Generally, the Bible regards women as inferior to men. In this article, we will refer to the New Testament as some funny people try arguing that Jesus Christ liberated them from the Old Testament.
To start with, 1st Timothy 8:2-15 highlights the position of women in worshipping God. Verse 8 states,
“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”
The verse specifically mentions men and not women. The author directs men how to pray, but does not do the same for women. To the author, a man’s prayer is more meaningful than a woman’s. Verse 9 states,
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
The verse dictates how women are to dress. It prohibits elaborate hairstyles, including braided hair, wearing of jewelry, and wearing of expensive clothes. Regarding hairstyles, the Bible is quite specific, as it even discourages shaving and requires women to cover their heads. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 says,
“But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.7 A man ought not to cover his head,[a] since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man..”
And yes, the last part is outright; it says that the man is the image and glory of God while a woman is the glory of man. Christian feminists should read it aloud.
1st Timothy 8 continues demeaning women in verses 11 and 12, which state,
“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.”
Learning in quietness and full submission means that women are not to question men. They should obey orders as dictated to them without asking a question. The Bible is also direct when it asks women not to assume authority over men. As such, women are not permitted to teach men. In other words, the old book prohibits the existence of female teachers, and more so when their students are male. As if that is not discriminatory enough, the verse ends by requiring women to be quiet. The explanation for the overt discrimination is given in verses 13 and 14, which state,
“For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.”
The chapter is backed by an even more discriminative 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 which asserts,
“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”
In summary, Christian women should understand their position as the Bible dictates before campaigning for gender equality. The chapters are in the New Testament, meaning that people should not ignore them as they do with some chapters in the Old Testament arguing that Jesus Christ saved them from the older law. We can fool ourselves that the book is God’s word, but, lies won’t hold forever. At some point, we’ve got to accept the truth. It is the words of fellow men who lived in male chauvinistic societies. Hey, WAKE UP!
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