Question #40
May a woman occupy a position of authority over a man in the secular world?
I would like for you to address the subject of women and authority in the secular world. In a form of a question, “Can a woman occupy a position of authority over a man in the secular world?”
The Answer:
The short answer is “Yes.” Scripture addresses the relationship between men and women in the church and in the home. It does not address that relationship in the secular world, e.g., the world of business or education or politics. We do know that Lydia was a seller of purple. Acts 16:14. Her husband is not mentioned. The worthy woman of Proverbs 31 bought real estate and planted vineyards. She was married, but the role, if any, of her husband in these activities is not revealed. While there are many opinions about the roles that women ought to play in the secular realm, there are no limitations placed upon women’s role in the secular world in Scripture. There is one caveat – the woman who is active in the secular realm cannot, with God’s approval, neglect the role that He has given her in the home. This is not to say that the Bible teaches that a woman’s place is only in the home. It does not. The truth is that the same thing is true of the man – his activity outside the home does not relieve him of the God-given duties that he has in the home.
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