THE BIBLE-TEACHING MINISTRY OF CHARLES R. SWINDOLL
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According to one tongue-in-cheek definition, balance is that rare moment of stability we experience while swinging from one extreme to another. In many ways, this accurately describes the never-ending debate over the Bible’s view of women. On one extreme, the hyper-traditionalist says womanhood means “full surrender to your man,” capitulating to every whim of her often-selfish husband and calling it “biblical submission.” On the other extreme, the “radical feminist” speaks of female dominance, sounding more like a man-hater than an advocate for equality. Today, women and men are often confused about the biblical perspective on the value of women. In the scuffle, balance seems to have lost its calm-and-collected voice. Some time ago I set out to cut through the extremist propaganda and recapture Jesus’ vision for women. I pored over the pages of Scripture and took a fresh look. For those who keep hearing that the Bible puts down women, the reality may be surprising. Even shocking. Except for a few isolated instances, the women of Scripture were competent, secure, qualified people who had responsible roles to fill. They shaped biblical history and impacted God’s people. Let me show you some of the examples I found.
From our “emancipated” twenty-first century vantage point, Christ’s interactions with women may seem old-fashioned. But when we grasp the low estimation of women by the culture in New Testament times, we’re actually blown away by Christ’s almost radical position! Take Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. Chances are, if you or I had lived in that day, we might have written her off. But not Jesus. He didn’t worry one moment about living up to cultural expectations. Take a quick look at the reaction of the male disciples: “They were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, ‘What do You seek?’ or, ‘Why do You speak with her?’” (John 4:27). Though they may have gossiped about it later, none of those men had the guts to pit culture against Christ. Another startling encounter came after Jesus’ resurrection. Instead of barging in on an early-morning meeting of the Sanhedrin or blinding Pilate and Herod with His glory, the resurrected Lord first appeared to a handful of women. In our modern culture, we may fail to realize what a potentially disastrous PR move that was for early Christians claiming that Jesus rose from the dead. First-century men, steeped in cultural prejudices, did not regard women as reliable witnesses. But Christ cut through cultural norms! Though it was out of step with prevailing opinion, Christ chose to make His resurrection debut to women, not men. That made them the very first witnesses of the resurrection, sent to tell the cowering male disciples what they had seen and heard (Matthew 28:9–10). Even based on these brief biblical snapshots, anyone can see the significance of women in the life and ministry of Jesus. They occupied places of strategic importance. They enjoyed His attention, respect, and care. For me this underscores that God never intended for women to feel inferior or to live fearfully beneath some heavy cloud of unfair domination. In no way are women viewed as individuals lacking in worth or dignity. Yes, Scripture teaches order and cooperation in the home (Ephesians 5:21-33). Yes, the Bible affirms a mutual relationship of a wife’s submission and a godly husband’s self-sacrificial love (1 Peter 3:1). But too many Christians — men and women alike — have abandoned the balance portrayed in Scripture for an unbiblical and unhealthy extreme. Let’s get over our political, social, and personal agendas and allow Christ to serve as our model and motivation. When we do, we’ll start to understand Paul’s words in Galatians, his epistle of true freedom in Christ: “There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
About the author: Chuck Swindoll Chuck Swindoll