What about a woman saying amen (out loud, not screaming, not intending to bring attention to herself) during the assembly? This particular woman has worshiped with a mixed race congregation where women do this.
The English word “Amen” appears 78 times in the Bible. The first two occurrences of it being uttered are attributed, by God’s decree, to a woman (Numbers 5:22). The next twelve occurrences of “Amen” being uttered are attributed to “all the people,” inclusive of both men and women (Deuteronomy 27). The Greek word sometimes translated “Amen” appears 153 times in the New Testament and more often is translated “Verily.” Both the Hebrew and Greek words for “Amen” mean “so be it.”
Women uttering “Amen” at divine bidding in the Old Testament references above occurred during the time Judaism was effective wherein women were prohibited speaking publicly in the assembly. That same prohibition of women speaking in the public assembly persists under Christianity. “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).
Since the Old Law (Judaism) did not forbid a woman saying “Amen” when assembled with the people of Israel though women were prohibited from otherwise speaking in the assembly, likewise the prohibition of women under Christianity from speaking in the assembly does not forbid women from saying “Amen” in the assembly. This is especially true since the prohibition of women speaking in the public assembly refers to Judaism respecting the prohibition (and by implication the permission respecting “Amen”).
Today, few men say “Amen” in the assembly, and fewer women are in the habit of saying “Amen” in the assembly. Formerly, I have known of a woman who regularly said “Amen” in the assembly. The congregation was uncomfortable with that scenario and we may be, too. However, as far as the Bible is concerned (and that is where our religious trust should lie), it is not sinful for a woman (or a man) to say “Amen” in an unobtrusive, non-disruptive way. However, I am not encouraging women to begin saying “Amen” aloud in our congregations, since it is not customary or culturally common among many of our congregations today (and would make many feel uncomfortable). Yet, it is not sinful to do so. “Amen!”
