Female Rulers are a Monstrocity!
against the Monsterous Regiment of Women, by John Knox
Nature itself teaches us that the female sex is the weaker, more frail of the two. This is why both Aristotle in his Politics and ancient Roman law forbade women from government.
Scripture
The Bible clearly and repeatedly forbids the rule of women. They were created for the role of helping man, and made even more subject after the Fall. (Genesis 3:16) Paul will not allow women to teach or to usurp authority over men. (1 Timothy 2:12) Paul does not say that she cannot lead her husband, but indeed any man. Now, if God will not allow women even the little authority to speak in a local congregation, does he want them to write laws, enforce opinions, appoint judges, rule nations, even sentence others to death? In the church, men might correct any error she speaks. But if she is the Ruler, she must be obeyed!
Christian teachers have uniformly understood that the Bible excludes women from all ruling offices. Tertullian, in more than one of his books, wrote that no woman can speak, teach, baptize or "vindicate to herself any office of man". Origin agreed. Augustine even said that women, who are God's image compared to the animals, are no God's image when compared to men, who can rule. Ambrose wrote: "From Christ the church took beginning, and therefore it is subject unto him; even so did woman take beginning from man that she should be subject". Chrysostom taught that women are soft and flexible, which is why they should not lead and are often misled by false teachers. And finally, Basilius Magnus preached that God designed women to be tender, nurturing mothers - not rulers.
The Bible gives us two pictures of the natural order: the human body and the nation of Israel. Only one head belongs on a body. Women are told to cover their heads to show that men are in charge. Instead, we have covered female heads with royal crowns! Then we have Israel, to whom God gave laws. These require them to put only a brother in charge. (Deuteronomy 17:14&15) Biblical justice requires us to treat people as fits their actual character. It is unfair to treat women as leaders when God has designed them to be helpers. Jezebel may flatter herself, but neither she nor her wicked supporters can protect her from the judgement of God.
Objections Answered
First, it is objected that Deborah was a judge - and Huldah a teacher of Israel. But specific examples do not establish general principles (exceptions don't annul rules). Israel spoiled the Eqyptians as they exited - can we rob our neighbors? God is the law-giver. He can exempt a particular woman from His law. Men may not do so! We are obligated to obey the Bible. We may not deduce rules from particular stories if those rules contradict God's clear rules.
However, Deborah never was a ruler. All of the male judges (Samson, Gideon, etc.) took up arms to fight their oppressors. Deborah simply sat under a tree and gave godly advice to those who sought her out! (Judges 4:4&5) While she "judged", the Canaanite King Jabin was still on his throne. (Judges 4:1&2) When Deborah told Barak to attack Sisera, it was in the form of a prophesy: "Jehovah has commanded you...". (Judges 5:6) If she had been Queen Deborah, she would have simply ordered her General directly. The Bible often uses the word "judge" in ways that do not involve civil authority. (Isaiah 5, Ezekiel 20:4, 22:2, 34:17, etc.)
Second, it is argued that the daughters of Zelophehad received their father's property, so a princess should be allowed to inherit her father's throne. (Numbers 36) But a girl does not inherit her father's offices along with his property. Land and civil power are not comparable.
Third, it is claimed that the right of women to govern has been made legal for a very long time, and that some women have been very successful rulers. What the Bible calls evil cannot be made good by legalizing it! All lower level leaders should condemn and resist the unnatural rule of a woman. Like the Benjaminites (Judges 20) and Jehoiada (2 Kings 11), our leaders should serve God by punishing Jezebels. God will judge those who set up female rulers. They are already burning - we just can't see the flames yet.
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