ABSTRACT
With only few exceptions, the life of women in early eighteenth-century Germany was one of silence. Society allowed women little opportunity for public expression, as public life remained the exclusive domain of men. And the church was no exception to this state of affairs. Drawing upon the teachings of Martin Luther, the eighteenth-century German church allowed women no speaking role in the worship service. While Luther himself held women in higher esteem than his followers generally did, he still did not allow them to speak in church. In his 1532 letter “Von den Schleichern und Winkelpredigern” (“Infiltrating and Clandestine Preachers”), Luther presented several examples of women prophesying in the Old Testament, including Deborah, Huldah, Sarah, and Hannah. However, he went on to state:
But in the New Testament the Holy Spirit, speaking through St. Paul, ordained that women should be silent in the churches and assemblies, and said that this is the Lord’s commandment. Yet he knew that previously Joel had proclaimed that God would pour out his Spirit also on handmaidens. Furthermore, the four daughters of Philip prophesied. But in the congregations or churches where there is a ministry women are to be silent and not preach. Otherwise they may pray, sing, praise, and say “Amen,” and read at home, teach each other, exhort, comfort, and interpret the scriptures as best they can. 1
