Was John MacArthur Wrong? : Women in the Pulpit

“Go home.” That was John MacArthur’s response when given the words “Beth Moore” in a word association game.

“Go home.” That was John MacArthur’s response when given the words “Beth Moore” in a word association game about nine months ago. Okay, I may be a little late to the John MacArthur train… but in my defense, I didn’t have a blog back then! His response, “Go home,” earned a lot of flack. Many claimed they didn’t like MacArthur’s tone of response- that he wasn’t speaking in love or exhibiting grace- and a number of people completely disagreed with what he said. But what about Beth Moore would bring him to make such a statement?

Well, Beth believes that God called her to teach and to take up a position of authority that allows her to be over the men as well. She believes in extra-Biblical revelations, meaning, "Information or content outside the Bible. Thus, any form of knowledge or experience which gives us information concerning God, His Work or His Will, which is not directly quoted in scripture." which is quite frankly the only explanation for how she came to the conclusion that God called her to this position.

But in 1 Timothy 2:12 Paul writes, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”

He even says why in the next verses: 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” Lori Alexander, author of the blog “The Transformed Wife” explains that “[women] are not to teach nor have authority over men because Adam was created first, proving that men are the ones that God has ordained to be in authority, and Eve was deceived, proving that women are more easily deceived (1 Timothy 2:12-14).”

It is not that women have no place in ministry, but rather a place in which they may teach and preach the Word of God to men. Women can be missionaries, and teachers to other women on Biblical womanhood. They can pray in Church, prophesy, and help their husbands plant Churches. The Great Commission, going into all the world and making disciples, is not the same as women having authority over men in a Church setting.

We know God does not contradict himself. You will never find Him telling you something that goes against his word. Now, not everything Beth says and does is wrong of course; however, her claim to be called to the pastorate “by God” is misleading and defines her as a false teacher- a valid reason to tell Beth, “Go home.” John MacArthur’s states “there’s no case that can be made biblically for a woman preacher. Period, paragraph, end of discussion.” In essence, Beth Moore needs to stop going around preaching and teaching as it’s not her place

“Jesus Didn’t Tell Women to Go Home”

I read a response to the MacArthur's statements by Sarah Bessey, author of the book “Jesus Feminist” (case and point). Bessey writes, “You know who never told women to go home? JESUS.” Those who view scripture with a feminist and egalitarian world view love to say “Well Jesus didn’t say that.” Some like to pretend that Jesus came and had no regard for the differences in gender, but this is backed by absolutely nothing. First of all, there is a lot that Jesus didn’t say. But all throughout scriptures, we see God telling women to go home. Lori Alexander explains that “[God] wants [women] to be keepers AT home (Titus 2:5). He wants them to look well to the ways of their household (Proverbs 31:27). He commands they guide the home and He wants younger women to bear children (1 Timothy 5:14). He wants older women to teach young women biblical womanhood (Titus 2:3-5). He NEVER commands women to preach, no, not even to other women.”

“Aren’t There More Important Things to Worry About?”

Aren’t people dying? Aren’t people hurting and lost and in need of a Savior? Why does it matter how we evangelize and spread the Gospel or who does so? Aren’t people being saved through the teachings and preaching of women like Beth Moore? Well, God can use anyone, even those without faith, even false teachers to bring people to Him; but He also makes it clear that we need to be very wary of false teachers, careful to not be deceived and led astray.

Women have all sorts of gifts. We may even be eloquent, charismatic speakers, like Beth Moore. We are certainly known for our communication. Yet, God’s word has made our place clear. The problem is that woman’s natural tendency in her fallen state is to control, manipulate, and overpower men. This is the curse God placed upon all women at the fall of man:

“Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16.

God’s perfect design is that Christ is head over man, man over woman, and woman over children. When Eve sinned, she stepped out of line from this order and led Adam astray as well. Still today, women are more easily deceived than men. The curse- woman’s desire to overpower- spans not just to their husbands, but men in society and in the church. I talk all about the importance of biblical gender roles in my article: What Do Gender Roles Have to Do with Christanity? God’s design for women is good and intentional. We may not be permitted to use our gifts from the pulpit or stage, but we can find other outlets and ways in which to use our gifts that align with the Word of God.

Beth Moore and others alike may direct a lot of their teachings to women, such as her Bible studies, but she doesn’t teach Biblical womanhood. If anything, she should teach younger women to “love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands,” as directed of women in Titus 2.

So was John MacArthur wrong? No, he wasn’t. Nor do I see anything wrong with his response, as if it lacked grace or love. He was bluntly calling out a woman who is in the wrong by claiming to be in a God-ordained position He would not actually ordain. We just aren’t used to strong men calling out women in our overly-sensitive culture.

Here is John MacArthur himself preaching the Biblical perspective of women preachers. I highly recommend listening!

With love,

Solie Osorio

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