By Mike Edwards
It’s a fair question. The majority of people born into this world didn’t possess a copy of the Bible or even heard of Jesus. I doubt a Creator would only communicate through such means. Besides, it can’t be proven God controlled the words and thoughts of the writers to always portray God accurately. It is plausible a universal instinct to treat others like we want to be treated is a personal external force communicating through our moral intuitions. Such intuitions aren’t of the devil!
Many people of faith only believe in gender bias roles because they think the Bible does.
Many growing up in church suggest hierarchical relationships between the sexes out of devotion to the God of the Bible. Many are unaware biblical scholars who respect the Bible believe Scriptures endorse equalitarian roles between the sexes. See here. The truth is literature, even if proven every word written, edited, or translated is inspired by God, requires interpretation. We mustn’t say interpretations are infallible when being wrong has huge consequences.
How can we know what God thinks?
Ancient Books are subject to mistranslating and misinterpreting. We cannot avoid using moral sense in ethical matters. We seem to always know we ought to ask ourselves – am I loving others perfectly. Good thing there is no magic book to tell us what God is like! We would just use it as a club to beat people into believing. I am not sure why any fair-minded person would think women can’t fulfill the same roles as men unless believing a Book about God teaches otherwise. Most agree not allowing equal roles because of skin color is immoral. We can civilly discuss how to best love others using common moral sense than insisting on a supposed correct interpretation.
Intuitively, would God encourage role differences at work but not at home or worship?
Few justify openly only allowing men in leadership roles in business. We call them misogynists or bigots! Is God really prejudice who the preacher or priest is? Not allowing women the same leadership roles as men implies God doesn’t trust women to handle the Truth! I would suggest denying women equal roles, because of the gender born, is emotional abuse if they are gifted to lead. A good God surely doesn’t advocate favoritism based on the race or gender you are born. The most qualified or gifted should surely lead the company. Why not the church?
What are the consequences of women unequally submissive in marriage?
Best friends, in marriage or other dyad relationships, don’t require a leader. Men often assume loving leadership means making final decisions in impasses. I have never had a marriage issue in 38 years that cannot be solve creatively without one partner making all such decisions. Men in authority over women can encourage dominance on the man’s part and dependence on the woman’s part, which can be conducive for domestic abuse and the other atrocities women face at the hands of men. Men, including myself, given an inch are tempted to take a mile!
What does the biggest clobber passage in the Bible say?
The apostle Paul could have in a different culture encouraged men, then women, to not teach for the sake of peace (I Tim. 2:12-15). Paul in the same breath advises women to avoid certain hairstyles or jewelry (I Tim: 2:9), but churches don’t make the same prohibitions as women teaching. Paul likely used the first couple as an example of what to avoid – Eve prevailing upon Adam to go against God’s ways. But, if such a sin keeps women from preaching for eternity, maybe men shouldn’t preach either. Keep in mind Paul says elsewhere Adam was responsible for what happened in the garden (Rom. 5: 12).
Hierarchical relationships between the genders are a haven for abuse by men.
In many countries a Book is used to suggest God condones women not having the same rights as men to vote, drive, or dress how they want. WHAT! One person wrote to the editor of a newspaper in the US: “…it’s been bothering me since 9/11. What’s the difference between the strain of Islam that proscribes gender roles and its counterpart in Christianity that does the same thing, albeit with a different set of prohibitions? In any religion justification of the different treatment of women from men is usually because of a Holy Book that speaks for God. Let’s use common moral sense to stop emotional and physical abuse of women!
I’m sorry, I failed to give the full scripture from which I quoted, if you don’t mind here is that particular verse: Pro 19:21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Thank you for your patience…….Lord bless you….
LikeLike
Thanks for responding. Sounds like we have both witnessed pain on both sides. God bless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand, and no I will not strive to be contentious. I’ve been saved 42 yrs, by the Grace of God, and I’ve had experiences with women who have led as Pastor/teachers, and brought much pain and suffering due to their false teaching and belief’s. Families destroyed, faith’s of person’s were nearly destroyed. So by the Lord’s Grace and His Holy Spirit, He has taught me, and has written it upon the tablets of my heart women have no place to be in authority over the Body of Christ. This was not a “fleshly” interpretation, it was wrought by the Holy Spirit.
I shall leave it at that, and thank you for responding in a meek manner.
“The Lord’s Council shall stand” no matter what we may or may not believe, and that say’s it all.
The Lord bless you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
cctechm777 We obviously disagree and that’s okay. I assume you know that biblical scholars, who respect Scriptures, agree with my interpretations. Others scholars agree with your interpretations. So, I am be wrong. You may wrong. “Fleshly interpretations” are not infallible.
Let’s both keep an open-mind. I happen to believe the negatives consequences of your beliefs may be greater. I based this on personal experiences as a therapist and books/research that share horrific experiences women have experiences as a result of men having more power/decision-making in the relationship than women. As you say, the Holy Spirit will have to guide us both. Let’s both be charitable with others in expressing our differences.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s sad that you obviously do lack true Holy Spirit discernment. God’s Word stands sure on the roles between men and women, and our Lord changes not, but the devices of men’s heart will always resist God’s Word and His council.
I do not know what you suffered at the hands of the Apostate Church system, and trust me I do know, I’ve been there and suffered much. However through it all, I’ve learned God’s Council according to His Word stands true. His foundation will always be planted upon the Rock, who Is Jesus Christ and as taught by His Apostles.
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Women have no authority by God to teach or Pastor the Lord’s sheep.
And the problem with the abuses you are hinting at truly do exist, but it’s due to the hearts of unregenerate religious men that are the cause of those sinful actions, it is NOT God’s fault, it is the religious system.
So “if” you truly are the Lord’s child, then I pray He will guide you by His Spirit into the His Truth regarding the matter, and not by your fleshly interpretation according to “the traditions” of men.
Lord bless you.
LikeLike