van Winkle, or had a bad reaction to uncooked chicken.

But the bigger question relates to biblical interpretation. Some view the bible as being written to a specific people who were dealing with specific issues. In this letter to Timothy, some believe that Paul was concerned specifically about women in Ephesus, not women in general. Evidently these women were dominant in nature, and Paul believed they should be more subservient. I'm not sure.

Others believe that the bible as written is applicable to our lives today. (But ignore all that Old Testament stuff about cleanliness, sacrifices, etc.) I know some men in my bible study share this sentiment. Last year I spoke of a dance we held for high school students in a church meeting room - you'd have thought I burned a crucifix. I was ridiculed for promoting such scandalous behavior.

Many denominations now have female clergy. Are those denominations, based on this fact alone, acting in a non-biblical manner? Who decides what from the bible is applicable today, and what is simply "tradition?" And in the case of Mary Lambert, a faithful servant for over a half-century, do we simply cast her aside?

Tough questions, and no real answers. But I certainly think her treatment was not appropriate.