For some reason today, I decided to read up on some passages that often get taken at face value or literally, without understanding context and balancing out in light of other very clear Scriptures. I was led to read in 1 Corinthians 14, you know that perplexing passage that often silences women and puts them below men in the church. I have basically been emersed in male dominant teaching all my life, not totally overtly like some perhaps, but insinuated enough to make me feel 'less than'. Now, tell me, do you think that sounds like the heart of God? Was not the Gospel given to all mankind? Is there not now a 'priesthood' of all believers, male and female? Does God show partiality? Cause I thought the Bible says He doesn't! Are we not all of one body, and all the members are one? What if the husband is not a believer, how then can he teach his wife at home? And what then of single women, to whom do they go home to to be taught? Can we legitemately say, women can not teach a man, EVER? Do we even understand the culture during the times the Scriptures in the New Testament were written? Or do we just read all Scripture at face value and go with it? Are we not taught to study as one approved and to be discerning?
So, I confess, I am a bit miffed at the church at large for this degradation of women. Because, honestly, that is what it is............whether you like to admit it or not. Here is an interesting video I found posted today on Christian Feminism, that may perhaps be eye opening or perhaps not, but I'd like to share it anyway.
20 comments:
You know, the devil has done a good job of keeping women under thumb, I personally think, its because they are so flipping dangerous to the kingdom of hell. Seriously. Women love deeply, they are passionate about those they love, they are selfless and thier maternal instinct is totally unselfish.
Oh my goodness, loose women onto the world and we will have a revival...can't have that now can we?
That's my girl!!
AHAHAHAHA!! Y'all are so BAD!
Ursh, those are true, true words!!!! :D
I keep telling people....I'm INNOCENT!!!!!!!!!! Why will nobody believe me?????
"Here there is neither male nor female".
I think Paul speaking in a time where it was shameful for a woman to speak in Church. The Jews were raised that way and it's my understanding that Paul simply didn't want to give cause for offense for the Jews and others who considered it a shameful thing. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. Otherwise why would Paul have said the above? "Here there is neither male nor female". We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Besides, I have benefited much from Jamie's teaching and your teaching on your blog!
I love you, big sister!!!!!
Yes, Lydia, it seems that we do, in fact, live in a male-dominated society with a male-dominated mentality, who have created a male-dominated religious system.
Funny thing: many a GOOD, "Christian" man can't even stomach hearing this truth... they don't even realize it about their own self.
Now, please don't even get me started on how we women are viewed as nothing more than sex objects.
I have often wondered what heaven will be like, with the TOTAL absence of such. I wonder if men will even know how to act, apart from that brainwashing being shoved down their throat from EVERY direction, and with a daily vengeance.
It will be such a different existence!
Hmm, there's some silly feminist statements in these comments. There's no need for the 'we women can sort it' or the 'let's empower women by magnifying 'male sins' over 'female ones'. They no less exist...that said, I'm somewhat changed in persuasion recently from some stuff I've read that some sort of egalitarian thing is more new covenant than a 'complimentarian' thing. Taking things secondhand. I read something by Jon Zens on this, for one...That said, I think male and female are meant to compliment each other in some senses. There is man-ness in some legitimate sense, and female-ness too.
Thanks Matt, I agree, I am free in Christ, for He shows no favorites or partiality for sure. Glad you can learn from me and I can learn from you!! I actually read some fascinating articles dissecting this passage further and just wish that 'the church' (corporately) would open up their eyeballs and stop just going with tradition and see how they have been holding women back!!
Ooh doggie, I opened a can of worms, haha.........yow! FS, isn't it wonderful to find out our freedom in Christ and see that we are less and less in bondage in every area of our lives?!! I am finding that true of women in ministry too! I am in the priesthood of all believers and so are you - cool huh!!
Phil,
Hey man we are all entitled to our thoughts no? This post was intended to be a eye opener, no worries, I certainly am not bitter, but seriously it's frustrating to see much of christianity out there categorizing and taking one Scripture so literally and yet in the meantime dismissing some really blazingly obvious truths just to follow their preferred Scripture of choice rather literally, don't ya think!!
I am more leaning toward an egalitarian belief, if I have to categorize myself, these days. I think we are different yet equal, and funny that's what some complementarians say, but they still promote more patriarchal practices, ugh!! Anyway.....thanks for your thoughts!!
God's girls are precious to the Kingdom, after all isn't our goal in life the same, aren't we all to bring the Kingdom to earth..............Peace to you!!
Phil, I think He's quite fond of His sons too :)
Hey, Lydia, I tend to agree with you. I don't find myself dismissing your stuff on here because you're a woman. Rather, I find myself reading it because I want to for it's own sake...I just don't like male-female banter that even apparently jokingly puts up one sex at the expense of the other. It's not supposed to be a competition. It was the Fall that brought that, not the Cross.
No competition for sure dude!! But somehow as I come out of my former ways and more into the New Covenant mindset and understand who I am, once in a while I am reminded of some of the lies out there in all of christianity, and this whole woman can't be in ministry is one of them.
Anyway, a hearty Amen, the Cross dealt with all issues it's our answer for everything in life!!!
Just to clarify, I wasn't referring to your post negatively sis when I wrote that first comment. Just some of the sentiments in the comments section ;) Anyway, thankful for your gifts and prayers. I want that experience of abundant life still.
Oh Phil I knew what you were referring to, and I was standing up for my girls!!!
You are welcome........that abundant life IS your inheritance and the experience WILL come, just keep your eyes fixed on Jesus!!
Well, here's a big-up for the sisters :)
For the record:
I am certainly on NO tirade/mission/bandwagon. It's the LAST thing that I want to portray!
Just agreeing with the overall factual truth, that many don't want to even address. Yes, I'm certainly not out to set the 2 sexes up to oppose one another; I have extreme admiration, respect, and love for our male counterparts, but as a woman, I don't think it hurts to open our eyes and admit that in many ways, we've had it stacked against us in this society, as far as having freedom to minister, and also in how we as a whole have been viewed, at large by society. I hardly see how that can be argued, when it's literally around EVERY corner we turn.
That said: I KNOW there are exceptions (within the male gender) to the rule of how we are viewed. There always have been (exceptions), but as a society... that's been the overriding sad fact of the matter. (And, by the way, I don't think that it's just our generation; it's been going on, since the beginning of time (sin time, that is).
I appreciate your comments here, Phil, and wasn't meaning to ruffle feathers... maybe, more so, to UN-ruffle a few.
Love to all!
Hey FS. I just mean that there are two sides to the coin. The flesh in women views men wrongly, just as that in men views women wrongly...best to you.
Hey all........good dialogue, huh!!
I think what Ursula said, hit the nail on the head, essentially the devil has done a good job of trying to destroy every person's identity all the way, including seeking to divide in any way he can, between any human relationship, especially the male/female relationship and especially within marriage. We see at the fall what occurred between the very first 'picture of Christ and the church' b/t Adam and Eve and it's been going on ever since. The demonic lie and spirit behind this mentality of women in the church and their 'place' has far too long been accepted, and like we said Phil the cross changed all of that, but yet the church hasn't grabbed onto the truth.......like it hasn't in so many others areas............anyway......we wrestle not against flesh and blood my friends.......and we know that those principalities have been defeated they are illegal/false!!!
Nevertheless, no weapon formed against us women or men will prosper - AMEN!!!
Hilarious. Just before I clicked on the comments for this post I was thinking the very same thoughts that Ursula wrote.
I tend to steer clear of things with the word feminism attached as I know that it can easily be seen as an identity thing. . . and I am not overtly fond of labels.
In fact I am going to add you on to my facebook page and tag you on my recent 25 things about me and you will see what I mean. . . ha ha, plus I want to see some pics of your fam. . .
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