Women in the Bible and Their Gender Roles - Essay Example

? Women in the Bible and their Gender Roles Introduction In a bid to provide a deeper understanding of women in the Bible and their gender roles, the following discussion revolves around works and writings of different scholars. Sexuality is an important aspect of human life. Topics of sexual morality within gender studies have spurred hot debates amongst various scholars. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that sexual morality emanates from the Bible. Perceptions of sexual morality in the contemporary church significantly borrow from the ancient Israelites and the lives of Christians during the life and after the death of Jesus Christ. Many women in the Bible have shaped the perception of contemporary church on gender roles. There is no doubt that the gender roles in which Biblical women subscribed to emanated from a culture that largely differs from contemporary culture. Women in the Bible and Gender Roles The Old Testament vividly describes the life of the ancient Israelites, which shaped the perception of women and gender roles. During the classical period women were considered to be wives in charge of domestic duties and not leaders. The Biblical perspective of women as portrayed in the Old Testament is that they (women) were never expected to participate in leading a given community (Belleville, 2000). Most women in the Bible during the Old Testament are seen as submissive and helpless as they abide by the directives of the men. From the onset of creation, Eve was created as Adam’s helper. Creating a woman as a man’s helper changed the perception of men towards women during the classical period. Consequently, women were despised and never allowed to take any leadership position within the society. In this perspective, the Bible identifies women as helpers and not leaders. Other than being wives, the other gender role of women in the Bible is being mothers. Many women in the Bible are portrayed as good and caring mothers with very few exceptions (Hancock, 2003). For instance, Moses’ mother was a good and caring mother to the extent that when Moses was born she placed him along the river banks with a view of protecting him (Moses) from Pharaoh. Even when the King’s daughter came across Moses, Moses’ mother accepted to take care of him (Giles, 2002). This depicts women as mothers besides being wives. In addition, the Bible describes women as those who prepare food for the family, provides a helping hand in the fields, sews, and sells merchandise amongst other functions, which are essential the functions of a mother. Therefore, the Bible portrays women as caring and good mothers who are able to take of their husbands and the whole family (Hancock, 2003). Despite the negative perception with respect to leadership and authority, there are women who excelled more than men when they were in leadership position. This was an indication that what men can do women can also do and in most cases better. For instance, the story of Deborah and Miriam being judge and prophetess respectively is a clear indication that besides being perceived as people who cannot take leadership or authority, women are better leaders than men in some cases. What’s more, the Bible does not identify circumstances under which God was never pleased with women leaders, an indication that besides being wives and mothers women can take up leadership roles within the society. Other than Debora and Miriam, Hulda was another woman figure that changed the perception of men towards women. Evidently, women in the Bible were not only wives and mothers but also leaders. On a different perspective, the New Testament, which revolves around the times of Jesus Christ, portrays women slightly different from the Old Testament while trying to describe various gender roles. Nonetheless, the New Testament identifies women as good and caring mothers (Groothuis, 1997). Good and caring mothers are seen amongst many women in the New Testament such as Mary mother of Jesus. Mary and Martha are also considered to be caring and good women within the society, who took care of Lazarus, their brother (Cunningham & Hamilton, 2000). In addition to being seen as caring and good women, Jesus Christ teaches about equality between men and women. In most of His teaching, Jesus Christ used analogues of women for instance the woman of Samaria. Jesus Christ was positive of women in His quest to develop the idea of equality amongst men and women within the society. Moreover, through redemption in Christ, men and women have an equal share of the salvation and its blessings. Creation of man and women in the image and likeness of God as described throughout the Bible also portrays the equality amongst men and women. Consequently, there should not be a significant discrepancy within the prescribed gender roles in the society (Belleville, 2000). In addition, God made men and women to be equal in both their values and personhood, which further confirms the need to have equality. Throughout the New Testament, there are many men who accept the equality God used in creating man. For instance, Paul describes the various gender roles as regarding family life after confirming that there is equality between men and women. Some of the women that Paul praises and uses to confirm the equality between men and women include Phoebe, a servant of the church; Priscilla; Junia; Mary; and Persis (Beck & Craig, 2001). These and many more women portray the positive side of women for being committed to church activities. Amazingly, women (Mary and Mary Magdalene) were the first to receive the directive and command to go into the world and tell people the good news of resurrection of Jesus Christ. Women were the first to experience salvation from the resurrected Lord. This is a clear indication that what men can do women can also do and in some cases better. Women in the Bible during the New Testament have also indicated that they have what it takes not only to be good and caring but also courageous. According to Beck and Craig (2001), Women in the Bible were able to identify with Jesus Christ during His trials despite many men like Peter abandoning Him. This shows that like men, women can also be substantial people within the society (Fleming, 1993). Despite leadership being reserved for men, the Bible during the New Testament explicitly indicates that women can also be part of some beautiful aspect of the society (Belleville, 2000). The Bible portrays women as those who are not only concerned about the society but would always take the initiative to change the situation even when men are not concerned. For instance, when Jesus Christ was left in the temple, Mary’s concern and her initiative forced Joseph into going to search for Him (Pierce, Groothuis & Fee, 2004). This is a clear indication that the society has had bad impression on women especially during the Old Testament. Despite the current struggle on the position of women in the society, the Bible, which for a long time has been considered a reference book in terms of sexuality depicts women as very different creatures in the society. Though some women within the Bible are portrayed as immoral and irresponsible, a bigger percentage of women are good, caring, concerned, and would always take initiative in order to accomplish some specific tasks. The Old Testament and the New Testament slightly differ in the position of women within the society. Nonetheless, both the Old and New Testament confirm the leadership role of women in the society. From the perspective of the Bible, there is no doubt that men and women are equal despite the discrepancies within gender roles. References Beck, J. & Craig L. (2001). Two Views on Women in Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. Belleville, L. (2000). Women Leaders and the Church: Three Crucial Questions. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. Cunningham, L. & Hamilton, D. (2000). Why Not Women?: A Biblical Study of Women in Missions, Ministry, and Leadership. Seattle: YWAM. Fleming, J. (1993). Man and Woman in Biblical Unity: Theology From Genesis 2-3. St. Paul, MN: Christians for Biblical Equality. Giles, K. (2002). The Trinity & Subordinationism: The Doctrine of God & the Contemporary Gender Debate. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. Groothuis, R. (1997). Good News for Women: A Biblical Picture of Gender Equality. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. Hancock, M. (2003). Christian Perspectives on Gender, Sexuality, and Community. Vancouver: Regent Publishing. Pierce, R., Groothuis, R. & Fee, G. (2004). Discovering Biblical Equality. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. Read More