Digging in Deeper: Exodus 22:16-17

“If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and he sleeps with her, he must certainly pay the bridal price for her to be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must pay an amount in silver equal to the bridal price for virgins.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

One of the charges that sometimes gets leveled against the character of God is that He is a misogynist. That is, that He hates women. This charge is absurd on numerous levels, of course. The whole modern concept that women should have equal rights as men came out of Christians examining the teachings of the Scriptures and insisting on their consistent application. No one worldview produced anything similar to what Christianity has given the world in this regard. What we see here gives us a glimpse of how God sought to build this assumption of equality into His people from the start. Let’s talk about what we see here.

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Digging in Deeper: Mark 15:40-41

“There were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women followed him and took care of him. Many other women had come up with him to Jerusalem.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

The church has a rough history when it comes to the position and treatment of women. Much of this is our own fault. We have too often taken our lead from a culture that has undervalued, underappreciated, and otherwise treated women terribly, and wrapped such harmful assumptions in a religious garb in order to sanctify them. Recent major revelations have shown we are far from rid of such sinful behavior. Where we have done this (and do it still), we have rightly taken our lumps from the world around us (even if such lump-giving is deeply hypocritical). But although we have perhaps done much to sully our own reputation, none of this has been in line with the ethic of Jesus. Let’s talk this morning about His position, that of the early church, and why the church should be the safest and best place for women in the world.

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Morning Musings: Proverbs 31:10

“An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

The Scriptures are often pegged as being anti-woman.  They create a world in which women are expected to be submissive to their men, serve their men, support their men, and basically go with and do whatever they say.  They are not to have any roles in the church, but are to be there and be silent.  They aren’t seen as leadership material at all either.  At least, that’s how the narrative often goes.  And then you actually read what it has to say… Read the rest…