Gender bias is hostile to Jesus Christ
When it comes to gender bias, we Christians have often been the most egregious offenders. It is time for us to change our behavior.
OVERVIEW
Women are fully the equal of men. There is no place in the Christian faith for the subordination of women to men. They stand equally before God.
However, for most of Christian history, Christian men have subjugated women and promoted untruthful stereotypes about women.
What should we look to for our model of right behavior? Certainly we should not look to our own history, for it will only show us evil behavior that was tolerated.
Nor should we we look to most Christians for a model of right behavior. In our day, many Christian movements claim to see men and women as equals.
However, at their church services, woman are required to sit around and be submissive to men. It is not biblical.
Rather, we should look anew to Jesus Christ. In him, there is no place for gender bias whatsoever.
The love and respect that Jesus had for all people was the hallmark of his ministry. He held women in high esteem. He never turned away a woman who approached him. When Jesus spoke one-on-one with a woman, there seems to have been an immediate bond.
And why not?
Jesus was willing to risk having a conversation with a woman, even though the prevailing customs forbade such a thing. The response from the woman, any woman, would most likely be to want to linger with him, to follow him, to learn from him, to pray with him, who knows, maybe even to dance with him!
Jesus was ministered to by many women. He was grateful and appreciative. He didn’t really care what others thought. He wasn’t held back by cultural norms.
Jesus was meek and humble and accepted the care and provisions offered by those he served.
When one loves another, there is always an exchange and more often than not, the exchange is beyond monetary gifts.
When food and shelter were offered to Jesus he most likely accepted, and those sharing received more than they gave.
BIBLE VERSES
Joel 2:29. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (NIV translation)
Judith 16:1. And Judith began to sing this song of thanksgiving in all Israel, and all the people sang with loud voices this song of praise.
Judith 16:6. The Almighty Lord brought them to nothing by the hand of a woman.
Acts 2:18. Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
Galatians 3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:21. subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
1 Peter 3:7. You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as also being joint heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
Elsewhere, paradoxically, Paul says men are the “heads” of women:
1 Corinthians 11:3. But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
And elsewhere, also paradoxically, Paul tells the women in Corinth to be silent in church:
1 Corinthians 14:34. Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says,
SEE ALSO
Female Prophets in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament era, God called five women to be authentic prophets to the world. The Jewish people accepted female prophets. But sadly Christians don’t.
Female Prophets in the New Testament. In the New Testament era, God called two women to be authentic prophets to the world. The early Christians accepted them. But sadly we don’t.
Gender bias is hostile to Jesus Christ. When it comes to gender bias, we Christians have often been the most egregious offenders. It is time for us to change our behavior.
A Female Deacon in the New Testament. Phoebe was a Deacon of the church at Cenchreae in Corinth. Paul introduces her as his chosen emissary to the Church in Rome.
THEOLOGY
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.