Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 5/2/2011

Question
Question 1)
The bible is often criticized by feminists for its representation of women, highlighting different aspects of inequality that are seemingly present within the scriptures. Is this criticism of the scriptures just, or does a feminist reading of the scriptures adopt and accept only one side of the biblical interpretation?
Question 2)
If this criticism of the scriptures is just, where is there evidence from the scriptures?

Answer
Thanks for writing, Morgan.  My thoughts on your questions:
Sinful humans have difficulty with the Bible's position for female worth being cherished, protected, and of equal value as males, but not dominating males nor dismissing males.  Instead, it's easier to go to the extreme of female value being less than males, or to the other extreme where males are irrelevant or to be dominated by females.
   To accomplish anything, there needs to be a chain of command, with ultimate responsibility at the head.  The Bible gives the husband the ultimate responsibility of the family (the foundational governing entity), I Peter 3, Eph.5, I Cor. 11, etc., but he is under God's command.  Gal.3:28 specifically mentions the equality of women, but the oneness of husband and wife that the Bible has as the standard from the beginning, elevated the status of women in past cultures and reins in the feminists of today.
   Our relationship with God is colored by our respect (or not) for our Creator's right to set the rules by which life can be lived best.  He is our Source for life and light (understanding as well as energy from the sun).  Our willingness to submit to God helps our willingness to submit to one another with God's love and strength, not relying on our own selfish agendas.
   Our most important submission is to read and live by our daily Bread, God's Word.  That's how we can fulfill our created purpose of reflecting His image, male and female. Gen.1:27
   Priscilla