another thing that is really cool that fits into this topic is when Jesus spoke to the Samaritan women at the well. It's especially neat that he broke the social norm of Jews not speaking with Samaritans
An excellent piece. While I may disagree that it was Mary Magdalene who was the woman of ill repute (biblical scholarship is divided on that), your positive message here is vital for those who embrace the faith.
Thank you for this! As a female pastor, thank you for speaking truthfully about this subject. So many people waste breath using the Bible as a weapon against people…to silence others. You’re doing quite the opposite!🫶🏻
JESUS chose Mary n not Peter James n John to appear to as soon as HE arose also check out st. Photini (woman at the well) her story's more amazing than apostle Paul
Today, I wrote about the women caught in adultery in a different context. This post is so good! I love the thought that Jesus wrote, "Where's the man" in the sand.
God bless you for it. Too many women are suffering due to men and women who believe they can enslave other women and cast the first stone. Mary was the first evangelist and the apostles had to tell the truth about it. It was like when Mary annoyed Christ with oil and Jesus had to rebuke Judas and tell him she did a good thing when Judas made that about money. Keep rebuking them!
Agreed but it's one who dedicates their life to prayer. One can have an active prayer life without being solely focused on prayer and reflection like a monk or nun. Doesn't the new testament tell us to pray without ceasing and even the silent prayer be heard. I did not see where Jesus commanded her to do this and she was the one who was first to say he is risen. I wonder what prompted your response. I see you identify as a contemplative. So I think I understand now why you said that. God bless.
There are a few important things to note about understanding Paul that much of the Church chooses to ignore. The first is that if Scripture contradicts Scripture, it isn't. Either our understanding is faulty or the words are not inspired by the Holy Spirit. God is unchanging, he does not tempt us to sin, he gives wisdom freely to those who ask, and he certainly isn't going to trick us. If Paul says something that contradicts another thing he said, we need to understand why (ie. "There is neither male nor female in Christ" and "women should be silent in church").
As far as the issue of women in the Church, Paul's mentions of silence involves wives (the Greek word is the same) that should speak to their husbands instead of asking questions in Temple. Why? One simple answer is that the husband was seen as the spiritual leader of the family and showing ignorance in public might shame them. Better to encourage them privately to be more proactive in the faith at home.
As for the letter to Timothy about a certain group of women who were teaching falsehoods, that may very well have been meant for that specific circumstance (which we have no significant details on). In both cases, Paul is speaking to the tradition of the people involved, offering personal opinion on how to handle a tough situation (occurring in a culture now 2000 years gone).
He is NOT establishing lasting Church doctrine and certainly not speaking a commandment from the Lord. Every word of Paul is not a commandment, he even says as much ("I say and not the Lord…"), as well as rebuking others for following him and Apollos as disciples, and exclaiming that he determined to know nothing "except Jesus Christ and him crucified," (1 Cor 2:2).
Considering that Paul made extremely clear that the Law of Moses brings only death (2 Cor 3:7), I don't think he would want us taking his words and making them into The Law of Paul.
I actually love your commentary, I think that’s a great point, I mention something similar in another post. It’s the fault of many today’s churches pastors and some in the past also that turned Paul’s letters meant for specific situations into Law of God inside the church. In first few centuries there was a cult that followed Pauls teachings as closely as possible, as law of God, but they were not recognized by the church, today we can witness almost Paul worship in some churches.
I appreciate many Christian saints and their writing and what they did, I don’t think I’d put one over another.
Excellent thoughts. I often have the discussion about wives being 'submissive' to their husbands and what that means Biblically. Ahem. My only question- are we sure the adulterous woman was Mary of Magdalena? I know many speculate about that but I don't think it's a given.
Also, Gal 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." RSV
If there is one thing my many many years of private catholic school (all girls) taught me, it’s that we are supposed to met others with grace and acceptance. ALL OTHERS! Thank you, my friend!
another thing that is really cool that fits into this topic is when Jesus spoke to the Samaritan women at the well. It's especially neat that he broke the social norm of Jews not speaking with Samaritans
Yes, she later became a saint I believe
Love it! "Who is the Samaratin?" Is a great question. Whoever others in your scorn you to talk with, most likely.
"Just remember, if something contradicts Jesus, it’s a no go." Amen, brother!
Amen!
An excellent piece. While I may disagree that it was Mary Magdalene who was the woman of ill repute (biblical scholarship is divided on that), your positive message here is vital for those who embrace the faith.
Kudos, good sir.
Thanks a lot! And yes, very interesting to look deeper into it.
Yes. No reason to believe it was Mary Magdalene.
Thank you for this! As a female pastor, thank you for speaking truthfully about this subject. So many people waste breath using the Bible as a weapon against people…to silence others. You’re doing quite the opposite!🫶🏻
So happy about this comment, many blessings to you!
I think JESUS wrote the names of the pharisees that had sex with her
That’s the other one I was thinking, but I guess could also be “Who are the men?”, either of these would shock them quickly.
JESUS chose Mary n not Peter James n John to appear to as soon as HE arose also check out st. Photini (woman at the well) her story's more amazing than apostle Paul
Absolutely, I love finding people like you here, it’s been a blessing to see this.
Ty my brother
Amen brother
Errbody talk about JESUS! COME ON SOMEBODY!!!
Some of the greatest stories of faith were about women. The most prevalent was that of Ruth.
Women in the Old Testament were prophetesses and carried the word of God.
And yet, in today's world, women want to be men.
That is an issue with a certain group of people for sure, these people are loud, but are not a majority.
Today, I wrote about the women caught in adultery in a different context. This post is so good! I love the thought that Jesus wrote, "Where's the man" in the sand.
Thank you! Will read yours soon!
Thanks man. Didn't mean that to sound like a self-promotion :)
I love it, very grateful you told me, your article is amazing
100% agree with this, but what a stumbling block it seems to be.
"Simply keep in mind that Jesus is the Word of God."
Yes, seems so!
I'm not sure that Mary Magdalene was the one caught in adultery, my only nitpick of this essay but other than that this was a good essay.
Yes, not sure also, perhaps not, maybe we’ll only know in afterlife, not that it matters too much right
Thanks for your defence of women and their voices, Alexander.
Thank you for reading, I’m glad to contribute to the right cause and truth
Thank you for writing this. Please continue to lead with this teaching. 🙏
100%, must speak the truth.
God bless you for it. Too many women are suffering due to men and women who believe they can enslave other women and cast the first stone. Mary was the first evangelist and the apostles had to tell the truth about it. It was like when Mary annoyed Christ with oil and Jesus had to rebuke Judas and tell him she did a good thing when Judas made that about money. Keep rebuking them!
Another awesome example!
Mary M. Was the first Contemplative, IMHO.
Yes I'd say she was a nun.
You don't necessarily need to be a religious sister to be Contemplative, but many are.
Agreed but it's one who dedicates their life to prayer. One can have an active prayer life without being solely focused on prayer and reflection like a monk or nun. Doesn't the new testament tell us to pray without ceasing and even the silent prayer be heard. I did not see where Jesus commanded her to do this and she was the one who was first to say he is risen. I wonder what prompted your response. I see you identify as a contemplative. So I think I understand now why you said that. God bless.
Jesus's teaching that all are equal in the eyes of God laid the foundation for modern democracy.
100%, revolutionary!
Thank you for this.
Glad you liked it, I’ll make one soon that will compliment this one, talking about important women in Christianity in the last 1000 years.
Looking forward to reading it!
There are a few important things to note about understanding Paul that much of the Church chooses to ignore. The first is that if Scripture contradicts Scripture, it isn't. Either our understanding is faulty or the words are not inspired by the Holy Spirit. God is unchanging, he does not tempt us to sin, he gives wisdom freely to those who ask, and he certainly isn't going to trick us. If Paul says something that contradicts another thing he said, we need to understand why (ie. "There is neither male nor female in Christ" and "women should be silent in church").
As far as the issue of women in the Church, Paul's mentions of silence involves wives (the Greek word is the same) that should speak to their husbands instead of asking questions in Temple. Why? One simple answer is that the husband was seen as the spiritual leader of the family and showing ignorance in public might shame them. Better to encourage them privately to be more proactive in the faith at home.
As for the letter to Timothy about a certain group of women who were teaching falsehoods, that may very well have been meant for that specific circumstance (which we have no significant details on). In both cases, Paul is speaking to the tradition of the people involved, offering personal opinion on how to handle a tough situation (occurring in a culture now 2000 years gone).
He is NOT establishing lasting Church doctrine and certainly not speaking a commandment from the Lord. Every word of Paul is not a commandment, he even says as much ("I say and not the Lord…"), as well as rebuking others for following him and Apollos as disciples, and exclaiming that he determined to know nothing "except Jesus Christ and him crucified," (1 Cor 2:2).
Considering that Paul made extremely clear that the Law of Moses brings only death (2 Cor 3:7), I don't think he would want us taking his words and making them into The Law of Paul.
I actually love your commentary, I think that’s a great point, I mention something similar in another post. It’s the fault of many today’s churches pastors and some in the past also that turned Paul’s letters meant for specific situations into Law of God inside the church. In first few centuries there was a cult that followed Pauls teachings as closely as possible, as law of God, but they were not recognized by the church, today we can witness almost Paul worship in some churches.
I appreciate many Christian saints and their writing and what they did, I don’t think I’d put one over another.
Excellent thoughts. I often have the discussion about wives being 'submissive' to their husbands and what that means Biblically. Ahem. My only question- are we sure the adulterous woman was Mary of Magdalena? I know many speculate about that but I don't think it's a given.
Also, Gal 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." RSV
Yes, not sure, I think it was, but some scholars and people do not think so
If there is one thing my many many years of private catholic school (all girls) taught me, it’s that we are supposed to met others with grace and acceptance. ALL OTHERS! Thank you, my friend!
Absolutely! Btw, would love to know more about that school, will you write about it?
Just maybe!!
Let me know, haha, these stories fascinate me!