The distinctions between men and women clearly
stated in 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 to the discrimination
of women. Many have labeled the Apostle
Paul and others as male chauvinists and have argued that the Christian faith is
misogynistic.
Though I agree with some 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 often misdirected and unjustified. It doesn’t take much digging to see that
women play a vital role in God’s Story.
We learn of the importance of women early in the
Scriptures. For example, though she
played a key role in man’s initial rebellion, Eve plays a vital role in God’s
story. She is the mother of all living. We are told in Genesis 3:15 that through her
comes Christ.
You also have popular names like Ruth and
Esther. Ruth was the great grandmother
of King David (also in the line of Christ) and Esther was a Jewish queen 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 Magdeline who were with Christ throughout his earthly ministry. They were both at his crucifixion and witnesses
to His resurrection.
Women were also key in the establishment of many
churches in the first century. 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, another lady who lived in Philippi, who also opened
up her home in a similar way.
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 the church” and a “patron” or
servant of Paul himself and others. We also
read about Priscilla, the godly wife of Aquila, whom Paul referred to as “a
fellow worker in Christ Jesus.”
Notice, by the way, that many of these women are
mentioned by Paul himself in his letters.
As one studies Paul’s writings they quickly learn that Paul had a lot of
positive things to say about women. For
example, he says in 1 Corinthians 11:7, “the 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.” In other words, Paul is
making the point in these verses 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 and 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 thinking. It is simply their responsibilities—their
roles that are different.
For more on the different roles of men and women
click HERE and listen to “ROLES ARE IMPORTANT.”
