Modern Biblical scholarship has produced an abundance of fruit for our collective benefit—if we would only pay attention to what we are being taught by credible mainstream scholars. The same may also be said for modern historical research.
For example, there is a major consensus among Biblical scholars today that the Apostle Paul wrote at least seven New Testament letters: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Also, they are now fairly confident that Paul wrote these letters well before the four Gospels were written.
Why is this important?
It is important because we are able to detect a dramatic shift away from Paul’s original thinking regarding the equality of women in the church (and in society-at-large). In fact, it has been pointed out that Paul was one of the most egalitarian thinkers of the early Christian period, especially regarding women (Galatians 3:28).
But as one reads the rest of the New Testament, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the remaining New Testament letters not believed to have been written by Paul, one may detect a definite shift away from Paul’s egalitarian view of women.
A good example of this is found in John’s Gospel (7:53–8:11), written a few decades after Paul was executed. Now given the suspicion that this text was not originally part of John’s Gospel, it nonetheless reflects a shift away from Paul’s egalitarian view on women.
It doesn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to see that only the woman is brought to Jesus for punishment (stoning) for her sin of adultery. Her male accomplice is mentioned by implication only. He was not subjected to the public humiliation and shame that only the poor woman experienced.
Why is this?
In this case, however, I believe Jesus ruled correctly although I have always been disappointed that he didn’t at least ask where her male sex partner was?
There is also evidence that women enjoyed a much more egalitarian relationship with men during the historical period prior to the Agricultural Revolution of 10,000 BCE, after which male dominance and inequality between the sexes diminished, thus producing patriarchal societies with which we are all familiar today (see, Diarmaid O’Murchu, Incarnation: A New Evolutionary Threshold and Catching Up With Jesus).
This is a very little known part of human history that remains out of view of most people today. But it is worth looking into just to see how we humans once got it right it seems but for whatever reasons dropped the equality ball when it came to the sexes.
So what does all this tell us today? Is such a view of history even relevant in today's world? Did Jesus have such an effect on Paul’s worldview that it transformed his thinking on the relationship between men and women in terms of equality? Additionally, can we trust the painstaking work of anthropologists regarding the rise of patriarchal dominance following the emergence of the Agricultural Revolution?
Well, I believe the way we answer these important questions will help determine how we as a civilization can successfully recapture the egalitarian spirit demonstrated by both Paul and Jesus as well as our ancient ancestors.
Unless we take the cues of credible scholars, both Biblical and historical, we males will never treat women as our equals. We will never see women wearing the clerical collar in faith traditions that only ordained men. We will never be blessed by female pastors in Fundamentalist churches. We will never benefit from the unique female perspective on both theology and politics. Women will be treated in the workplace as equals to men.
To be blunt, we males will never trust women to be our equal partners in life.
The Apostle Paul was an equalitarian champion of women. The Gospel of Jesus Christ transformed his thinking and elevated his once male opinion of women—as it should have. Paul took his cue from Jesus, yet over time there was pushback by the male powers in the church, reflected in letters written after Paul.
Yes, there are some mainline denominations that acknowledge the equal place of women in both the congregation and among the clergy. Good for them. But it is not enough for us to recapture the spirit of equality that permeated both Jesus’s and Paul’s worldview.
Until such time that women gain equal footing with men, both in the church and in society-at-large, then I am afraid their place in society will continue to reflect the patriarchal dominance that has ruled for much too long now and women will be less likely to be trusted as equals by dominant males who are intent on holding onto their male power.
Christians should always bear witness to gender equality taught by both Paul and Christ.
There is simply no other option for us today.
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