Question: .

I am from Indonesia. I want to learn about my Jesus more from the Bible. One question for you: Is there anything in the Bible saying about how women are valued for men? It seems that women are obligated with many things -- such as to be wise, humble, serving and obeying their husbands, but the Bible is not mentioning what men should do for their women. Is that right? According to the Bible are men the king and women the assistant to them?

Thank you so much for your reply!

God Bless You!

Agnes

Answer:

Dear Agnes,

The approach to, and treatment of women to which you have reference is more cultural than it is biblical. Cultural norms are often applied to the Bible with the result being people "finding" their preferences in the Bible.

It is true that the old covenant would seem to imply much more of a male dominated society and value -- but there are passages within the Old Testament that give the idea that male and female are equal in the sight of God.

The New Testament however, is very clear -- and in specific the teaching and example of Jesus -- in affirming women as equals and not chattel property or slaves. At the same time we remember that slavery itself was not directly challenged by Christianity at large for well over 1,000 years later -- and in some respects the treatment of women has been similar. There are many passages to which I would refer -- I think of Galatians 3:28 -- "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

I think of Ephesians 5 -- and the well-known passage about wives and husbands (vs. 21-33) -- which begins, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." The gospel of Luke is a wonderful book to study, as Luke pays particular attention to the plight and status of women in first century Jewish culture, and Jesus' revolutionary response to it, affirming women and their worth.

I hope this will give you something to think about and help you.

May God bless you.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht