Nothing confirms my understanding of fallen humanity quite as well as observing the flawed interactions between women and men.
We see an early allusion to this dynamic in Genesis. And from history we understand that women’s lives have often been circumscribed to suit male preferences. It has always been, and still is, culturally and socially acceptable to bind women through culture, religion, or society’s expectation to suit the convenience of others and to punish them harshly for any actual or perceived deviation.
Women serve a special function in society. We are the originators and bearers of sin and suffering. No matter the religious tradition. The culture. The era, or geography. Women are deemed to be of lesser status. Their work to be the lesser work. Worth nothing in some cultures and little in others. When men stray, we are blamed. When our children fail, we are blamed. And ourselves? We are not allowed nearly the same latitude for failure.
Women have existed and continue to exist behind a veil of shame. A tangible veil in some cultures. In others, an intangible covering of expectations and demands.
The veil is torn
Yet the gospel of Luke offers us an evocative picture of God tearing the veil between Himself and humanity. No longer must we approach God tentatively, our spiritual business conducted once a year through male priests. Now because of Christ, we approach freely, made righteous through Jesus Christ.
Yet no sooner than Christ ascends, and Acts concludes, we see the beginning of the end. At least for women. A quick transition from an early, Spirit-filled church in which all were welcome to a hierarchical institution that sidelines all women. Sometimes, as argued by Martin Luther it is because we are inherently unfit. Other times it was wondered whether we had a soul to save. Or that perhaps we could be saved by the good work of childbirth. Today most conservative theologians have yielded these points. Women do have a soul, but God intended female submission all along they argue. Regardless of the premise, the outcome is the same.
Women sidelined. Allowed to do whatever is permitted by men with power.
Did nothing change?
What does it mean when we see this same pattern in every society, every civilization, every culture, every revolution, religion, and organization?
What are the odds that the exclusion and marginalization of women is just so right that everyone just does it? That Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and non-believers all happen to believe and embrace the same practices?
What should we think when we see the Christian church adopting the same patterns as the world? Surely, the church and the world cannot be right in this one thing. How can it be possible that the world and church walk in one accord in the sublimation of women?
Is it really possible that in spite of the cross, the redemption of womanhood seems to be beyond its reach?
A Fateful Choice
One of my favorite women pastors, Quaker Lucretia Mott said as she was called to public ministry:
“I felt called to a more public life of devotion to duty, and engaged in the ministry in our Society, receiving every encouragement from those in authority, until a separation among us, in 1827, when my convictions led me to adhere to the sufficiency of the light within us, resting on truth as authority, rather than ‘taking authority for truth.”
Let’s be clear.
We often refer to the Bible as “the” Word of God, but the Apostle John calls Jesus the Word. I think he’s right. Don’t you?
This is of course, not to denigrate Scripture. Or the Bible as we know it. Paul says it “is useful for doctrine”. But we must be careful here. The only authority that matters is Jesus. And if we’re to find and walk in freedom, we must know this.
And here are the facts, every time Jesus interacted with women, He freed them. He liberated them. He liberated us.
So, you and I have a decision to make. We can live and walk in bondage. Or we can live and walk in freedom.
Which will you choose?
