Women In The Bible That Held High Offices And Gender Equality
Did women of the
Biblical times hold high offices that were equal to man?
Certainly that is a question posed by all women. In some religious denominations such as Roman Catholic, The Church of Later Day Saints and some Pentecostal Churches. So lets see if this is true according to the Bible itself and biblical history.
Certainly that is a question posed by all women. In some religious denominations such as Roman Catholic, The Church of Later Day Saints and some Pentecostal Churches. So lets see if this is true according to the Bible itself and biblical history.
I often wonder how
their church gets them to believe anything that the priest, minister, pastor
says above all else. Surely it has to be some kind of brain-washing because they are taught to read their Bibles and adhere to
their doctrine. They seem to gloss over any roles in the Bible that women
played that equaled that of man. There were a few stories in the Bible itself
of women who were equalled in the responsibility of preaching/teaching and
prophesying. Jesus was a supporter for gender equality. He did have women
disciples and one of their story is brought to life in this hub along with
another that was in the Old Testament.
According to Laurence
Gardner, in his book The Bloodline of the Holy Grail The Hidden Lineage of Jesus, he states:
"The first criterion was that the New Testament Gospels must be written in the names of Jesus' own apostles. Matthew was, of course, an apostle, as was John - but Mark was not an apostle of Jesus as far as we know, neither was Luke; they were both colleagues of the later St. Paul. Thomas and Philip, on the other hand, were among the original twelve, and yet the Gospels in their names were excluded. Not only that but, along with various other texts, they was sentenced to be destroyed. And so, throughout the Mediterranean world, numerous unapproved books were buried and hidden in the 5th century.
"The first criterion was that the New Testament Gospels must be written in the names of Jesus' own apostles. Matthew was, of course, an apostle, as was John - but Mark was not an apostle of Jesus as far as we know, neither was Luke; they were both colleagues of the later St. Paul. Thomas and Philip, on the other hand, were among the original twelve, and yet the Gospels in their names were excluded. Not only that but, along with various other texts, they was sentenced to be destroyed. And so, throughout the Mediterranean world, numerous unapproved books were buried and hidden in the 5th century.
Although many of these books were not
rediscovered until the 20th century, they were used openly by the early
Christians. Certain of them, including the Gospels mentioned, along with the
Gospel of Truth, the Gospel of the Egyptians and others, were actually
mentioned in the 2nd-century writings of early churchmen such as Clement of
Alexandria, Irenaeus of Lyon and Origen of Alexandria.
So, why were these and other apostolic Gospels
not selected? Because there was a second, far more important criterion to
consider - the criterion by which, in truth, the Gospel selection was really
made. It was, in fact, a wholly sexist regulation which precluded anything that
upheld the status of women in Church or community society. Indeed, the Church's
own Apostolic Constitutions were formulated on this basis. They state: "We
do not permit our women to teach in the Church, only to pray and to hear those
who teach. Our master, when he sent us the twelve, did nowhere send out a woman
- for the head of the woman is the man, and it is not reasonable that the body
should govern the head".
This was an outrageous statement with no
apparent foundation, but it was for this very reason that dozens of Gospels
were not selected, because they made it quite clear that there were many active
women in the ministry of Jesus - women such as Mary Magdalene, Martha,
Helena-Salome, Mary-Jacob Cleopas and Joanna. These were not only ministering
disciples, but priestesses in their own right, running exemplary schools of
worship in the Nazarene tradition.
The Church was so frightened of women that it
implemented a rule of celibacy for its priests - a rule that became a law in
1138; a rule that persists today. But this rule has never been quite what it
appears on the surface, for it was never sexual activity as such that bothered
the Church. The more specific problem was priestly intimacy with women. Why?
Because women become mothers, and the very nature of motherhood is a
perpetuation of bloodlines. It was this that caused such concern - a taboo
subject which, at all costs, had to be separated from the necessary image of
Jesus.
We have all learned to go along with what we
are taught about the Gospels "
Also in the Bible women were exalted and praised for their contribution to their
families and society of that time. You can read that in Proverbs 31.
Pentecostal Beliefs
According to ALLSANDS the pentecostal church and it's beliefs and teachings is
very rigid. One author describes the doctrine in this way. "They are
fundamentalists with a narrow interpretation of the Bible. There is no room for
smokers, drinkers, gamblers or worldly movies. These are vices that will keep
you from Heaven and membership in the Church. Questionable pagan celebrations
like Halloween are ignored. While "grace" is an essential element of
most Christian doctrine, I find that Pentecostals, more than most, are
legalistic and exclusive. They have the answers and all other churches are
suspect in many areas. Behavior is closely scrutinized in the light of their
own orthodoxy. If you're not willing to quit smoking or buying lottery tickets,
I recommend leaving because you will never become one with them. "
Here is what Pentecostal Denominations believe
in regards to women:
"Pentecostalism" espouses religion
as a "romantic" philosophy, that the heart of man has reasons which
his mind knows not of, and that man's feelings are the highest authority.
Pentecostalism believes and teaches that women
may participate in leading in prayer, teaching, and preaching in public, and
doing the work of an evangelist and teacher.
1. The Holy Spirit contrasted the duties of
men from that of women in public prayer. (1 Tim 2:8-15).
2. Women are to learn in silence. (1 Cor
14:34). They are not to teach in any capacity over a man.
3. Women may teach younger women. (Titus 2:4).
They may teach a man in private. (Acts 18:25).
a. Timothy was taught in private. Apollos was
taught in private.
4. Women many not "teach" (deliver
discourses). Women are forbidden to preach. (1 Cor. 14:34)
Roman Catholic Beliefs
In an article
about Women's rights in the Roman Catholic Church these are the stipulations of what role
a woman is in the church function and household.
""As in
all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches.
For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law
says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at
home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. . . . what I am
writing to you is a command of the Lord." (1 Cor 14:33-35, 37)"
"Let a woman
learn in silence with all submissiveness. I permit no woman to teach or to have
authority over men; she is to keep silent." (1 Tim 2:11-12)
"Wives, be
submissive to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the
wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its
Savior." (Ephesians 5:22)
Women are not to be in an political, police,
or a soldier. They are not to teach adult men or have any kind of authority
over a man weather it be in the home or in the workplace.The article goes on
and on and the website even has tings such as how a woman is to dress.
You can also read
about two Nun's stories about how they came away from being a NUN in the
Catholic Church: Mary C. Hertel and Mary Ann Collins
The Church Of The Latter Day Saints - Mormons
In an article by Maxine Hanks, a former Mormon, PERSPECTIVE ON MORMON WOMEN, A Struggle to Reclaim Authority she states that the roles of
women in the Church has changed. Here is some of what she wrote:
"Mormon women obtained authority early in
the history of the church and then fought a losing battle to keep it. Their
concerns were not taken seriously, so men's authority prevailed. Feminism
emerged in the struggle, in the energy of women's rhetoric and work and in
their resistance to male agendas. "
"During the first 20 years of Mormonism,
from 1830 to 1850, women received authority for blessings, healing and
prophecy; priesthood keys, powers and rituals; and missionary calls.
"In 1884, Eliza R. Snow, "prophetess" and president over
all women and girls in the church, made it clear that the women's Relief
Society, which she headed, was "designed to be a self-governing
organization. "If difficulties arise," she wrote, ". . . the
matter should be referred to (the) president and her counselors." Later,
when men assumed governance over women, they usurped women's authority."
It seems to me that the Church went through
some sort of metamorphosis when it came to women's roles. I am not sure if that
was due to societal influence or not. It is obvious that the roles of women in
the church have changed drastically though and the men seem to love that power
and will not go back to the way it used to be. Women were equals to their
husband in every way and now they are deemed different. Makes a person wonder
what happened.
Deborah -Prophetess and Judge Over Israel
Deborah Prophetess
The book of Judges, Chapter 4and 5 tells the story of Deborah chosen by GOD
to be the Judge and prophetess of Israel.
Verses 4 and 5 states who she is and her role
as an equal to men of that time:
4And Deborah, a woman inspired, wife of
Lapidoth, she is judging Israel at that time,
5and she is dwelling under the palm-tree of
Deborah, between Ramah and Beth-El, in the hill-country of Ephraim, and the
sons of Israel go up unto her for judgment.
Please read the whole chapter and not just
these two verses. It completes that part of her story.
Deborah as the Judge
of Israel counsels Barak and he defeated Sisera and
freed Israel from the tyranny of the Canaanite King Yavin. She was the only female to hold such a high office, equalling that of an man of Israel. The men were to unwilling to hold hat position. Since the laws of that time forbade women to be alone in a house with a man she would sit under a tree for those to come to her for judgment.
freed Israel from the tyranny of the Canaanite King Yavin. She was the only female to hold such a high office, equalling that of an man of Israel. The men were to unwilling to hold hat position. Since the laws of that time forbade women to be alone in a house with a man she would sit under a tree for those to come to her for judgment.
Deborah is but one of
the 5 women prophetesses and many others that were of notable, mentioned in the
Bible. There were many more. You can find the list of names and a short bio of
each on the site Notable Women Of The Bible. She prophesied that if she went with Barak
into battle that Sisera would be delivered into a woman's hands. And so Barak
asked that she go with him and she did and the Canaanites were delivered into
her hands. She would be considered the real leader of Israel....and so she was.
Her song of victory is
the whole of Judges Chapter 5.
Her song is one of the greatest of ancient literature. in the Bible. What a great song it is.
Her song is one of the greatest of ancient literature. in the Bible. What a great song it is.
Dorcas/Tabitha Disciple of Christ
Tabitha a Disciple of
Christ
In Acts 9, there is a
story of a woman by the name of Tabitha or Dorcas as she would have been called
in those days. She was raised from the dead by Peter. Here is the story of
Tabitha. She was indeed a disciple of Christ with the other men and held in that office with
Peter's help.
36And in Joppa there was a certain female
disciple, by name Tabitha, (which interpreted, is called Dorcas,) this woman
was full of good works and kind acts that she was doing;
37and it came to pass in those days she, having
ailed, died, and having bathed her, they laid her in an upper chamber,
38and Lydda being nigh to Joppa, the disciples
having heard that Peter is in that [place], sent two men unto him, calling on
him not to delay to come through unto them.
39And Peter having risen, went with them, whom
having come, they brought into the upper chamber, and all the widows stood by
him weeping, and shewing coats and garments, as many as Dorcas was making while
she was with them.
40And Peter having put them all forth without,
having bowed the knees, did pray, and having turned unto the body said,
`Tabitha, arise;' and she opened her eyes, and having seen Peter, she sat up,
41and having given her [his] hand, he lifted her
up, and having called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive,
The Verse They Use in Error
This be the verse that they pull from the
whole story: 1 Timothy 2 12-14 (italicized and underlined) to prove their point
but if you read the whole chapter it is revealed that women are equal to the
man. It even goes to say that women are saved through child-birth. I will not
go into why some women cannot have children and if they are not saved or not.
That is another subject matter altogether.
The whole chapter for your edification:
1 Timothy 2
1I exhort, then, first of all, there be made
supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, for all men:
2for kings, and all who are in authority, that
a quiet and peaceable life we may lead in all piety and gravity,
3for this [is] right and acceptable before God
our Saviour,
4who doth will all men to be saved, and to come
to the full knowledge of the truth;
5for one [is] God, one also [is] mediator of
God and of men, the man Christ Jesus,
6who did give himself a ransom for all -- the
testimony in its own times --
7in regard to which I was set a preacher and
apostle -- truth I say in Christ, I do not lie -- a teacher of nations, in
faith and truth.
8I wish, therefore, that men pray in every
place, lifting up kind hands, apart from anger and reasoning;
9in like manner also the women, in becoming
apparel, with modesty and sobriety to adorn themselves, not in braided hair, or
gold, or pearls, or garments of great price,
10but -- which becometh women professing godly
piety -- through good works.
11Let a woman in quietness learn in all
subjection,
12and a woman I do not suffer to teach, nor to
rule a husband, but to be in quietness,
13for Adam was first formed, then Eve,
14and Adam was not deceived, but the woman,
having been deceived, into transgression came,
15and she shall be saved through the
child-bearing, if they remain in faith, and love, and sanctification, with
sobriety.
A PARTING VERSE FROM PSALMS 68
10Thy company have dwelt in it, Thou preparest
in Thy goodness for the poor, O God.
11The Lord doth
give the saying, The female proclaimers [are] a numerous host.
12Kings
of hosts flee utterly away, And a female inhabitant of the house apportioneth
spoil.
13Though
ye do lie between two boundaries, Wings of a dove covered with silver, And her
pinions with yellow gold.
