If you’ve been caught off-guard by bestselling author John MacArthur’s comments last week, you aren’t alone.  It’s discouraging and disheartening when anyone discredits women’s right to preach the gospel of Jesus, let alone a leader in the Christian community.  But don’t “go home”, ladies.  Don’t give up.

Catherine Booth defended women’s right to preach in a pamphlet published in 1859.  It’s worth a read.  Within its pages, Catherine Booth eloquently interprets how scripture can and does affirm women’s right to preach, to teach, and to lead in the church.

Furthermore, she references the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of women, writing,

“Now, if the Word of God forbids female ministry, we would ask how it happens that so many of the most devoted handmaidens of the Lord have felt themselves constrained by the Holy Ghost to exercise it?  Surely there must be some mistake somewhere, for the Word and the Spirit cannot contradict each other.  Either the Word does not condemn women preaching, or these confessedly holy women have been deceived.”

Holy women, we have not been deceived.  If you have been called to preach, then speak up! There are those among us who need Jesus, but, “how, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Rom. 10:14)

So preach, sisters.  It’s your God-given right.

You can read the full text of "Female Ministry: Woman's Right to Preach the Gospel" here.