Patriarchy & Complementarianism: Good or Evil?

from Google Images

From the very beginning of human history, the male of mankind has sought to control, defame and suppress the woman. Many religious leaders have pointed to the Genesis record and consistently blamed Eve for the Fall. However, it was actually Adam who set her up, because he lied to her, saying, if she touched the fruit, she would die! Moreover, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Adam touched the forbidden fruit to prove to the woman that touching wouldn’t kill her. We forget, sometimes, that Adam was with Eve, at her side, as she ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6). He neither forbade her from eating nor corrected her false understanding of what God had said about the trees in the garden. Was he encouraging her? The fact is, the New Covenant text actually points the finger at Adam, saying he, not the woman, is responsible for the Fall (Romans 5:12, 14, 17).

 

The Image and Glory of God

from Google Images

With all the problems mankind faces throughout the world, do you really think God is obsessed with a man’s or a woman’s haircut (1Corinthians 11:14-15) or the manner in which he or she combs their hair (1Timothy 2:9)? What issues do you think are important to God, as that applies to mankind? In a world where ‘trickle down economy’ ended as a cruel joke, do you really think God views the woman in the workplace, who is trying to feed, clothe and house her family, is a disgrace? What if she’s there, because she aspires to have a fulfilling vocation? Is that wrong? What’s important to God, when it comes to male/female relationships? Is it the same, as what the male of our species says is important? Are most men who believe a woman’s place is in the home sensitive to the heart of God?

 

Shouldn’t Women Be Silent in Church?

from Google Images

When seeking support for the patriarchal system of things, many folks will point to Paul, because that he told the Corinthians that women should be silent in the churches (1Corinthians 14:34). However, we need to remember that the Corinthian letter was written by Paul to correct many false practices occurring there in the local bodies of believers. There were divisions among them (1Corinthians 1:10-11). Some were no longer following Paul’s teachings (1Corinthaisn 4:16-18). Others were practicing immorality (1Corinthians 6:12-15). Still others didn’t believe Paul was an authentic Apostle of Christ (1Corinthians 9:1-2). So, we need to be careful concerning context and how we should read what he writes to the Corinthian church.

 

Jesus’ Burial

from Google Images

In John 19:38 we are introduced to a man named Joseph. He was from Arimathaea, which some conclude was ancient Ramah in Ephraim, the birthplace of Samuel (1Samuel 1:1, 21). Joseph was a disciple of the Lord, but a secret one, because he feared the Jewish authorities, namely, the Pharisees, would cast him out of the synagogues (cp. John 12:41-43), if his relationship to Jesus had become known.[1] To be cast out of the synagogues probably meant that one was cast out of Jewish society in general, and therefore excommunicated. So, by coming to Pilate and asking for Jesus’ body to bury, Joseph put himself at risk, in that he was a respected ruler, who had gone public in identifying himself with Jesus, whom the council had judged to be a criminal and a blasphemer.

 

The Charges Against Jesus

from Google Images

After finding Jesus guilty of blasphemy, a verdict requiring death under the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 24:16), the Sanhedrin, immediately, brought Jesus to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1; cf. 3:1), because, under Roman Law, the Jewish authorities had no right to execute anyone for a crime (John 18:31).