Male Preachers Calling Out Female Preachers

Male Preachers Calling Out Female Preachers

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As I am sure you have all heard, John MacArthur was asked what he thought about Beth Moore and he responded, “Go home.” Many were up in arms over this statement and especially that people laughed after he said it. I listened to it right after it was posted and before seeing how others responded to it. When he said, “Go home,” I laughed and clapped my hands. I thought it was a perfect answer!

It’s a sad day in the Church age when prominent, well-known godly preachers of the Word like John MacArthur can’t tell female preachers to go home when God commands that women go home. He wants them 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.

If women are not to teach or be in authority over men because they are more easily deceived (1 Timothy 2:14), then what right do they have to teach any biblical doctrine other than what God has specifically commanded they teach (biblical womanhood – Titus 2:3-5)? We can see almost all of these women Bible preachers/teachers leading many astray with their nonsense and they never teach what God has commanded them to teach.

The older I get, the more I see the wisdom in all of this. God gave men the ministry of teaching the Word of God (elders are to be the “husband of one wife”). He gave them the ministry of teaching the major doctrines of the Word. He gave men the strong, low voices to preach behind the pulpits in the churches. He tells women that if they have a question to ask their husbands at home NOT learn the Word of God from other women.

I try very hard to stick to biblical womanhood. I know this is what God has called me to do. When I stray from this path, I feel guilt since I know it’s not my place to teach biblical doctrines of the faith. My husband will write some posts about the doctrines but then I will get involved in the comment section and I shouldn’t. I am not perfect at this but I will continue to try to do my best since I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Women need to learn biblical womanhood. They can learn the Bible from their pastors at church and the many great male preachers of the Word on the radio or YouTube from other churches. Women need to learn to love their husbands and children, be discreet, chaste, good, sober, obedient to their husbands, and keepers at home. They can know biblical doctrine inside out and backwards but if they aren’t living in submission to their husband and aren’t being keepers at home, they are blaspheming the Word of God (Titus 2:5). Most female Bible teachers are blaspheming the Word of God.

I won’t learn the Bible from any woman. I want to learn it from men of God. God gave this ministry to men and I don’t want to overstep the boundaries God has given to me. I will continue to teach biblical womanhood as long as the Lord gives me the ability to do so. There are few who teach this but many who try to teach the Bible. (It’s a lot easier to teach the Bible to women than it is to teach biblical womanhood, that’s for sure!) Women today need to learn the ways of the Lord concerning womanhood. Marriages need to be stronger. Mothers need to be home raising their children. Women need to dress modestly, be chaste, be good, and sober. This culture would be a lot better if women began living out God’s perfect will for their lives because they were being taught by older women.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in ALL THE CHURCHES OF THE SAINTS [these verses are for ALL the churches of the saints! not just for those back then as many will try to convince you]. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Corinthians 14:33-35

***Here’s a great article on this topic: Beth Moore, John MacArthur, and Clobbering Girls in Football.

34 thoughts on “Male Preachers Calling Out Female Preachers”

  3. Because money, that’s why. Do you know how much money these women are worth? I’m not naming her, but there is aother prominent woman “teacher” who was going to get a divorce. After a year of bad press, she now isn’t going to get a divorce. I’m glad she isn’t going to divorce, but she is now capitalizing on this situation with a flood of books and speaking engagements. It surely hurt her empire when the divorce announcement was made and so she and her husband changed course. I really hope it is for the right reasons, but the whole situation looks rather calculated. There is big money in “women’s ministry” and no accountability. Remember the tele-evangelist era? Remember how hard they fell? The love of money is the root of all evil. I think we should all be pretty suspicious when someone’s website says that you have to guarantee attendance of at least 500 people before they will come speak at your church or retreat.

  4. Amen amen. That last sentence is gold. I’m all for speakers/teachers/pastors getting paid for their services but when they refuse to go to places because a church can’t afford it, thats when I have issues. Everyone needs the word not just the rich.

  5. My church adheres to only men preaching and all of our elders are men. In fact, three of our pastors are from the Master’s Seminary founded by Dr. MacArthur!

    At our Titus 2 women’s gatherings our pastors teach us women. It is a beautiful thing!

    I too, Lori, the older I get the more I see how beautiful God created the roles of men and women. I read somewhere that women don’t want equality, they want power. How sad is that.

  6. I, too, cheered when I read about this! I just love John MacArthur so much! He is my go-to preacher and I have learned so much from listening to his sermons.

    I’m also in the camp of the older and wiser. I regret that I did not live in accordance with God’s design when I was a younger woman. But the good news is He gives us the opportunity to start over at any age and be TRANSFORMED!

  7. Amen!
    Such a good article. I wish this would spread through the church like wildfire! How good it would be for the church, the family, and our country, if women in the church would just listen to and obey God’s Word! That means Feminism must be rejected by the church! As long as is has a foothold in the church, many women will continue to rebell!

  10. Women have been raised permeated in the feminist agenda so even “Christian” women can’t understand that women shouldn’t be preachers. It’s very sad and disturbing. We must keep praying that their eyes will be opened to the truth!

  11. Once again, John MacArthur rocks the world. That guy has GUTS, and I thoroughly admire him for it. Not one American pastor in twenty would have had the courage to say such truth.

  13. I really appreciate John MacArthur and my wife and I strongly agree that women should not be pastors, even those who are gifted speakers. However, I do not have an issue with women teaching and do not see such a restriction in scripture. I realize that view is likely the minority here. Beth Moore is not a pastor and, in my opinion, has a wonderful ministry to women. She encourages women to invest in their homes and to know that God greatly values women who live according to His will. This is a rare message these days, as my wife is bombarded by messages that question her value as a SAHM.

  15. There’s probably a way to link this podcast, but for those that are interested: Jon Harris, on his YouTube channel, has a “Reactions to Beth Moore ‘Go Home’ Controversy & the ‘Split’ Begins” video. Mr. Harris effectively articulates the Biblical foundation of John MacArthur’s comment and the context/atmosphere in which it was made and reacted to. I really appreciate his truth-seeking (Biblical & contextual) and pointing out the juvenile Twitter responses of “leaders” attempting to appeal to the masses-sad.

    Thank you, Lori, for continuing to direct us to God’s Word and plan for women. I learned of John MacArthur’s powerful ministry here on this blog, and I’m encouraged when I hear/read Biblical teachers reference his study of the Word.

  16. Your post is so right and might I just say WOW! So very very true and in our culture most women don’t even realize this is the true word of God for women. They are deceived. God will bless us when we do what He has called us to do. It is not a position of less than, our role is a highly called one and one of great influence over our children and our home, which every individual comes from and has their foundation in. Oh, if women could only understand and fall lovingly into this special and wonderful role as a woman of God.
    Thank you for writing this!

  17. Hi Lori,
    What female authors do you recommend? And who are your favorite male teachers? I already know you like Michael Pearl and Debbie. I too enjoy John MacArthur. I loved his book God’s High Calling for Women. I enjoy Rick Thomas as well. I love to read, but there is so much to be wary of in Christian literature these days. Would love your recommendations.

  18. That is quite surprising. I realized she had men in the audience at events, but her ministry was to women. This is similar, in my thinking, to men like myself visiting this site. However, preaching is clearly not appropriate. I am also concerned with the individuals she has partnered with and will have to look further into it. I haven’t read much about her lately, as I don’t follow her, but it sounds like she has taken a significant turn in her teaching.

  19. She has no problems preaching on Sunday mornings to men and women. Yes, please research her. John MacArthur would not have said what he said if he didn’t see a problem with what she is doing.

  20. Chris, you say: “However, I do not have an issue with women teaching and do not see such a restriction in scripture.”

    Seriously, you don’t see anything in scripture that restricts a woman teaching?

    “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” (1 Timothy 2:11-12)

    “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints, Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:33-35)

    So if a woman is not permitted to teach, or even SPEAK in the church (an assembly of the body of Christ, which includes a gathering of a bunch of saved women), where is it exactly that it would be OK for them to teach?

    I will tell you what I see in scripture. Other than the Bible making it clear that mothers are to teach their children, the only other place that (I see) where scripture instructs a woman to teach is Titus 2:3-5… and it is very specific in who and what it instructs her to teach.

    “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:3-5)

    So Paul makes it clear that older women are to teach younger women “good things” and then he defines “good things” as follows:
    1. To be sober.
    2. To love their husbands.
    3. To love their children.
    4. To be discreet.
    5. To be chaste.
    6. To be keepers at home.
    7. To be good.
    8. To be obedient to their own husbands.

    There is not a single issue of doctrine in that list.

    Beth Moore teaches everything BUT what is on that list and has a HORRIBLE ministry to women that Blasphemes the very Word of God. I encourage you to protect your wife from that cancerous teaching and do not allow your wife to listen to or read ANYTHING from Beth Moore or others like her.

  21. Nancy Campbell at Above Rubies
    Debi Pearl
    Martha Peace
    Elizabeth George
    Elisabeth Elliott
    Mrs. White at The Legacy of the Home
    Audrey Broggi
    Virginia Ruth Fugate
    Anne Ortlund
    Michelle Duggar
    Teri Maxwell

    Michael Pearl is my favorite male Bible teacher but Audrey Broggi’s husband is fantastic. Phiip DeCoursey is, too. Paul Washer, Voddie Bauchaum, Tim Challies, Dale Partridge, Ray Stedman, Adrian Rogers to name a few more!

    I hope this helps.

  22. My previous post was already too long but I did want to summarize this thought on where it is appropriate for a woman to teach and Gill does a great job.

    Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible (1 Timothy 2:12)
    “But I suffer not a woman to teach, They may teach in private, in their own houses and families; they are to be teachers of good things, Titus 2:3. They are to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; nor is the law or doctrine of a mother to be forsaken, any more than the instruction of a father; see Proverbs 1:8. Timothy, no doubt, received much advantage, from the private teachings and instructions of his mother Eunice, and grandmother Lois; but then women are not to teach in the church; for that is an act of power and authority, and supposes the persons that teach to be of a superior degree, and in a superior office, and to have superior abilities to those who are taught by them:”

    I would contend that the “church” is just as much a group of saved women meeting together as it is a mixed congregation.

    I think if the idea of a women’s only Bible study was raised to Paul back in the day, he would have looked at you like you had two heads and then said, have you not read my letter to Timothy?

  23. It does. I have read and listened to many you have listed, but some are new to me. So I will be checking them out. Thanks so much!

  24. Trey,

    I have always understood that women could teach in Sunday school classes, especially those for other women. In the church I attend, women are not allowed to preach, pastor, or be an elder. My wife would likely beat me to the door if they tried having a female pastor. This is not because a woman can’t speak well, but as you have expressed, it is not part of God’s design.

  26. Yes, an excellent video that rationally explains this controversy regarding Beth Moore and the unfortunate direction of the SBC.

  27. I have a problem with Nancy Campbell. I have a DVD entitled ‘The family meal table.’ in which she is clearly teaching men. Her head not covered (as she is expounding scripture, otherwise known in scripture as prophesying) and her husband nowhere in sight.

    However I do enjoy her above rubies magazine. It’s very encouraging. But I would be wary. I’ve talked to my husband about some of her writing and he has pointed out when she has twisted or stretched scripture. (I don’t remember them now, but I just remember the conversations I had with him in general.)

  28. It is also interesting to note how Paul characterized what an older Godly woman’s (in this case, a widow’s) reputation should consist of. Conspicuously absent is any mention of teaching or leading.

    “A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. I Timothy 5:9-10 (NASB)

  29. Lori,
    I consulted with my father, a very godly man and a pastor. He agreed with you. She has certainly fallen away from the truth of the Scriptures

  30. Hi Lori!
    Please don’t take this an attack because I promise it isn’t intended that way! as a fellow believing girl, I was just wondering why you have the understanding that it’s okay to teach women about the Bible on your blog, in a manner that some might call preaching, but don’t think it’s okay for women to preach to men or other women. Just wanted to understand the distinction.
    Blessings,
    Hope 🙂

  31. Yes, some would me a preacher in order to discount what I am actually doing. If someone were to ask me what I do, I would never even think to call myself a preacher. A preacher a man who preaches the entire Word of God in a church in front of a congregation. There can be street preachers who proclaim God’s truth in hopes of some turning to the Lord. These are all to be men. I am silent in my church and learn with all subjection as commanded by God. I teach biblical womanhood as God has called older women to do. Every man who comes to my blog knows I am teaching women. Here’s a YouTube I did on the topic:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgBeaQlLqck&t=130s

  32. It’s sickening to see so many leaders in the faith come out and support her and rebuke John MacArthur. It should be the other way around. I appreciate men like your father who know that women’s role isn’t preaching in the churches.

  33. It seems you’re ignoring the clear command from Titus 2 mentioned – older women are called to teach younger women. In teaching them to love God, where else would we rightly find our source than the Bible? If you are saying (as in reply to the commenter above) that it is somehow ok to “teach” via a blog but not by speaking, this seems A strange sort of splitting hairs and adding to the Word. Or if it is ok to “teach” in writing books (as in the author recommendations above) but not in a living room or a classroom, this again seems to be splitting hairs and adding something scripture does not. Elsewhere scripture admonishes “younger” believers to “set an example for the believers” in word, faith, and deed. So in a sense, a woman of any age is in disobedience if she is not seeking to both teach and learn from the teaching of other women. based on the inerrant and authoritative wisdom of the Bible.
    I recognize and celebrate and seek to obey the clear example that women are not pastors or elders and have no desire to be called such. I also see the clarity In instruction that women are not to teach in authority over men. Titus 2 (nor anywhere else in scripture that I can find) does not limit where and how women are to teach women. But to add to or overreach the Word is possibly even more grave a nature of disobedience. Interestingly just yesterday I taught our community women’s Bible study, under my husband’s authority. Afterward several women from different church traditions picked up their children from childcare and mentioned to my sons (who were helping) that their mom “preached” well. My youngest son shared with me later that our older son replied thoughtfully, changing the word to “teach.” (A little background: Our teaching team of four is in agreement and clearly communicates whenever possible that we are called to teach women. One woman’s pastor husband, with whom she models BEAUTIFULLY honor and respect as an example to me, helps with the music on this one morning a month. Another of our team shares each time she speaks how she consults with her husband and seeks wisdom about her content as she prepares to teach. Women In our area are painfully biblically illiterate and this monthly gathering has become a wonderful time where women are learning good doctrine to practice in homes, with family, and in personal relationships.). It led to a beautiful discussion on this doctrinal point in our family and how both sons recognized and sought to respectfully address the issue even as young men. It is encouraging to me that they have heard me clearly put myself under God’s word such that they would seek to navigate a situation in this way. I want to encourage you to look again at your conclusions and align them with a fuller look at what the Bible is actually instructing and prohibiting.

  34. The problem with the majority of women’s Bible studies are that they study popular women preachers’ material that teaches NOTHING about biblical womanhood. There’s something seriously wrong with this picture.

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