Have you ever really thought about what being woman and Christian means?
And now I do not mean being a woman of Christ through pouring tea after church, baking & quot;malva pudding" for the church fare, attending your all women Bible Study or remembering the minister’s birthday.
No – I mean have you ever really read what the Bible says about being a woman in church and submitting to male authority?
If you have no idea where I’m coming from, go read 1 Corinthians 12:33-35. Verse 35 says “If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.” Shocked? So was I! If you take this literally it means that as a woman you are not allowed to speak at a church gathering. You are not allowed to give your opinion or even ask if you don’t understand something. Can one really judge a woman’s role and comment on a ladies position in church according to the Bible in today’s life? It is easy to say that certain things in the Bible should not be taken literally due to the change in times – that then brings one to the question – what out of the Word should be taken literally and what can be adjusted to our times? Where does one draw the line? That however is a discussion for another day…
Back to a woman’s position in Christ… Consider Genesis 2:25 talking about man and woman, husband and wife it says “…and they will become one flesh.” My question is, if and when you are “one” why and how can one still submit under the man? This however can be argued to only be true for married women. In that case consider 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 “In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born from woman. But everything comes from God.” Thus woman and man are equal, or am I misreading something? Again Galatians 3:28 states: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ.”
My conclusion is then that in Christ man and woman is equal. Do not argue – I’ve just proved it! Is it then not contradicting to say that woman should be quiet at a church gathering and submit under the man? If you are one and equal, why can’t you be treated as such?
If you should know me, you’d know that I am a tad bit of a feminist, not an extreme “hate all men” kind, I just believe that as a woman I can do anything a man can. I don’t need a man – I’m just as capable of heavy lifting, tire changing, grass cutting and fire making as any man is. I might not do it as good as they do, but I get it done! (Having a man to help or do it for me just makes it a lot easier though.) Hence this Biblical concept was one I had great interest in understanding. Due to a lack of knowledge in this regard and levels of confusion I did not know exists I’ve decided to come to the following conclusion:
Please note that I again have scripture to support my statement. Ephesians 5:22-33 talks about husbands and wives. Verse 33 states: “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” A man’s greatest need is that of honour and respect. Every male feels special if he’s respected. (It has something to do with his ego…) and every lady has a desire to be loved by that special someone. I argue that submitting under a man is a way of giving his ego a booster! If it means I have to be quiet at a church gathering to make the men I love feel special – then so be it… To be able to say what I want and get my message across I’ll always have the power of manipulation God blessed me with – if you don’t understand why I have the audacity to say so, look at what Eve got Adam to do!
** Please take this blog with a pinch of salt and a giggle…
Love you all!
Jana