Appendix on Paul’s patriarchal view (continued)

I say, what about Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother; Mary who was Lazarus’ sister; and the Samaritan woman at the well; oh and of course, the woman who would be stoned for adultery? These women were not made subservient to men nor placed below men. They were specifically used to glorify Jesus which is not a gender statement. Jesus never indicates that men and women are not equals, but that both men and women are tasked with very different roles ... primarily as a team which together is far more powerful than either one separately.

[Genesis 1:26-27] 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”

27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.

[Galatians 3:27-29] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ like a garment. 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.

In Scripture, when “man or mankind” is discussed it is not necessarily about just men, although in that culture men were dominant. However, this is a construct of man, not necessarily the will of God. To my way of thinking neither is above the other, yet they have specific roles which complete the family and honor God. Both do what the other cannot do, and yet, in their completeness, they can create a new person, raise that being and add to the community of mankind. Neither can do it alone … both are required … both men and women are equally important but have distinctly unique roles and capabilities. We are always better together than apart …

The acts of Jesus tell us more than the opinions of men. It is my belief that Paul was a highly conflicted man who was truly transformed by Jesus Christ, and yet he retained what he had been taught his whole life as a Pharisee and a Jew.

For me, personally, the most clarifying statement about the presence and position of women in the body is that Jesus was found after His resurrection, not by a man but by a woman: Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus had cast seven demons.

Key verses:

[1 Timothy 1:5-7] Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 6 Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. 8 But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.

[1 Timothy 2:11-13] A woman should learn in silence with full submission. 12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to be silent. 13 For Adam was created first, then Eve.

[1 Timothy 2:1-4] First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

[1 Timothy 3:1-4] This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy — 4 one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.

[1 Timothy 6:12] Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.