Patriarchy + The Bible

It has taken me a few days to gather my thoughts after what happened to our sister, Beth Moore last week. I knew I wanted to give this topic more thought and prayer before dedicating an entire blog post to the dangers of patriarchy.

But I feel strongly that I must address this issue. There have to be more voices at the table. I know I'm just one in a long line of women who are out here fighting the good fight against patriarchal ideology, each one of us are called to live as new creation in Christ. And so the fight must continue. 

Generations (and more like centuries) of women have been silenced, seen as inferior, and controlled at the hands of men. Often using the Bible as an excuse. So what does the Bible actually say? What doesn't it say? Does it excuse patriarchy, encourage it, or dismiss it? I'm diving in. Lord, guide me.

To give some context, I will be using a few popular passages from the New Testament (from Paul)...that set up this idea that men are the ultimate authority. Then I will compare & contrast using 3 points to what God and Jesus say (which should be our ultimate authority...*wink wink*).

"Women should be silent during church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says."  -1 Corinthians 14:34-35

"And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is head of his wife as Christ is head of the church. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her." - Ephesians 5:21-25

"Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them." - 1 Timothy 2:11-12

Shew, I think I included all the important + popular passages. I hope you're still with me, I promise this is going to get good.  

These few passages have caused centuries of confusion, sorrow, and silence when it comes to how women should behave in church while also solidifying their place under their husbands in the home. 

Patriarchy is described as a 'system of society or government in which men hold the power (this continues through their male sons) and women are largely excluded from that power'. 

It is patrilineal, which means that property and title are inherited by the male lineage, usually the oldest son. Daughters are completely excluded from this and are in fact usually property themselves. 

So at first glance, one would come to the conclusion that the Bible supports patriarchy. Women are property, they aren't allowed to even speak during worship, and must be submissive. But I'm here to challenge that, well with the Bible. I'm laying out three points that MUST be considered when talking about daughters of the Most High.

1. Creation Before The Fall (basically, how did God intend His creation to work?)
2. Jesus' Kingdom (or empire for fun since His empire is in direct contrast to Rome)
3. The Law (meaning, what laws did 1st century Christians live under?)

When I turn to Genesis 1 & 2 and read about creation, I actually see the exact opposite of patriarchy. God makes human beings in His image. Meaning, we are now Image Bearers (it's okay to have goose bumps). He gave His blessing and told humans to rule + subdue everything He had created. No mention of ruling each other. 

In fact, God didn't consider his creation of man "good" until He created a corresponding helper. Oh ya'll. It's about to get good.

I've had to do some research (I'm a nerd at heart) but I believe this topic deserves our due diligence. 

Helper in Hebrew is "ezer". It occurs just 21 times in the Old Testament. Two are in reference to God creating Eve (or female). Three are in reference to Israel calling on powerful nations to help in battle. And sixteen reference God himself as our help. So Eve, or rather female is in pretty good company. Absolutely ZERO of these references suggest that "helper" is submissive, servant, or inferior. It's a word packed with power and authority. 

I love how Carolyn Curtis James puts it, "God created male & female as a holy alliance, it's a Kingdom strategy." Oh man, that's good isn't it? God created us to subdue + rule together. In fact, my Bible says man needed a corresponding helper. Corresponding means... "equivalent in character, form, or function". Equal.

 But patriarchy reduces women to babymakers and property. 

Let's jump to what Jesus says about His kingdom. I'm referencing Mark 9:33-39 here. Jesus presents an upside down kingdom (remember my reference to Rome?). In His kingdom, whoever wants to be first must take the role of servant. He goes on to use an example of children. Where did children fall in the pecking order? Dead last. It isn't because children are meek and innocent. It's because their last, and Jesus elevates them. In Mark 10, Jesus even boldly claims "Look, all you people who are greatest now (in this earthly kingdom), just wait...you will be least important in my kingdom. (this is the Cayla translation). I mean, Jesus doesn't play. He's laying it out to everyone. The 'last will be first' mentality is the exact opposite of patriarchy. 

**Also, just a side note...how many times does God bypass the older son in favor of the younger son? Umm, a lot. This is a huge theme in the OT. The story of Joseph quite possibly being the clear frontrunner. The weird dreamer kid who was trafficked into slavery by his older brothers ends up ruling over his entire family under Pharaoh. Talk about plot twist. That's like a big middle finger to patriarchy if I've ever seen one. 

Before, I lay out my third (and final) point, I have to talk about the fall. Because I know there will be people who say "But Cayla, what about sin and Genesis 3:16". The fall and introduction of sin actually sets up point three rather nicely. 

Genesis 3:16 can be frustrating at first read. "...but he will rule over you..." 

When I read this passage a few things jump out at me. First, I think we're seeing how what God intended has now been disrupted through sin + death. What Eve once yearned or desired for (God) has now turned to her husband (Adam), and now God is giving us a description for how people will behave (rule, dominate, control). I don't think God is laying this out as a good thing, but rather, this is how it will be. 

A few points to consider, should we reject an epidural at childbirth because we are bypassing what God intended? How about modern farming technology that makes farming easier and more comfortable? 

Which leads me to point three. The Law. Let's look at 1 Corinthians 14:34 again, "they should be submissive, just as the law says". We cannot just gloss over the reality of the situation here. To do so is a gross misuse of scripture.

The law (the government, IE Roman Empire) is perverted. Women are property of their husbands. Marriages were arranged. Women were limited in their speech. I mean, how many times did Jesus talk and touch women in public? If Jesus never said a word about His kingdom, His actions tell us enough. 

Patriarchy isn't how God intended us to live and he proved it by sending Jesus. We have to remember, the curse of sin was reversed through Jesus. We become new creations. We are called to reject sin in our lives. Christ set us free from the law of sin and death. How many more ways can I say this? 

 So we can debate what Paul has said until we're blue in our faces. We can fight, remain divided, and just stick our heads in the sand. Sure, we can blame sin, Eve, the fall...

But should we?

I believe a better use of our time and resources is creating a church where ALL voices have a place at the table. Where we understand that leadership is not rulership. Where we believe that God doesn't intend for any voice to be silenced. 

I love the way the Aramaic Bible translation gives us Philippians 2:12, "Therefore beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not when I am near to you only, but now when I am far from you, all the more with awe and trembling, do the service of your life."

Do the service of your life. Work out your salvation. 

Paul cannot give us all the answers. But Jesus can and did. Through his words and actions, He reminds us that patriarchy will have NO place in His kingdom. We should continue working to resist what we know is sin. 

I also cannot end this post without saying this...if you, beloved daughter of Jesus find yourself in an abusive, controlling relationship...you can leave. If this is you and you need guidance, please call 1-800-799-7233 (National Domestic Abuse hotline).

And if you find yourself in a church that tries to silence you as a woman, you can also leave. No one can take the title Image Bearer from you.