Women speak in Bible

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I think it is because few women besides the noble classes were allowed to learn to read and write - or learn in the temple with men so they didn't. I think just because it was a patriarchal society that by and large oppressed women does not mean this was meant to always be the way. Many other religious customs have changed, obviously. I see no reason why that shouldn't, too - and has in many denominations.

If there are no original biblical documents written by women (or haven't been found except significant bits of the Gospel of Mary Madeleine which isn't counted as biblical - maybe it should be? ) at least women can interpret the texts through our own eyes too and apply the best and leave the rest - IMO. Just like has always happened. I don't believe Jesus intended for the church to remain sexist. He had female followers - maybe they wrote things or not - maybe they were destroyed ages ago or not. Nevertheless, I think we should 'hang onto that which is good' as seen through the lens of our own times.
 
Not to mention there are many things written by women that I don't see why they should not be considered holy (as per John 21:25 even) if they are meaningful and helpful and inspiring.
 
And so what about John 21:25 - how would you identify all those other things Jesus did/ is doing, then if only the Bible is what is shaping our times? Wouldn't you be able to tell by the Spirit of what is written, if not in the Bible, if it resonated with you?
 
Kimmio said:
And so what about John 21:25 - how would you identify all those other things Jesus did/ is doing, then if only the Bible is what is shaping our times? Wouldn't you be able to tell by the Spirit of what is written, if not in the Bible, if it resonated with you?
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Some specific events in Jesus life are not given, but we can rest assured that Jesus always acted as the sinless Son of God. The Bible is not the sole thing shaping our times right now Cousin - not by a long shot. Things can "resonate" with me that have nothing to do with the will or the ways of God.
 
Pr. Jae said:
Some specific events in Jesus life are not given, but we can rest assured that Jesus always acted as the sinless Son of God. The Bible is not the sole thing shaping our times right now Cousin - not by a long shot. Things can "resonate" with me that have nothing to do with the will or the ways of God.
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How do you know if it is or not?
 
Pr. Jae said:
What makes you feel that maybe Paul didn't?
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I think Paul was a fallible human being just like everyone else, influenced by the culture of his own times and by desire for power - of a different sort than when he was Saul, but old habits die hard. Had he not had that power the bible would not have spread and lasted into the 21st century but now we can look at it through the lens of our own times.
 
Kimmio said:
Not to mention there are many things written by women that I don't see why they should not be considered holy (as per John 21:25 even) if they are meaningful and helpful and inspiring.
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absolutely , even the male writers in scripture write about the female aspect of God
 
Kimmio said:
I think Paul was a fallible human being just like everyone else, influenced by the culture of his own times and by desire for power - of a different sort than when he was Saul, but old habits die hard. Had he not had that power the bible would not have spread and lasted into the 21st century but now we can look at it through the lens of our own times.
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Okay Cousin, I agree, Paul was fallible. Fallibility affects different people in different ways. So again Cousin, why do you feel that Paul didn't believe in equality of the sexes? What evidence of that do you see in his writings?
 
Where the tapestry, or pall falls; is that an infallible gag order ... thus all the resonating light in the biblical tome ... is more or less infinitely oppressed by the stronger power!

In Freudian Theory beware of what will bust out of the hoers of night ... could be brilliant satyrs ... flaming deviates ... that spell differently ... what was previously phonetic zed was sized up in word ... or otherwise previously said and then forgot.

Constitutional institutions are hard to pass ... like chit!
 
Kimmio said:
What if there was a female prophet in those days - what would they have done to her? Don't you think she would have been silenced?
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Stoned, most likely. Women had to be kept in their place: pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen. Or else in the prone position in her husband's bed.
 
Operating on the assumption that the Bible contains the revelation of God, first to the people of Israel and later to those belonging to the Son do we expect God to:

a) speak from God's own context forcing humanity to come to grips with something alien or,
b) speak into human context and give humanity a leg up in the understanding department?

Presuming that God speaks in scripture do we expect God to:

a) speak as if all work has been completed even though there is still work to be done or,
b) speak of what will be even as we work towards what will be?

Presuming that God spoke at any one time in any one place do we:

a) expect God spoke as we want God to speak or,
b) accept that God spoke as God chose to speak?

The project mentioned in the opening post is an interesting project in that it lifts up the action and the activity of women. Does it give women their own voice or does it simply point to male authors speaking through the guise of women?

Is that a question that would be a concern to the original audience of is it a question that has become a concern at the close of the 20th century?

As we address the question who do we expect is in a position to answer it?

The conclusions we reach about the question are they informed by the witness we ask the question of or the ideas that support our individual biases?

I don't expect any of the Biblical text was authored by women. I don't expect that because the dominant culture in the time and place of writing was such that women tended not to learn the skills required. Did God speak directly to women. Scripture records that yes, God did speak directly to women. Was that common place? I expect it was as common as God speaking directly to men.

Scripture is not intended to be an exhaustive history of God's revealing of God's self.

Scripture is intended as a decidedly narrow narrative outlining God's interactions with the people of God.

Which means scripture may not be detailing God's typical interaction with humanity so much it may provide a view which examines the detail of God's atypical interaction.

When the Canon of Scripture is set it is set in a time and place where women tended not to have access to learn the skills thought to be essential for that conversation.

If Canon were to be set in this time and place would women be a part of that discussion? I expect some would be yes.

While women voices are not present as the authors of scripture or the arbiters of canon they do now, in this day and age, occupy the place where scriptures are interpreted. In essence they give us the benefit of their eyes as we examine the scriptures. At this level their gender may prejudice others against their work. If it didn't their particular Christian perspective would be enough to open them to rejection and/or ridicule.
 
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