For the last few months, I have been reading a number of blogs dedicated to fighting the inequality of women in the home and church. Anti-patriarchy blogs. The writers themselves differ: from atheist to Southern Baptist. Though they disagree on theology and how to interpret the Bible, they agree on this issue:
Regardless of the lengths the feminist movement, birthed two hundred years ago has made, women are still in bondage to men. And people (both genders) use religion to keep them there.
I agree.
Now, before I get written off as a femi-nazi, let me make a few statements that may clarify, or may just confuse things more.
- I believe the writings of Paul (and the rest of the biblical authors) were inspired by God, hence the words reveal the will of God for the intended audience. It takes wisdom to understand the truths that transcend time and culture. And many wise folks will disagree.
- The church is in error when it places its position on gender roles on the same plateau as the gospel. It is the common case of over-balancing on an issue to take a stand against cultural wrongs. Yet, in the stand-taking, things go too far into practical and doctrinal error on said issue.
- My goal is to be conformed to be like Jesus Christ, who humbled himself and became like a servant, and yet defied erring religious norms and raised women out of their societal “place.” He beautifully balanced truth-telling with a gentle spirit. Can I?
- The dearest person to me on this earth is the man I promised to love and obey until I die. It is a promise I intend to keep, and not with my definition of those terms, but his.
- I’m sure, I will humbly change my mind many times before the truth is discovered in the face of God Himself.
And so, my confused thoughts on this topic will be clarified in Women in the Text. I hope!
Kay Bonikowsky 
I imagine much of the declared “women in bondage to men” argument could be addressed through the perspective of man pleasers rather than God pleasers. The fault can easily be placed on a woman’s desire to please “her man” rather than please God, with the excuse that if she pleases “her man” every time than she MUST be pleasing to God, even if what “her man” asks her to do directly disobeys God. How convenient and comforting it can become to blame someone else for our own disobedience to God, and how much easier it is to run from persecution (suffering for righteousness’ sake) in the home under the guise of submission and obedience to a man. “We ought to obey God rather than man,” is still in Scriptures–and I don’t believe it clarifies WHICH man.
But, of course, there is a method to that madness – can’t wait to read your blogs. I’ve been reading up on the ministry of WAR, International. Talk about bondage! Truly can make us American women thankful!
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great insight. i think its true.
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I agree with all of your bullet points, but I need clarification on what you mean by “in bondage to men”. Could you give practical examples? Do you feel like you’re in bondage to men (other than your husband)?
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I hope to give examples as I post on this topic: Women in the Text. I personally don’t believe I am in bondage, but that does not negate the fact that women are, and it would do good for them to hear truth and be free. Historically, it has been those who sympathize with those who need help, who do the emancipating, not the needy themselves. (Not that I view myself as any great writer or liberator, or anything like that. Just making the point that it doesn’t matter if I have experienced what I am writing against, for truth to be truth.)
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