Category Archives: Christianity

Is the Bible Anti-women? Part 1

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There are many books, Bible studies and so forth on women that did things in the Bible. That’s not what I’m going to be doing here. I will posting twice, once from the Old Testament and once from the New, about why the people claiming the Bible was written by people in power to keep others under subjection are wrong. If you want to read about Queen Ester saving the Hebrews or Jael driving a tent stake through a guy’s head those articles/books/podcasts should be easy enough to find. We are starting in Genesis 2.

God formed Adam out of the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. I have written blog posts, preached sermons and including a chapter in my book on the creation of the man and woman. We could spend some time unpacking what it means that men and women – men and women – and created in God’s image according to Genesis 1. I want to look into Genesis 2 and highlight just one fact. In Genesis 2:18 God declared that it was not good for man to be alone. Adam lived in the perfect environment God created. At the end of the creation week, God looked at all that he had made and said that it was very good. Adam was placed in the garden to dress and keep it; before sin and the curse, he was given a task. He had a vocation but it did not involve “work” as it would after the fall. He was surrounded by animals that did not hunt each other or try to kill him. There was no war, no strife, no hunger, it did not rain. Adam was living the life. But he was alone, literally the only person in the world. And God said “It is not good…”

So men and women, I want you to dwell on this fact for a moment before we continue. God looked a world with no women in it and declared there needed to be one.

Now, as we continue reading Genesis 2:18, God said that he would make a helper fit for Adam. It would be easy to jump at those words and claim that the woman was created in a subordinate position. She was there to serve Adam by taking orders and making his life easier. They lived in literal paradise. Adam dressed a garden that did not grow weeds or thorns. But that doesn’t matter. Let’s examine the meaning of the original words and talk about their usage in other passages of scripture.

The ESV uses the word helper. The Hebrew word being translated it ‘ezer. Even though it’s translated as helper it does not mean an inferior subordinate. The word ‘ezer is used twice to describe Eve in Genesis 2. It is use a few times in the Old Testament to describe military allies in crisis. But the vast majority of the time, as many as 16 other occasions, it is used to describe God’s relationship to Israel as rescuer, protector and strength. God is neither inferior for subjegated to men so it cannot simply mean inferior helper. It is paired with the Hebrew word k’negdo which means suitable or fit. Modifying ‘ezer with k’negdo implies an equal match, face-to-face, of the same nature and status rather than a hierarchical assistant.

Once again, dwell on that thought for a moment before going on. Take a breath and think about it. If the Bible were written to keep people under subjection then these are poor word choices. Of course I will always argue the Bible was not written by men at all but is in fact the Word of God. It’s not about empires keeping their subjects under control or women in their place. It is written so that people who are fallen, sinful and broken can come into the presence of a Holy God that loves them.

Now you might think when we go to the New Testament that we’ll be looking at marriage texts in Ephesians or something. No, we are going to examine a passage much bolder than that.

Thoughts on Three Hebrew Children

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Daniel 3 tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar setting up a golden image, most likely made in his image, and three Hebrews who refused to bow down to it.

Two thoughts on the Hebrew Children cast into the fiery furnace in Daniel 3: While we know them collectively as the Hebrew Children by the names Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego, those were the names given to them by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Their Hebrew names were Hannaniah, Mishael and Azariah. We do not identify the Hebrew Children by their Hebrew names, those are not the ones that everybody knows. Let’s ignore the fact that they were not children either; that’s a whole other rabbit hole we could go down.

Here is the thought that matters, and may help you in times of trouble. In Daniel 3:25 Nebuchadnezzar says he can see four men walking around in the fire, and the image of the fourth is like a Son of God (or son of the gods depending on translation). The men are brought out of the furnace unharmed and the king declares there is no other god who can save in this way (v. 29). We don’t hear from Hannaniah, Mishael and Azariah again. They spoke to the king before going into the furnace but we never get a first hand account of their experience inside. But take a careful look at the text; we are never told that they could see the fourth man. Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth man, and noted his appearance, but only three went in and three came out. The Bible never says they saw another in the fire with them. They didn’t need to see him; Nebuchadnezzar did. They testified that if God wanted to he could save them from the furnace but if even if he did not, they would not bow down and worship the image. They had incredible faith that they were willing to die for. They did not need to see to believe.

The next time things look hopeless, the next time you feel alone, forsaken or forgotten… the next time things look impossible remember these three men of faith. They trusted in God’s provision even though they could not see him working. They did not see him inside the fire, but at least one person on the outside of the trial looking in did. You don’t need to see him if you know he’s there. And he will be there, staying closer than a brother. An ever-present help in time of trouble. Provider, protector, comforter, friend.

It was Always More than Israel

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I want to respond to this infographic in a way that is clearly thought out and well organized. During the incarnation, Jesus was an observant Jew. His chosen Apostles were Jews. They kept the Sabbath and the festivals and traveled to Jerusalem when required. But the spirit and intent behind making this image and sharing this particular information is misguided. This is from a person taking a very narrow view of the scripture and encouraging others to do the same.

Let’s begin with context. The verse quoted from Matthew 15 takes place between Jesus and a Cannanite (or Syro-phoennician) woman. It is a test of faith which she passes, leading to Jesus answering her request and healing her daughter. When I pointed this out to the original poster, or at least the person I saw post this on Facebook, the conditions and qualifiers came out. Her claim is that anytime Jesus did something for Gentiles it was as an example to Israel. This woman’s daughter was healed, and the centurion’s daughter was healed, yes because of their faith but more importantly as an example to Israel. They were merely object lessons, Jesus was not ministering to them. Examples are not ministry; at least that was the claim. Jesus marveled at the faith of the Roman centurion, commenting that he had not seen such faith in all of Israel. The verse from Mark is his account of the same conversation with the same woman. Jesus didn’t go throughout Israel telling them his ministry was only to Israel. The quote from Luke was just after the birth of John the Baptst, before Jesus was even born. The prophecy of Zechariah, John’s father, was more about the ministry of John the Baptist than of Jesus. And John 4:22 was Jesus’s conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. More on that in a bit.

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National Day of Prayer

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Today is the 75th National Day of Prayer. The theme is GLORIFY GOD AMONG THE NATIONS – SEEKING HIM IN ALL GENERATIONS. There will be a broadcast tonight from Statuary Hall in our nation’s capital streamed from the NDP website also available on YouTube, Facebook and several different Christian television and radio stations. You can download a Pray Across America Guide from that website. There are also events at churches and other public places throughout the day in every state.

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We Are Busy

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I posted this yesterday on Facebook but I want to share it here and then add a bit of additional commentary.

It’s easy to tell just by looking around that we are busier than ever before. We used to work a shift at the mill, all day on a farm, or keep business hours in the city, but even if you worked hard it ended and everyone went home. Now we take work with us and clients/customers/bosses expect to be able to reach us anytime. You can put in a full day, then continue making work calls on your dive home then check and reply to emails once at your house. (I’m going to pretend no one is readying email while driving but I know better.)

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Reading Leviticus

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Plenty of well meaning individuals have tried to read through the Bible by starting at Genesis 1 and going straight through. These attempts often correspond to New Year’s Resolutions, you know “new year, new you” kind of turning over new leaves. Many times, I can’t say always, but more often than not that person gets through Genesis and Exodus because those books are narrative. That’s the kind of story we are used to reading; there are characters and a plot. Sometime in the middle of February, about halfway through the book of Leviticus, plans to read through the Bible this year and this time I mean it fall by the wayside. Hopefully your Bible doesn’t get pushed up against the wall and covered with laundry like that new treadmill you bought – I mean, somebody bought – after Christmas.

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Checking Boxes

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I had a thought the other day and even though I was driving, I was nearly to my destination so I was able to write it down when I stopped. The ADHD I’ve always had, combined with turning 50 in a few months, means if I don’t write it down it either never happened or it’s never going to, depending on the situation.

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He Cannot Save Himself

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So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross and we will believe him.” Matthew 27:41-42 (ESV)

It has been a few years since I shared this poem. Attached is the live reading I did at Unity Baptist on Palm Sunday, April 13th.

He Cannot Save Himself
A poem for Good Friday

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Look at Jesus (pt 3)

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Word of mouth advertising is often more effective than any print, radio or television ad a company can purchase. If someone you know tells you about a restaurant with excellent food or an auto repair place with incredible customer service, that will influence your opinion more than a paid spokesperson or celebrity endorsement ever would. I bought a car from a local guy one time that had a sign in shop that said “If you are unsatisfied with the service you receive, tell us. If you are satisfied please tell someone else.” We are more likely to talk about a business or go online and write reviews about a product if we are unhappy. We just don’t take the time or exert the energy to share when things go exactly the way they are supposed to. A good endorsement goes a long way, especially from someone we know, which is why those are better than any money buy.

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Look at Jesus (pt 2)

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Read the first comment.

If you stare at an object for several seconds, particularly one that is brightly colored, when you look away you may see a residual image but in the opposite color. It doesn’t last long and the image fades away but for a moment whatever you see is affected by the thing you were looking at before. Sometimes perspectives change with age. Things that used to be punishments – staying at home, not going to a party, heading to bed early – are things you look forward to later in life. That happens to all (or most) of us as time goes by. Then there are dramatic life-changing events; a near death experience, a car accident or a long hospital stay that forces us to reconsider what is important. Ice cream may taste sweeter or the embrace of a loved one may be incredibly significant whereas before those things were just ordinary. Some events in life, for better or worse, profoundly change us.

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