The distinctions between men and women from the Scriptures have come under attack in our world today.  Many have argued that the church and some of the teachings in Scripture have contributed to abuses against and the discrimination of women.  Many have labeled the Apostle Paul and other New Testament writers as male chauvinists and have labeled the Christian faith as misogynistic.

Though I agree with many of the rights women have fought for over the years, I believe that the assaults made against the church and against the Christian faith are unsupported, unjustified and downright unfair.  It doesn't take much digging to see that women play a vital role in God’s story.

For example, though she played a key role in man’s initial rebellion; Eve plays a vital role in God’s story.  Scripture tells us that she is the mother of all living (Gn. 3:20).  We are told in Genesis 3:15 that through her comes Christ.

There are also the wives of the patriarchs.  You have Sarah, the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac and Rebecca, the mother Jacob.  You have Leah, the mother of Judah in the line of Jesus and Rachel, the mother of Joseph.  Rachel’s son was used by God to save His people from famine.

You also have Deborah, who was a key figure in the book of Judges and Rahab, who played a key role in Israel’s entrance into the promise land.  You also have popular characters like Ruth, who is the great grandmother of King David in the line of Christ, and Esther, who used her influence given to her by God to speak up for God’s people so they could be spared from annihilation.

Women also play a key role in the New Testament.  You have Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, who was with Christ and followed Him throughout His earthly ministry and was there at His crucifixion and became one of the first witnesses of His resurrection.

Women also played a key role in the early church.  An early convert was Mary, the mother of John Mark, who gave her house as a meeting place for the Christians in Jerusalem.  There was also Lydia, who lived in Philippi.  Lydia also opened up her home for ministry.  

In Romans 16 we learn of other women who were actively involved in ministry.  Paul writes about Phebe and says of her that she is a “servant of himself and the church" (16:1-2).  We also read about Priscilla, the godly wife of Aquila, whom Paul referred to as “a fellow worker in Christ Jesus" (16:3).

Notice, by the way, that many of these women are mentioned by Paul himself.  As one studies his writings, they quickly learn that he had many positive things to say about women.  He says in 1 Corinthians 11:7, “a woman is man’s glory” and in Galatians 3:28 he says “There is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  Paul goes out of his way in these passages to make the point that there is interdependence and equality among men and women.  He sure doesn't sound like a male chauvinist and the Scriptures sound any but misogynistic.

Truth is, Christianity has said more and has done more to affirm the equality of women spiritually, personally and in ability than any other system of belief.  Scripture is clear that men and women are equal in person—they are equal in terms of essence, in terms of personality, and in terms of ability.  It is simply their responsibilities—their roles that are different.  

For more on the roles of men and women click HERE and listen to “WALKING WORTHY AS HUSBAND AND WIFE.”.