Are Women Allowed To Be Apologists?

Q: Am I allowed to be an apologist, since apologetics involves teaching God’s Word with authority, often to men?

A: I think the emphasis in the Bible is on positions of congregational authority. That's what a pastor is. That's what an elder is. That's what a bishop is. It's a position of congregational authority. Could an apologist become a position of congregational authority? Perhaps, but that shouldn't happen with a woman.

Now, what about women who are on YouTube or other platforms? Let them do what they're going to do. If you don't want to listen to them, don't listen to them. If they're wrong, let the Lord deal with them. I don't have any problem with the principle of a woman apologist. Maybe some of them don't do a good job at it, but with the principle, that's ministry that someone can use or not use. In no sense are they over the body of Christ in any kind of authority.

When a person sits in church on Sunday morning and hears from the pastor, they shouldn't listen with the attitude of, 'I'll take this if I want it or not.' It shouldn't be that attitude. That’s not to say they shouldn't be a Berean and measure what they hear, but you can't have, 'If I like it, I like it. If I don't, I don't.' No, there is a difference in authority. Even if the people are teaching similar things, there's a definite difference in authority.