Should women wash the feet of men?

[Alchemy]

Should women wash the feet of men?

Now, what I am asking is that women should wash the feet of men in the church, but the men should not wash the feet of women!

In John 11:2 and John 12:3 we read about Mary washing the feet of Jesus, but not Jesus washing her feet. As a matter of fact, I never see where men wash the feet of women.

In 1 Timothy 5:10, women were commended for washing the feet of the saints.

What do you think?

[lazarus]

My wife washes my feet every communion. I wash hers too!

There are a good and obvious reasons why the sexes are separated when there is the washing of feet. There is no Biblical injunction banning or encouraging the practice. I would not encourage it but I would not prevent it if the situation were right.

[olger]

Should be separate,

`oG

[CoAspen]

Our church has had family communion service for many years. They have separate areas for just men and women also.

[Alchemy]

So, then since we have families serving each other, I am not talking about that.

But, that women should as a point of order, wash men's feet without the men washing the feet of the women.

I am saying the Bible teaches this should be the case. We have both Mary washing the feet of Jesus and in Timothy where women are commended for washing the feet of the saints.

I would appreciate it if we could address the issue directly.

[Alchemy]

I don't see anywhere in Scripture that says the sexes should be separate at foot washing. So, I would encourage men and women to participate together in the foot washing.

[Nic Samojluk]

We should not impose the customs of old societies on our own. There is no uniformity of interpretations among Catholics regarding the practice of washing the feet of men and women. Here is what I discovered:

Question: Every year in our cathedral parish there is a controversy on Holy Thursday about whether women’s feet may be washed during the liturgy. Our former bishop washed the feet of six men and six women; but the new bishop washes the feet of men only. A lot of anger has been created by this. Can you shed any light on this matter?

Washing women's feet

http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9195/Washing-womens-feet.aspx

Women occupied a different role in society among the Jews of Jesus time. Their role was to stay at home and raise their children. Most of them were not expected to be educated. This is probably why Paul wrote that he did not allow women to talk in church.

“Better the Torah be burned than to be studied by a woman” (P. Sotah, 3:4). The Babylonian version states, “He who teaches his daughter the law teaches her tiflut,” variously translated as frivolity, lasciviousness or sin (B. Sotah, 20a).

Learned Women in Traditional Jewish Society

http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/learned-women-in-traditional-jewish-society

[Alchemy]

WOW!

I never would have associated it with Roman Catholic tradition! Hmmm... Learn something new everyday.

But, what about the Biblical accounts I have mentioned. Don't you think women washing the feet of men should be mandated?

[Alchemy]

I personally believe that Biblically speaking, Women washing the feet of men is part of the New Testament Gospel order.

I believe if we had been practicing this as we should have, we wouldn't be having this problem with WOPE.

[olger]

[Alchemy]

What's your question olger? Are you aware of the Biblical support I've provided?

[lazarus]

I personally believe that Biblically speaking, Women washing the feet of men is part of the New Testament Gospel order.

Please supply some text.

Seems like you're making something descriptive into something prescriptive.

[olger]

Could be Laz.

On a related note, I have noticed that church groups where the woman wears a "prayer covering" have no issues whatsoever with WO or WOPE.

NOPE,

`oG

[Alchemy]

I have provided these Biblical references already in this thread;

John 12:3; Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. (NKJV)

She washes the feet of Jesus, but Jesus does not wash her feet. As I said before, I can't find instant where a man washes the feet of a woman in the Bible.

1 Timothy 5:10; well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. (NKJV)

We find here that women were recognized for "washed the saint's feet". Never is it the man recognized for washing a woman's feet.

[Alchemy]

Could be Laz.

On a related note, I have noticed that church groups where the woman wears a "prayer covering" have no issues whatsoever with WO or WOPE.

NOPE,

`oG

WO is not the issue as I understand it, but WOPE is the issue.

[Nic Samojluk]

[/quote.]

Thanks, Olger! Words can't compete with pictures!

[olger]

[CoAspen]

Are we going to argue about everything that has to do with women? Is this pick on women year?

[olger]

This is a good time to laud my mother - who happens to be a woman.

I also have a great wife - a woman.

I have a good sister - you guessed it...a woman.

I have a very nice daughter-in-law - as it happens, a woman.

What else you got?

[Woody]

Cool Og. I didn't know you had it in ya.

[CoAspen]

[Alchemy]

Are we going to argue about everything that has to do with women? Is this pick on women year?

I am not picking on women!

I am trying to understand what the purpose of women are supposed to be according to Scripture and Ellen White. That is what all these people promoting WOPE keep trying to stress! Over and over again with the purpose and calling of women!

Well, I see clearly in the New Testament, and in Ellen White's writings, that women are to wash the feet of men and NOT have men wash their feet.

[Tom Wetmore]

But the confusion is just as Laz stated earlier - "Seems like you're making something descriptive into something prescriptive."

That is a clear difference. If we take everything described in Scripture as prescribing what we are to do and as the only way to do things, we would still be wearing robes, walking everywhere we go and cooking over open fires. An example of such absolutism and extremism would take the WWJD idea and say that we all must cook fish over an open fire on the beach for breakfast, just as Jesus did. Fresh fish for breakfast for everyone. No exceptions allowed.

And if I understand your premise, because you see a couple verses describing two different women washing feet, you assume this is the prescribed role for women only. Well, Jesus broke that rule (assuming it was even a rule to begin with) by washing the feet of the disciples.

[CoAspen]

[CoAspen]

>I am trying to understand what the purpose of women are supposed to be according to Scripture and Ellen White.<

Really? Still, after all these years of your life?