Bro. Rushmore, Again I come to you for some sound Biblical knowledge. Would it be sinful for Christians to sing religious songs being lead by a female Baptist song leader? In Him, Rayford Henderson, Jr.
First, being a female song leader or any other kind of female leader in a religious assembly composed of men and women is biblically impermissible, that is, sinful. Respecting the different roles God gave to men and women in religion and in the home, women are forbidden by Scripture from addressing a religious assembly. “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” (1 Corinthians 14:34). Women are forbidden in religion from taking an authoritative position over men. “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:12). Therefore, it is equally inappropriate or sinful for anyone (and especially Christians) to implicitly approve by his or her participation what God disapproves. The two following passages illustrate the principle that approving of what God disapproves causes the approving one to be likewise guilty of sin. “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:32).
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11).
Second, the Bible plainly disapproves of apostate Christianity, even if it is within the Lord’s church (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Galatians 1:6-9) and especially if it has evolved into something far from primitive Christianity (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-5), such as denominationalism. The amount of adding to and subtracting from God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19) is so great in most denominations as to foster little difficulty discerning the difference between New Testament Christianity and a manmade, altered, counterfeit Christianity. The prophet’s words and the principle within them are still true today. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). No! Second John 9-11 applies here as well respecting endorsement of what God disapproves, which is sinful.
Therefore, singing religious songs led by a female Baptist song leader violates definitive, New Testament teaching and is therefore sinful. However, being present in a denominational service as a non-participant (wedding, debate, etc.) or one’s only participation being to preach (unfettered to present biblical truth) does not violate New Testament Scripture. New Testament preachers often went among non-Christians, such as pagans and Jews, for the purpose of teaching the Gospel of Christ (Acts 17:16-34).
