A friend just asked me about "women's roles" according to Scripture, and I thought I'd post part of my answer here.

I think one of the key points in understanding biblical male/female roles is that the Christian position is that we are to die to ourselves, and God asks men and women in marriage to do this differently, and I think in a way that is particularly unnatural, or supernatural for the respective sexes.  For women, giving up control is extremely difficult, and for men, giving up themselves is extremely difficult.  God commands these difficult acts (love/submit) of both the husband and wife, and of all Christians, but specifically for husbands to love and wives to submit and respect.  The purpose of the command of death to self, is always that there might be greater, superior life and intimacy, that will spread life to others, just as a seed can only bring forth exponential life growth by dying.  Marriage is not only intended to bring physcial life to children through sexual union, it is intended to bring abundant spiritual life to those children through the unselfish sacrifices made for them.  These hard commands are given to humans in the context of Jesus Christ giving up all, submitting to injustice with the supreme sacrifice of his life, so that there is no excuse for men and women to do less.  

The big question is the character of God--"Will He ask of me something that is harmful to me?"  and the answer is a resounding "No."  In fact, faith is the willingness to obey when it hurts because of confidence in the goodness of God.  The miracle of marriage is that through dying to self, the father and mother actually live a richer and more vibrant life in addition to giving life and anchorage to their children--this miracle illumines the power in the truth, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  

When it comes to the role of women in the church, the Bible is also clear that the position of pastor and elder is to be held by men, although it doesn't specifically deny women in those instances.  It also says it is not good for a woman to teach a man, so that is more explicit.  On the other hand, the Bible is full of examples of godly women who held great influence, who prophesied and even led men in battle, although in that case (Deborah), Barak was kind of slapped on the hand for not leading.

 Anyway, the key point here is that God's economy is not human economy.  In our culture, power is the desired value, and that for personal self-realization and personal satisfaction.  In God's economy, the first shall be last and the last shall be first, so leading/positions/titles become irrelevant to one's real worth, and leaders are to be servants for the benefit of those served, to the point of washing the filthy, dung-caked feet of so-called "lessers".  A good question is "What makes you worthwhile?  Is it your accomplishments/position/etc."|?"  If so, then what does that make people who are impaired, poor, etc.?  In God's kingdom, not many noble enter. If our worth is in anything other than our position with God, as His beloved creation, then we are not secure--we can always lose what we have grasped to gain.   There is no peace when people are grasping to keep what they are afraid to lose.

The big question is, "Is God just?"  And of course, the answer is "Yes".  It is clear that He says not to pursue the role of teacher, because they will be held more accountable.  Whatever role or position God puts any person in, He knows exactly how to provide recompense that suits that person exactly, and it is a good thing that He is the Judge, rather than us.