WHY SALLY CAN’T PREACH by Jacob Tanner a book I purchased because I do not believe women should hold positions of authority in the church and a Pastor that I listen to recommended it. The bottom line: I do not recommend this book despite my decision to not read the entire book.
1 Corinthians 15:11 (KJV)
11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
Why did I not like the book? Let’s begin with the title and go over two definitions: can’t and preach.
CAN’T- “can’t is a contraction of two terms can and not, can being a verb and not an adverb; it indicates an inability too
PREACH- The term “preach” is a verb and it means to proclaim.
The title of this book indicates that Sally is unable to proclaim. Yes I am being technical because his book is an attempt at being technical. Unless, Sally is a mute she is able to proclaim the word thus the title of the book becomes an indication of the tone in which this author will take.
This book is ONLY 89 pages yet I struggled to read much of it. I read his statements and biblical justifications and then had to retreat and pray.
At the end of chapter one on page 30, the author states: “Woman has a rank.” Are we talking about a home, a church or the military? He added: “Man has a rank” and he determines that the ranks were given by God.
I skimmed through a few more pages and gave myself permission to stop reading this foolishness.
I believe that women should not have positions of leadership in the church and believe this is God’s way of establishing order in the church. He, God the Father, also set Jesus as the Head of the Church not man, yet he washed the feet of His disciples. The church is not about rank but purpose; the home is not about rank but maintaining order.
If a woman stands in the pulpit and proclaims God’s word is up to the church, you don’t need a title to speak the truth. If a man wants to listen to a woman, that is his business. Yes, I believe Scripture is clear about men and their positions in church however to ignore the fact that there were many women of influence in the old and new Covenants and declare them to complete silence, except in taking care of children and talking to other women, is a misrepresentation of the word.
Sally can preach if she wants to she does not need to be a Pastor, Bishop, or Elder to do so. If Sally’s husband says it is OK, and her church leader says it is OK, then Sally can stand at the pulpit and proclaim God’s word. She is still under authority and that is what, I believe, Scripture requires.
Judges 4:4-6 (KJV)
4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
NOTE: Years ago I read this book entitled: Ten Lies the Church Tells Women, I wouldn’t recommend that one either.
Written by Marsha L Floyd