© 2005 The Earth Eden Project
What Paul Really Said about Women: An Apostle's Liberating Views on Equality in Marriage, Leadership, and Love : With Study Questions
John Temple Bristow
Paperback, February 1991
Price: $13.00
The Bible,when propery interpreted,teaches the equality of men and women of all racial and ethnic groups,all economic classes,and all age groups,based on the teachings of scripture as reflected in Galatins 3:28:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are ALL one in Christ Jesus.
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The Bible teaches the full equality of men and women and ALL races.(Gen 1:26-28,2:23,5:1-2; 1 Cor 11:11-12; Gal 3:13,28,5:1)
We believe that Scripture is to be interpreted holistically and thematically. We also recognized the necessity of making a distinction between inspiration and interpretation. To be truly Biblical, Christians must continually examine their faith and practice under the searchlight on scripture.
Bibical Truths
Creation
The Bible teaches that both man and woman of ALL races were created in God's image, had a direct relationship with God, and shared jointly the responsibilities of bearing and rearing children and having the joint share or responsibility of caring for creation (Gen 1:26-28).
The Bible teaches that both man and woman were created for full and equal partnership. The word "helper" (ezer), used to designate woman in Genesis 2:18,refers to God in most instances of Old Testament usage (e.g. 1 Sam 7:12;Ps 121;1-2). Consequently the word conveys no implication whatsoever of female subordination or inferiority.
The Bible teaches that the forming of woman from man demonstrates the unity and equality of human beings (Gen 2:21-23). In Genesis 2:18,20 the word "suitable"(kenegdo) denotes equality and adequacy.
The Bible teaches that man and woman were co-participants in the Fall: Adam was no less culpable than Eve(Gen 3:6;Rom 5:12-21; 1 Cor 15:21-22).
The Bible teaches that the rulership of Adam over Eve resulted from the Fall and was therefore NOT part of the original created plan and order. Genesis 3:16 is a prediction of the effects of the Fall rather than a prescription of God's idea order.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ came to redeem BOTH sexes and ALL races. Through faith in Christ we all become children of God, and heirs to the blessings of salvation without reference to racial, social, or gender distinctions (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-17; 2 Cor 5;17; Gal 3:26-28).
The Bible teaches that BOTH women and men of ALL races are called to develop their skills and talents and to use them as stewards of the grace of God (1 Peter 4:10-11). Both men and women of All races are divinely blessed and empowered to minister to the whole Body of Christ, Under His authority (Acts 1:14, 18:26, 21:9; Romans 16:1-7,12-13,15; phil 4:2-3; Col 4:15; see also Mark 15:40-41, 16;1-7; Luke 8:1-3; John 20:17-18; compare also Old Testament examples: Judges 4:4-14, 5:7;2 chron 34;22-28; Proverbs 31:30-31; Micah 6:4)
The Bible teaches that, in the New Testament economy, women as well as men exercise teaching functions (Acts 2:17-18, 219; 1 cor 11:5; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Rev 1:6, 5:10). Therefore, the few isolated texts that appear to restrict the full redemptive freedom of women must not be interpreted simplistically and in contradiction to the rest of Scripture, but their interpretation must take into account their relation to the broader teaching of Scripture and their total context (1 Cor 11:2-16, 14:33-36; 1 Tim 2:9-15).
The Bible defines the function of leadership as the empowerment of others for service rather than as the exercise of power over them( Matt 20;25-28, 23:8; Mark 10:42-45; John 13:13-17; Gal 5:13; 1 Peter 5:2-3). Family
The Bible teaches that husbands and wives are heirs together of the grace of life and they are bound together in a relationship of MUTUAL submission and responsibility (1 Coth 7:3-5; eph 5:21; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Gen 21:12). The husband's function as "head" (kephale)is to be understood as self-giving love and service within this relationship of MUTUAL submission (Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7).
The Bible teaches that both mothers and fathers are to exercise leadership in the nature, training, discipline and teaching of their children (Ex 20:12; Lev 19:3; De 6:6-9.21:18-21, 27:16; Prov 1:8, 6:20; Eph 6:1-4; Col 3:20; 2 Tim 1:5; see also luke 2:51).
Application
Community
In the community of faith both women and men are to be recognized, developed and used in serving and teaching on all levels of involvement. In so doing, the community of faith will model the unity and harmony that should characterize the community of believers. In a world fractured by discrimination and segregation, the community of faith will dissociate itself from UN-Christ-like devices designed to make women or other races feel inferior for being female or another color of skin. It will help prevent their departure from a believe in a personal God and his Son Christ and their faith in such.
Family
In the home, husband and wife shall defer to each other in seeking to fulfill each other's preferences, desires and aspirations. Neither spouse is to seek to dominate the other but each is to act in humanity considering each other. In a case of decisional deadlock they should seek resolution through Biblical methods of conflict resolution rather than by one spouse imposing a decision upon the other.
In so doing, the husband and wife will help the home stand against improper use of power and authority by spouses and will protect the home from wife and child abuse that sometimes tragically follows a hierarchical interpretation of the husband's "headship".
In the home, spouses shall learn to share the responsibilities of leadership on the basis of gifts, expertise, and availability, with due regard for the partner most effected by the decision under consideration.
In so doing, spouses will learn to respect their competencies and their complementary. This will prevent one spouse from becoming the perennial loser, often forced to practice ingratiating or deceitful manipulation to protect self-esteem. By establishing their marriage on a partnership basis, the couple will protect it from joining the tide of dead or broken marriages resulting from martial inequalities.
In the home, couples who share a lifestyle characterized by the freedom they find in Christ will do so without experiencing feelings of guilt or resorting to hypocrisy. They are freed to emerge from unchristian and unbiblical "traditionalism" and can rejoice in their mutual accountability in Christ. In so doing, they will openly express their obedience to Scripture, will model an example for other couples in quest of freedom in Christ, and will stand against patterns of domination and inequality sometimes imposed upon the community of faith and the family.
We believe that Biblical equality as reflected in this document is true to Scripture.
We stand united in our conviction that the Bible, in its TRUE totality, is the liberating Word that provides the most effective way for women and men to exercise the blessings distributed by the Holy Spirit and thus serve God.
For A Great Resource on Biblical Equality books, articles and worksheets for personal or group use write to The Biblical Equality Resource Center at:
They are NOT unitarian..but they do have great bibical resources on this subject!
Christians For Biblical Equality 122 W Franklin Ave, Suite 218 Minneapolis, MN 55404-2451
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