Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a women’s only gala with some of my closest friends. The event was the culmination of photographer Jessica Yates’ campaign of 40 over 40. Her mission was to highlight the stories of forty women over the age of 40, and to honor how God has moved in their lives. There is something different about a room full of women who are all about lifting others up. As they spoke about the impact their faith has had, I couldn’t help but think of those critics who have said how misogynistic the Bible is and oppressive to women.
I will admit, when I’ve studied Paul’s letters to Timothy, that I wondered if this was a correspondence of the He-Man Woman-Haters Club (Little Rascals Reference). However, scholars who have studied these letters, the region this church was established, and the people of the time have concluded that Paul is addressing a specific issue and not belittling women. Audience is important. Theologians have widely accepted this as to why these verses would be so contrary to the rest of scripture, and Paul’s own praise of the women he worked with in their own churches.
The Bible openly acknowledges the contributions of women. Going back to Genesis, at the end of each day of creation God took stock to determine if each area was done to the best it could be; that it was good. After making the first human He realized mankind was not yet the best it could be. Where God made Adam a mirror of Himself, He now put divine thought into what the Earth would need to be fully good in His eyes. This is why man and woman are so different. They are purposefully a counterpoint to each other so that the caretakers of the Earth would not be lacking in anything. God loves His sons and daughters and has never shied away from using women to be his shield-maidens of faith. We see Moses’ sister, Miriam, who was considered a prophetess and among his council. Deborah was a prophetess, a wife, and a judge over all Israel. The army commander asked her to aid in leading the troops in battle, and she did so without hesitation. Ruth chose to support her ex mother-in-law and that sacrificial love earned her a mention in Jesus’ genealogy. Hadassah, whose Persian name was Esther, was put into position to keep the exiled Israelites from genocide. Of course there is also Mary, who accepted the honor of being mother to Jesus. Then there is the first person Jesus made a missionary of the gospel: the woman at the well. These are just my top line examples. If you wanted to do a deep dive, you would find the Bible is full of women being empowered, and you’d see a God who loves His daughters.
Unfortunately, the battle of the sexes has had collateral damage in all areas as war rages between masculinity and feminism. As are all things, woman is under the sovereignty of God; yet there is a hierarchy established within the confines of marriage. Where the single Christian woman submits to God, the married woman must also submit to her husband. (see Ephesians 5:22) I want to be clear that the wife is called to submit and not that she is subservient, as in less important. Scripture states that in marriage the two have become one, and that a house divided will fall. Therefore, God has determined that as man was created first and will be held to account for the way he leads his family, the wife must defer to his direction. When I was young, my mother would leave us kids alone at home and tell my oldest brother that he was in charge. Often this would be without incident, but other times something would go wrong and he would be held responsible whether it was his fault or not. That is the similar idea to the husband’s responsibility. God set them outside the Garden of Eden with the curse and said to Adam you’re in charge. Wives are to respect their husbands for this expectation that is put on them, and yield to his leadership as the head of the family.
This may sound contrary to the idea of feminism, but in reality it is actually empowering. As believers we are given authority to go forth in Christ, and how Christ gave everything for the kingdom of God to thrive. When you read on from where the wives are called to submit, you see the husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church and give of themselves for her. A man of God understands this responsibility, and recognizes that his wife is the daughter of the King. She is given unique gifts and accepts that God has a plan for her life as well. The loving husband gives authority to his wife to do all she needs to for their family, and guides her in such a way so that she can be holy in God’s eyes.
Whether married or single, women continue to minister, to educate, and to council their fellow believers. Even today you will find varying degrees of acceptance of their efforts. Regardless of the headwinds you may face, I encourage my sisters in Christ to see themselves as God sees you. Strong yet gentle. Warriors as well as peacemakers. A soft place of comfort as well as a driving force. In a word, extraordinary.
Author Dellaca Ferraiz Reynolds 