Quote:
Originally Posted by awareness
You've provided no substantial proof that 1st c. Christian women weren't considered lower class citizens, and that it wasn't patriarchal and misogynistic.
|
1. I use the NT to define what a Christian woman is considered.
2. The term "Patriarchal" is not equivalent to misogynistic nor is it equivalent to making women a second class citizen. Appreciating the role of men in society is not equivalent to not appreciating the role of women.
3. The NT does not have a "class system" as far as citizens of the kingdom. Therefore you have not provided the slightest evidence that there is such a misogynistic attitude. In contrast to your unsubstantiated allegations there is the following:
a. Paul taught "there is no male or female" in the kingdom
b. Paul taught that an elder has to be the husband of one wife. That means that for every male leader in the church there is also a female one. Although it is not a rule it is well established statistically that women outnumber men in the church 2:1, therefore a woman leader is a very influential person in the church.
c. Paul instructed the elder women to take a leading role in teaching the younger women.
d. Paul referred to leading coworkers that were women.
e. Paul instructed men to "love their wives as Christ also loved the church" -- a much higher standard than any other society puts on men, either in the past or the present.
In addition consider that neither Paul nor any of the other apostles ever speaks derogatively or dismissively concerning women or sisters.