Robert wrote:Valerie wrote:
Of course! On a discussion forum, sharing what someone else teaches isn't teaching, it's sharing- I think that if these were my understandings and I'm trying to teach them to you as 'student' or to take authority over you - then we're going into teaching, at least this is what makes sense to me. If someone is sharing something with me, I don't necessarily equate that with them being a teacher in authority to teach me- can I learn from someone this way? Sure- maybe they are too close for comfort at times but I am not sharing my interpretations, they were interpreted before me.
This sounds like rationalization to me. Why would it matter if it is your or someone else's interpretation that dictates if it is teaching? If this is the case, then all school teachers are not really teaching since they are just reteaching what someone else has taught them.
I also do not know where you get the idea that a teacher has "authority" over someone. A teacher has knowledge that they project or pass on to others. Jesus never took authority with others, but taught through stories, actions, and dialogue. I see your perception of teacher as extra-scriptural. Maybe it is a cultural understanding you are using.
It seems to me, back on MD, when this was discussed- people felt like when women discuss on mennodiscuss, it is not the same thing as 'teaching' and it is not the same thing as 'church' , but if I am seen as a teacher here, to an unlearned audience, I apologize, I don't see myself as a 'teacher' nor folks here as students-
consider this example by Apostle Paul, the one who said women are not to be teachers or have authority over men-
Acts 18:
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when
Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Paul doesn't seem to have an issue with Priscilla being part of the team to help expound the way of God more perfectly- I say this because perhaps I am seeing a difference in what Apostle Paul taught about women teaching in church, (which I am in agreement with him, that they should not) and being able to explain things in times like these- passing on what they have been taught- or expounding- maybe I'm the only one who sees it this way