Bible Equity

Image via Wikipedia

So what is Bible Equity? Also known as Evangelical egalitarianism is the believe that while the genders might not be exactly the same, they are equal and should be represented as equals. Although there are a few shared beliefs with feminism, it isn’t the same. Biblical equality is grounded in the interpretation of the bible alone. Biblical equality affirms the gifts and callings are distributed without regard to gender and rejects that the bible grants men to spiritual authority and other privileges denied to women.

There are several verses throughout the bible that seem to state that women are lesser then men, yet proper interpretation of these verses brings a whole new light on the subject. Being with Adam and Eve and going through some of Paul’s statements in the new testament. Throughout the bible, women have been called to do a great many of God wishes. Men and women were created equal and have a equal part in the image of Christ. I will only touch a few hear for an explanation.

There are several verses which need to be looked at, beginning with Galatians 3:26-28. This text states directly that any person is considered one with Christ. Outside of these verses there are several other verses which state the same, but this one deserves attention. During that time, men were granted several privileges that women, slaves, and gentiles were not. This statement was bold due to it was stating something radically different then what was believed at the time.

Another text that needs to be looked at is 1 Timothy 2:11-15. Here it seems as though Paul is stating that women are to be in full submission and are not to do several things such as teach. Yet we have to look at this text considering the purpose of Paul’s writing it. It was written to tell Timothy how to deal with hearsay at the church. We know by other areas in the letter that there were false teacher teaching women false information and needed to be used as a temporary measure.

Next, Ephesians 5:21-33 states that wives are to submit to their husbands. While most of seen this as stating that men have authority, this is far from what Paul meant. Husband to be head of their wives, like Christ is for the church isn’t a ruler, but as a life-giving, self-giving love. Husbands need to love, nature, provide for, and sacrifice his own life, just as Christ did for the church. In return the church submits to the ministry and so wives submit to husbands. This is a case of mutual submission in order to become one.

There are many other text similar to the last two, which having more behind them then what meets the eye. While many used these texts to show where women stand, they are really not telling women they are lesser as those for bible equality talk about. For more information visit: www.cbeinternational.org