Re: Paul's Uncomfortable Verses About Women
Interesting conversation on tricky issues. I have loved to learn this perspective that is put forward on this thread. I too struggle with all the verses above, and getting a grasp on God's true intention for the relationship between man and woman.
I can't see how the quality of a person's contribution should be less important than their gender, for example, Corrie Ten Boon's famous exchange with the ex-Nazi officer as she gave him communion. This testimony has become famous, and has been powerfully effective to many people, for many years. It was her struggle as a human being in ways that relate to us all, male, female and anything in between. It just feels 'religious' to reject a powerful testimony based on a person's gender.
But then what to do with Paul's instructions? So, I for one am very intrigued with this new perspective, and I do think the grammar creates sense from otherwise confusing and self- contradictory passages. It's something to pray about and wrestle with, as Untohim has advised. No-one is forcing anyone to make a snap judgement on it.
Thanks Trapped, for sharing it. I have already passed it on to my own friends. A very interesting offering.
.... In my own recent thoughts on this matter generally, I have been wondering, if what God said to Eve, 'your husband will rule over you' could be extended to mean: the more powerful will rule over the weaker, power will dominate and exploit vulnerability in others, were opportune. The overall dynamic will be changed from strength nurturing the smaller, physically inferior party, to, strength will now take advantage, and prey on for its own benefit, at the cost of the weaker, subjected one or subjected group.
2 reasons I wonder about this:
1. There were only 2 humans at the time this change happened. At the time of 'the fall' where God's image became marred in his beings, and something of the nature of His opposite manifested, there were only two human beings. The expression of this dynamic could only at that time that it entered, relate to those two as there were no groups of people existing yet.
2. The propensity holds true that it is not just man that exploits woman, but it explains slavery, class systems, child abuse, and every exploitation of the poor or vulnerable or disadvantaged that has plagued our world ever since. And all such exploitation and abuse stands aside from every action, demonstration and teaching of Jesus.
So those are my ideas, to further confuse the whole discussion! I'm interested in the input of others. Feel free to comment!!
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