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The Biblical View of Women. The atheistic view of the biblical view:.
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The atheistic view of the biblical view: “Although the Bible is neither antiabortion nor pro-family, it does provide modern antiabortionists with a biblical basis for the real motivation behind their view: the Bible is not pro-life, but it is anti-woman. A patriarchal system cannot stand women who are free.” Dan Barker, Losing Faith in Faith, 1992, p. 212 “The Bible is a book by and for men. The women in it are secondary creatures and usually inferior.” Charles Templeton, Farewell to God, 1996, p. 177
The atheistic view of the biblical view: Richard Dawkins accused the God of the Bible of being “misogynistic.” The God Delusion, 2006, p. 31 “A consistent proof that religion is man-made and anthropomorphic can also be found in the fact that it is usually “man” made, in the sense of masculine, as well… The Old Testament, as Christians condescendingly call it, has woman cloned from man for his use and comfort. The New Testament has Saint Paul expressing both fear and contempt for the female.” Christopher Hitchens, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, 2007, p. 54
What is their point? The Bible presents an immoral code of ethics and is, therefore, not the product of a perfectly moral Creator.
Atheism has a problem. • Can the atheistic philosophy give us an objective standard by which to measure whether the Bible is sexist? NO!
Atheism has a problem. “The chief distinction in the intellectual powers of the two sexes is shown by man’s attaining to a higher eminence, in whatever he takes up, than can woman—whether requiring deep thought, reason, or imagination, or merely the use of the senses and hands.... [T]he average of mental power in man must be above that of woman.... [M]an has ultimately become superior to woman Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, 1871, pp. 873-874
Is their characterization accurate? • The Bible appraises the worth of women as equal to that of men. • The Bible teaches that men and women have different roles.
The personification of wisdom • Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. • Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with (it). • Job 28:12-19
The personification of wisdom • Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom has built herhouse. • Proverbs 8:1-2 Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill… • Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. cf. Proverbs 31:10-31
God’s attitude toward his people illustrated with traits of women God uses traits of people to illustrate His attitude: • His love for us as the love of a father for his children • 1 John 3:1-2 Isaiah 66:12 “For thus says the Lord…. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” 1 Thessalonians 2:7 he wrote: “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So affectionately longing for you.”
Women are made in the image of god • Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him, male and female he created them. • What about Genesis 2:18? Is a helper inherently inferior? • The Holy Spirit inferior to man? John 14:26 • Is Jesus inferior to us? • Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Worthy women in the bible • God used Deborah (Judges 4:1-5:7), in delivering Israel from Jabin king of Canaan. • God used Esther in delivering Israel from Haman’s plans (Esther). • Huldahthe prophetess , 2 Kings 22:13-15 • Ruth, Rahab, Lydia, Priscilla, Dorcas, Mary
different roles • Galatians 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 • Roles of men: • Be elders and deacons, 1 Timothy 3:1-13 • Lead in public worship, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:8-15 • Head of the household, Ephesians 5:22-24
Does this mean women are viewed as inferior? • Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, cf. Romans 13 • 1 Timothy 6:2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. Do these passages mean Christians are inferior to governing authorities or masters?
What about the responsibilities that go along with these roles? • Ephesians 5:25, 28 • 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. • Where are similar responsibilities given to women? Does this mean God hates men?
The truth • The Bible appraises the worth of women as equal to that of men. • The Bible teaches that men and women have different roles.
Obey the gospel tonight! • Believe – John 8:24 • Confess – Romans 10:10 • Repent – Luke 13:3 • Be Baptized – Mark 16:16 • Be Faithful – Revelation 2:10