Doctrines (posted Monday, May 14 2007)

One major change in the transition from Judaism to Christianity was the treatment of women. In ancient times, women were often marginalized and treated as property, but beginning with the ministry of Jesus, women were elevated to hold equal position and opportunity with all men in Him.

What does the New Testament have to say about women?

What can women do under Grace?

After the ministry of Jesus Christ revealed the offer of salvation to all through His work, many things changed for women from the ways of the Law. The most important of these is equal standing before God. Women believers are part of the body of Christ just as much as male believers, and have all of the rights and privileges thereof.

- 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

- Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

- 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

- 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Furthermore, certain rights which were previously forbidden for women are now specifically given or implied by New Testament scripture. For example, women now have the same rights to divorce as men and are subject to the same restrictions.

- Mark 10:11-12 He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."

- 1 Corinthians 7:10-11,15-16 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. [...] But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

In addition, the wife has sexual rights to the husband, just as the husband has to the wife. A woman in this age of Grace is not just an object for pleasing the man or for child bearing.

- 1 Corinthians 7:2-4 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.

- 1 COrinthians 7:32-34 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs - how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world - how he can please his wife - and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how she can please her husband.

What restrictions are women under?

Although equal opportunity and equal standing before God has been given to women, there are still certain rules for women in certain authority relationships. First, the headship of the marriage still belongs to the husband.

- 1 Peter 3:1-2 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

Secondly, a woman is not allowed to act as pastor in a church.

- 1 Timothy 2:11-14 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.

Thus, the only Christian restrictions under which women live have to do with authority in the church and in the family. No other rules apply based on gender. The Bible indicates that this is an illustration of authority to the angels: just as the Church submits to the head, Christ, so the wife submits to the head, the husband.

- 1 Corinthians 11:8-10 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.

- Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Why is this important?

Therefore, as full members of the Christian priesthood, women are expected to be active examples of modest, reasonable living as men. Certain instructions are given for this end that they may fully live a life glorifying to God, as an example to the unsaved of the world.

- Titus 2:3-5 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

- 1 Peter 3:3-6 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Some theologians opine that there may be a special reward in Heaven for women who submit to unruly and unloving husbands with a gentle spirit, just as there are special rewards for Christians who are martyred for their submission to Christ.

- James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

In any case, there will be no rules of this type for Christian women in either the Millenial Kingdom or forever in Heaven, perhaps because the full understanding of authority and submission will have been taught to the angels. Maybe this is part of angelic reconciliation to God.

- Matthew 22:30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

- Revelation 20:16 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

- Revelation 22:5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Therefore, a Christian woman must submit to her husband if she is married and must not pastor a church. Otherwise, she has no restrictions because of gender, and the full privilege and opportunity of the Christian life is hers for the living.