God, the Bible, and the Treatment of Women - PowerPoint Presentation

God, the Bible, and the Treatment of Women By Ryan Martin

Common Misconceptions There are many…

#1: God is Male God is spirit Gender is a physical attribute Since God is spirit, God has no gender In Hebrew there is no neuter Everything is either a “he” or a “she” Everything that is not explicitly a “she” is automatically a “he” Therefore God is referred to as “he” In Greek and English there is no personal, neuter pronoun “It” is not personal Therefore the Hebrew tradition is followed The only appropriate discussion of God’s “gender” is in Jesus, a human male

#2: God is Primarily Masculine God is described both as a Father and a Mother We are familiar with the Father imagery Gen 1:27; Hosea 11:3-4; 13:8; Deut 32:11-12; 32:18; Isaiah 66:13; 49:15; 42:14; Psalm 131:2; 123:2-3; Matthew 23:27; Luke 13:34; 15:8-10 God allowed himself to be described in primarily masculine terms This is what the ancient Israelites understood Patriarchal society Feminine idols were predominately fertility goddesses Israel had issues NOT worshipping these goddesses God communicated where they were He communicated in terms they would understand This was the only way to change them

#3: God’s Allowance = Approval Just because God allows something does NOT mean he approves of it God allows us the free will to refuse life with him God does not approve, but out of love he allows it Just because the Bible describes it does NOT mean it is God’s will The Bible describes rape, murder, thievery, adultery, injustice, brutality, false religions, and more The Bible does not shy away from what is wrong in this world, namely sin God is less concerned with structures and hierarchies than he is with RELATIONSHIPS

#4: Different Role = Different Value We tend to value those in higher positions more than those in lower positions Example: CEO > Janitor Their role is “more important” Parents and Children Is a parent more valuable than their child? Our society thinks that to be equal is to be the SAME This is not Biblical Think of David and Uriah (2 Samuel 11) Having a different role is not the same as being unequal

#5: Leadership = Domination Hierarchical models of leadership operate on power Those above control those below Most today assume that is what leadership of any kind means This is NOT the Biblical model of leadership Servant, lead by example leadership Exemplified in Jesus on the Cross People are called to follow out of love, not fear or control Obedience is a response of gratitude Not done in fear of reprisal or punishment Punishment is almost always allowing people to face the consequences of their own actions

#6: God’s Primary Concern is Justice We live in a social justice era Many good things have come from this Greater emphasis on God’s justice Justice for the sake of justice God’s primary concern is our relationship with HIM Social justice flows from our relationship with God This is true now as it was in Bible times God’s primary concern with Israel is how they relate to HIM Social changes flowed from that relationship This means that God is not necessarily for or against systems of government/society based on injustice

The Original Design Genesis 1 & 2

Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created mankind in his own image, In the image of God he created them; Male and female he created them.

The Image of God God created both male and female in the image of God There is no distinction of rank or status between them Male and Female are equally the image of God Both are given the same directive in verse 28 Be fruitful and multiply Have dominion over the fish, birds, and everything on the earth What does “the Image of God” mean? Ancient temple architecture The image directed the worship UP towards the deity The Image directed the characteristics of the deity DOWN to the world The world is the temple. Humanity is the image.

The Genesis 2 Account Genesis 1 & 2 are separate accounts of creation Different order of creation Different name used for God (Elohim vs YHWH) אבם = mankind, humanity, man Often translated as Adam Neither the man or woman have a proper name yet The instruction not to eat from the tree of knowledge is only shown being given to the man While different accounts, Genesis 1 & 2 make the same point

Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” – Traditional Translation (ESV) Helper is translated from the Hebrew עזר ( ezer ) The term implies equality, which the English “helper” does not Another translation could be partner “Fit for him” is most literally translated as “according to his opposite” Opposite inherently means equal Then YHWH God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a partner according to his opposite.”

Genesis 2:21-25 (Traditional Translation ESV) So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of the ribs and closed its place with flesh. And the rib the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Genesis 2:21 Breakdown תרדמה “tar-de- mah ” = deep sleep Not the usual deep sleep Visionary state: Gen 15:12; Job 4:13; 33:15 The man was having a vision צלע “ tse -la” = rib Never translated this way any where else Architectural term: side, corresponding other half Exodus 25-27 God didn’t take a single rib, he ripped the man in half The man had a vision of God ripping him in half, and from that half woman was formed

Genesis 2:21-25 (Clearer Understanding) So YHWH God caused the man to have a vision, and while he watched took one of the halves and closed its place with flesh. And the half YHWH God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Genesis 2:23-25 Breakdown Distinct difference between 2:20 and 2:23 In 2:20 the man NAMES the animals, signifying his authority over them In 2:23 the man CALLS her Woman, recognizing her for what she is The man does NOT exert authority over the woman The only one with authority over the woman is God, same as the man They are partners/equals “Bone of bone, flesh of my flesh” They are opposites, so they can be one “Become one flesh” Totally other centered “Naked and were not ashamed”

Speculation We do not see God repeating his command in 2:16-17 after woman is created This does not mean he didn’t, we just don’t see it This has caused some to speculate that the man had a unique leadership role He was to teach the woman what God had commanded He was to lead by example by obeying God’s commands, which the woman did not know This is all speculation It seeks to give a reason for the insistence on male leadership in the rest of the Bible

God’s Design Both male and female are the image of God Both perform the same task Woman is the equal partner of Man According to his opposite Man and Woman are two distinct halves of humanity Woman is not just a “rib” of Man Man needs Woman and Woman needs Man They are designed to work together Marriage is the ultimate case in point Man has no inherent authority over Woman, or vice versa

Sin Enters the Picture Genesis 3

Genesis 3:1-7 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that YHWH God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,   but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil Represents more than simple cognitive understanding God desires for his people to KNOW the difference between good and evil The man and woman KNEW that disobeying God was bad There are two meanings #1: The ability to DECIDE good and evil “Be like God…” and “to make one wise…” “I know best” attitude #2: Intimate entanglement with evil Same concept as “The man knew his wife…” (Gen 4:1) Evil = Separation from God

Genesis 3:1-7 Breakdown The serpent tempts the woman with a misleading question No information on the serpent’s identity is given Satan as a personal enemy doesn’t really show up until the NT The woman puts a modifier on God’s command “Neither shall you touch it” The serpent lies “You shall not surely die” The woman sees the appeal of the fruit Both the taste and the position of God’s authority

THE MAN WAS WITH HER AND SAID NOTHING!!!!!!

The Created Order Inverted The Created Order God Man/Woman Animals The Genesis 3 Order Animals (Serpent) Man/Woman God

The Immediate Effects of Sin Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. #1: Selfishness For the first time they focused on themselves They had been so focused on each other and God they didn’t even realize they were naked! #2: Shame They were embarrassed #3: Fear When God arrives they hide, afraid to face him

Genesis 3:8-13 (The Blame Game) And they heard the sound of YHWH God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of YHWH God among the trees of the garden. But YHWH God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”    And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then YHWH God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:14-19 YHWH God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,     cursed are you above all livestock     and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go,     and dust you shall eat     all the days of your life.   I will put enmity between you and the woman,     and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head,     and you shall bruise his heel.” To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;     in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband,     but he shall rule over you.”   And to the man he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife     and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you,     ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you;     in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;   thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;   and you shall eat the plants of the field.   By the sweat of your face     you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground,     for out of it you were taken; for you are dust,     and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:16 – The Woman’s Curse Pain in Childbearing Presumably this meant that it wasn’t painful before “Your desire will be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” תשוקה ( teshuqah ) = “desire” is only used three times in the OT Genesis 4:7; Song of Songs 7:10 The Song of Songs inclusion is an intentional subversion of its meaning This is the origin of the struggle between men and women Both sides will seek to dominate the other However, as history has shown, men usually win This is not God being mean, but rather letting them face the consequences

Genesis 3:20 – The First Act of Domination The man NAMES the woman Eve He is exerting authority over her He did this with the animals in chapter two This is often overlooked Eve means “mother of all living” People tend to focus on how nice a name it is They don’t realize the importance of naming The man has placed himself above the woman By naming her he has lowered her status She is no longer an equal partner in his eyes

Women in the Ancient Near East Egypt, Canaan, and Mesopotamia

Property Women, in most cultures, were considered property First their father’s property Then their husband’s property The husband/his parents would negotiate a price This was to compensate the father for lost labor The higher the price, the more valuable Assault/rape was a crime against the father/husband The problem was the insult to the woman’s “owner” Women would be considered “damaged goods” Women couldn’t be put on trial They were under their father’s/husband’s jurisdiction Women weren’t seen as capable of making their own choices

Men’s Responsibility Husbands/fathers were expected to take care of their women Responsible for food, water, shelter, clothing, medical care, religious purity, protection from harm Men who failed to take care of their families weren’t really “men” Honor/shame culture Since men had complete care of their family, a lot of leeway was given Physical abuse, while frowned upon, was not illegal Women were usually assumed to be at fault

Marriage/Divorce A woman’s job was to bear children, specifically sons Women were considered marriage age at their first period Women were at the mercy of their husband While frowned upon, abuse was permitted No such thing as rape within marriage Women could not divorce their husbands Husbands could divorce their wives for any reason Divorce was shameful, so not common Husbands typically sought a reason, such as their wife’s virginity Husbands could essentially execute their wives Had to have a reason, but this was flimsy

Adultery/Rape In cases of adultery, the man is held responsible The man would be tried and punished The woman would be left to her husband’s judgment Women were considered incapable of making choices The woman didn’t have the intelligence The woman couldn’t be tried as a person… In rape cases, women were often blamed The woman was assumed to have seduced the man Men were punished, but the woman was punished more severely It was the man’s duty to resist a woman’s seduction

Other Things Polygamy very uncommon Permitted, but only the wealthiest did it Women considered unreliable witnesses Could not testify at a trial Women vital to many religious functions Temple prostitution central feature of Canaanite religion No education for women Women often not allowed to read/write Exceptions were made to royalty and the wealthy Treated with far more respect Respect stemmed from their father’s/husband’s position Incest fairly common

Polygamy in the Old Testament God’s allowance does NOT equal his approval We saw in Genesis 1 God’s design for marriage Polygamy wasn’t very common anyway Polygamy NEVER produces positive results in the OT Abraham/Sarah/Hagar The Isaac/Ishmael conflict that persists to this day Jacob/Rachel/Leah Jealousy, infighting, selling Joseph into slavery, favoritism David/Bathsheba/Absalom Rebellion, murder, rape Solomon/700 Wives Idolatry, the Kingdom splits

Women in the Mosaic Law God’s Rules for Israel and their Context

A New Nation The Israelites are a part of the culture around them They are new to being God’s people They hold the same values, idols, beliefs, and customs as the surrounding peoples God met them where they were, not where he wanted them to be The Law shares many similarities to the surrounding cultures The Law has many striking differences as well The Law reflects Israel’s STARTING POINT God is slowly changing their culture God is slowly restoring their humanity

Law Against Adultery Leviticus 20:10 (repeated in Deuteronomy 22:22) “If a man commits adultery with a married woman, committing adultery with another man’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.” Both the man and the woman are punished for adultery This is consensual adultery This is opposed to only the man being punished The woman is considered a full person She is capable of choosing sin She is considered guilty for her actions

Law Against Rape Deuteronomy 22:23-29 In the case of a virgin who is engaged to a man – if a man comes upon her in town and lies with her, you shall take the two of them out to the gate of that town and stone them to death: the girl because she did not cry for help in the town, and the man because he violated another man’s wife. Thus you will sweep away evil from your midst. But if the man comes upon the engaged girl in the open country, and the man lies with her by force, only the man who lay with her shall die, but you shall do nothing to the girl. The girl did not incur the death penalty, for this case is like that of a man attacking another and murdering him. He came upon her in the open; though the engaged girl cried for help, there was no one to save her. If a man comes upon a virgin who is not engaged and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, the man who lay with her shall pay the girl’s father fifty silver, and she shall be his wife. Because he has violated her, he can never have the right to divorce her.

Deuteronomy 22:23-27 Breakdown Emphasis placed on RESISTANCE Women were expected to cry for help if attacked Difference on “in town” versus “in the country” Towns were compact and busy The country was open and private If the woman is in town, and does not call for help, she is guilty This meant that she did not object Someone could have stopped it If in the country, the woman is innocent There is no one around to help even if she does cry for help

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 Breakdown If the woman is unmarried, the rapist must marry her He must pay her father fifty silver He can never divorce her This protects the woman from being executed and discarded In other cultures the woman would be considered “damaged goods” She would either be killed or forced to become a prostitute This forces the man to take care of the woman Husbands were totally responsible for their wives well being He couldn’t divorce her for any reason Barbaric by today’s standards, but progressive by their standards

Laws Concerning Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1 Only husbands could initiate divorce Seemingly could divorce wife for any reason Key element: BILL OF DIVORCEMENT Required legal expert Required a trial Required moral grounds The law was designed to protect the woman Without it the man could kick her out with no cause The woman would then be separated from her children and home This way ensures that true grounds for divorce must be present Matthew 19

Defense Against False Accusations Deuteronomy 22:13-21 If a man accuses his wife of not being a virgin at marriage… The girl’s parents bring evidence before the elders If the man is lying he is to be whipped, fined, loses right to divorce If the man is telling the truth, the girl is executed Common reason to get rid of wife In most cultures the man’s word was enough The woman would be executed, and the man would be spared the dishonor of divorce The father of the girl would have to repay the bride price God puts a system in place to ensure the man cannot lie about it

Other Laws Leviticus 19:29 Not allowed to make your daughter a prostitute Leviticus 18 No incest Deuteronomy 25:5-10 The Levirate Marriage Law If a man dies with no kids, it is the duty of his brother to take his wife A brother who refuses is shamed and punished This was a safety net that protects the woman from homelessness The entire Law is concerned with the treatment of the less fortunate, which women would have been considered

Women in the Law Women were considered full persons They were responsible for their own actions They were capable of making decisions Protections were in place to prevent many common abuses Rape was NOT the woman’s fault Divorce was difficult Due process to prevent false accusations Men required to care for women they assault Not allowed to be forced in prostitution Women were treated with far more dignity and respect under the Law than in the surrounding cultures

A Matter of Trajectory The Law shows us that God cares for women The majority of the Law concerns Israel’s relationship with God Israel’s relationships with others based on their relationship with God God’s presence brings about change God puts his people on a trajectory As history progresses, the treatment of women is to improve As the people of God grow closer to God they reflect his values more and more As we move forward, look for how things shift closer to God’s original design

Women of the Old Testament Examples of Women Serving God

Women in Leadership Roles Deborah – Judges 4 Miriam – Exodus 15 Huldah – 2 Kings 22 Esther – Esther Ruth – Ruth Rahab – Joshua 2

The Song of Songs The only book primarily written woman’s perspective Two purposes Warning against the dangers of romantic love before the proper time Celebration of God’s design of humanity “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” 7:10 Same word as in Genesis 3:16 Purposeful subversion of the curse “As strong as death is love…” 8:6 Death is the ultimate enemy Selfless, sacrificial love is as powerful as death The Song of Songs presents the ideal, equal relationship

Jesus and Women What Did Jesus Think?

Mary and Martha Luke 10:38-42 Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet LEARNING Women were not allowed to learn alongside men Women were not allowed to study Scripture Martha is upset Mary isn’t helping Mary is in the men’s place, not the women’s Jesus says that this is where Mary, and Martha, BELONGS!!

The Empty Tomb Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 23:55 – 24:12; John 20:1-18 All four Gospels attest that women were the first to bear Gospel message Jesus’ baptism, feeding of the 5000, trial, crucifixion, resurrection Only events covered in all four accounts Jesus entrusts news of his resurrection to women Women could not be witnesses in a trial Women were considered unreliable This serves as a proof that Jesus really did rise The men don’t believe the women until Jesus appears

Women in the New Testament An Interesting Analysis

Prominent Women in the New Testament Mary the Mother of Jesus Mary Magdalene, the First Bearer of the Gospel Lydia, First Convert and Host of Philippi Congregation Junia, Called an Apostle by Paul in Romans 16 Priscilla, Friend of Paul Phoebe, Deaconess of Romans 16

Passages Concerning Marriage Often misunderstood and abused passages People have used them to justify male domination There is a distinct confusion about what it means to submit and love Colossians 3:18-19 Ephesians 5:22-33 1 Peter 3:1-6 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Submission and Love Wives are called to submit to their husbands Husbands are called to love their wives Both are being called to lay down their own wants, pride, and power for the other Submission does not equal inferiority Love is not a mere feeling or good will, but a lifestyle wholly dedicated to the wellbeing of another

Women in the Assembly A Heated Debate

The Issue There are two New Testament passages that forbid women to speak in the assembly 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-15 Given the original design in Genesis 1-2, and the trajectory set in the rest of Scripture, these commands seem arbitrary Galatians 3:28 Are these commands intended for a specific audience in a specific situation, or are they intended to be a universal prohibition?

The Deeper Issues What is the Bible? A book of rules or something different? This lack of clarity leads to an inconsistent method of interpretation We arbitrarily takes some passages at face value and others not Why do believers assemble? To remember Christ? To praise God? To be encouraged? We don’t know why we assemble We treat the assembly as box that needs to be checked We think Christianity is primarily an individual task The underlying problem is a lack of theology

The Current Cultural Climate Our culture is obsessed with equality It seeks equality between genders, races, orientations, cultures, etc., People in the church are not immune Many seek equality of all kinds no matter what the Bible says Many oppose equality of any kind no matter what the Bible says We cannot deal with the culture blindly Blind acceptance is bad Blind resistance is just as bad Just because the culture has championed it doesn’t mean its right or wrong

Personal Feelings People have intense personal feelings about women’s roles Gifts, talents, upbringing, culture, and other factors Many women feel called to leadership Many have been told this feeling is sinful Many people genuinely are uncomfortable with the idea They are honestly trying to please God We cannot ignore either side Too often this discussion devolves into name calling Those who feel called are trying to please God Those who are uncomfortable are trying to please God As long as we are trying to glorify God we can discuss it

The Bible Study Method Step One: Read the passage You would be surprised how many people forget this step or stop here Step Two: Examine the original language and cultural references If you can’t, consult multiple translations Step Three: Surrounding passages and broader cultural context Read the chapters immediately before and after the passage Step Four: Examine the whole book More context Step Five: Examine the rest of the Bible for other passages Where else does the Bible talk about this issue? Step Six: The Biblical Story See how this fits into the broader story of Scripture

1 Corinthians 14:33-35 Step One: Read It Step Two: Original Languages Step Three: Surrounding Context The entire chapter is about orderly worship Step Four: The Whole Book In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul talks about the appropriate dress of women who DO get up to pray and prophecy publicly The entire book of 1 Corinthians is about divisions and disputes From the context of the book, it is not unreasonable to posit that 1 Corinthians 14 is focusing on a particular group of women who are disruptive

1 Timothy 2:11-15 Step One: Read It Step Two: Original Languages Only instance of αυθεντειν being used for “exercise authority” Root word refers to authorship, or even murder Possible translation: “I do not permit a woman to teach that she is the author of man” Step Three: Surrounding Context Verses immediately before forbid women from braiding their hair and command men to lift holy hands when praying Verses following this seem to teach salvation via childbirth The culture of Ephesus at the time provides insight

Culture of 1st Century Ephesus The Artemis Cult Ephesus was dominated during this period by the cult of Artemis Acts 19 – The city riots over Paul’s preaching Women only cult Women priestesses were looked to as religious teachers Women members “served” Artemis via temple prostitution The cult member wore gold, pearls, and braided hair Artemis was goddess of the hunt, fertility, and childbirth Childbirth was a time of terror and punishment This was when Artemis punished heretical women Childbirth was seen as an act of punishment It was taught that women created men and men screwed the world up

It is reasonable to posit that 1 Timothy 2 is a prohibition against preaching a specific false teaching; namely that women created men and that childbearing is a curse.

1 Timothy 2:11-15, cont’d Step Four: The Whole Book 1 Timothy is a book about teaching right doctrine Step Five: Examine the Rest of the Bible 1 Corinthians 14 only other passage explicitly forbidding participation of women in the assembly Step Six: The Overarching Narrative God created men and women as equals Sin disrupted that design God has been working to reconcile and restore creation Jesus is the pinnacle of that work Those in Christ are equal (Galatians 3:28)

Discuss

Conclusion About Time!

What We’ve Learned God created both men and women in his image Both served the same role They were designed for each other as equals Sin is what broke the relationship The rest of the Bible is the story of how God is restoring what was lost The Law takes the new nation of Israel and teaches that women are people Throughout the OT God is perfectly fine using women in leadership roles Jesus is the ultimate reconciler In Christ all previous distinctions are irrelevant in regards to status The passages used to prevent women serving in the assembly don’t necessarily warrant it

Now and the Not Yet As Christians we live with one foot in this world and one foot in the world to come. We are a part of the new creation, where Jesus reigns supreme and God’s design goes unchallenged. We are called to live up to this standard, where all people are the image of God and the distinctions drawn up by this world do not matter. The Church is the preview of this reality. Still we are also in the old world, where sin and corruption rule the day and where we are still tempted on all fronts. We must balance the glory to which we have been called and the fact that we are still growing and struggling to see it.