Gender Equality?

[Lamb]

Some people don't like it that there isn't what the modern world sees as gender equality in the bible. Do you think the bible treats men and women differently?

 

[JRT]

When we look at the Bible, both old and new testaments, we realize that it emerged from an extremely patriarchal society. This society devalued women to the extent that they were not even considered to be persons before the law. Not only were they devalued but they were in many ways considered to be of inferior intellect and of a carnal nature even moreso than the male. Patriarchy was part and parcel of their world view --- they simply were unable to think of the role of women in any other way. Today we know that women are the intellectual and spiritual equals of men and in every respect except physical size and strength. Jesus himself seems to gave been largely gender blind in that he numbered women among his disciples and apostles and even close friends. Paul, at first, appears conflicted until we realize that the pastoral epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus) were actually written pseudonymously some 60 years after Paul's death. This was more than enough time for patriarchy to once again take charge. In my personal opinion patriarchy just might be the ugliest evil that humanity has ever inflicted on itself. It still exerts its malevolent influence in some circles even today. As a Christian I am convinced that we should make every effort to ensure the full equality of women in every aspect of the life of our churches and in society at large.

 

[tango]

I think there's a confusion between being equal and being identical.

What I see in modern society is an insistence that men and women must be identical, almost interchangeable. In the OT the culture was such that women were little more than property and, while we've moved on from that, it doesn't mean the OT is inherently bad - merely that it reflects the culture of the time. Fussing over it being somehow discriminatory is as silly as some of the protests about today's politicians doing things in their youth that were considered normal at the time but offensive today.

In the NT's commands it seems that women get the better end of the deal. The wife is to honor her husband but the husband is to be willing to "give himself" for his wife, as Christ gave himself for the church. So my wife has to honor me, and I have to be willing to die for her. Remind me how this gives her such a raw deal?

 

[Josiah]

Some people don't like it that there isn't what the modern world sees as gender equality in the bible. Do you think the bible treats men and women differently?

Yes. Perhaps because men and women are different. Thanks be to God.



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[tango]

Yes. Perhaps because men and women are different. Thanks be to God.



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Good job you can chop and change between being male and female just by declaring it to be so then, right?

Where's that fish-slap emoticon when I need it....