Does God Really View Women as “Less” Than Men?
Photo by Candice Picard
This subject is dear to my heart.
Revealing God’s great love, helping my sisters in Christ find healing, teaching freedom for hearts that are bound up and fearful—these are all part of my calling, and I have strong hope in this area.
Last spring I had the privilege of taking a college class focused on women in ministry. Taught by Dr. Wayne Mancari, this class confirmed many studies and much research I’d done about women over the years. It was wonderful to hear Dr. Wayne talk about things that have been in my heart for so long.
I greatly admire men who encourage women to be seen the way Jesus sees them. Here are a few things we can learn from Scripture about God’s heart for women.
God Doesn’t Separate People According to Gender
Several verses in Scripture say women are supposed to be silent in church, which implies a woman is not allowed to teach, minister, or even expand the Kingdom of God through teaching the good news of Jesus.
BUT it also says that just as God doesn’t separate us according to bloodline (Jew or Gentile), He doesn’t separate us according to gender:
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:26–29 NIV)
Many people struggle with gender these days, asking questions previous generations never could have predicted. But look at the great love of God—we are all one in Christ Jesus. What beauty and what mystery.
If we belong to Christ, we are heirs according to the promise.
Women Are a Sign of God’s Favor
Proverbs 18:22 is one of my favorite verses for the ministry God has given me:
He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the Lord.
If the Bible views women as God’s favor to men—as well as co-equals with men (we are all “one” in Jesus)—then women are also called to teach and declare the good news of Jesus Christ.
Women Carry the Same Biblical Calling as Men
Jesus died on the cross and was raised to life again in part to return to the woman the dignity her heavenly Father gave her at the beginning of creation:
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Gen. 1:27–28 NIV)
God created Eve to have a voice, to rule, and to subdue just like Adam. The calling spoken over the two of them at the beginning was the same calling—it was not separated according to gender. God didn’t say, “This is for Adam only, and this part over here is only for Eve.”
Women didn’t begin to be treated as second-class citizens—at times even as slaves—until after the fall, when sin was introduced into the world God created.
Ancient Cultures Restricted Women
In his recent blog article titled, “4 Reasons Why Women Are Oppressed in the Church (and Why It’s Not Okay),” Kris Vallotton wrote:
Why does Paul write to nine different churches or church leaders, but only restrict women in three locations? Why does Paul empower women in some places and limit them in others? I’d like to propose that the cultural context of the letters which restrict women is the key to understanding Paul’s instructions.
In Greek and Jewish cultures, women didn’t have any value at all. They were considered the property of men. In fact, one rabbi living around 90 AD wrote, “Who teaches the Torah to his daughter teaches her debauchery.” That’s just a glimpse into the cultural context of the apostle Paul’s writings.
In Kris Vallotton’s opinion, here’s one of the key reasons we see women oppressed by certain parts of the church today:
The devil hates women even more than he hates men because the curse that God pronounced over the SERPENT was that women would be hostile with the devil. Therefore, the spearhead of demonic warfare is focused on women.
Makes you think, doesn’t it?
God Desires Freedom for His Kids, Not Bondage
Jesus came to give women back their dignity—to undo the curse of the fall and welcome all the Father’s children home.
Here are just a few other places that reveal His heart in Scripture:
Deborah’s story in Judges 4–5
Mary’s story, where she chose to be with Jesus instead of helping in the kitchen (Luke 10:38–42)
The wine story, where Jesus changed His plan because of His mother (John 2:1–8)
The Samaritan woman’s story in John 4
Honestly, I feel Scripture is clear in how God has always wanted women to be an active part of His plan for the Kingdom. Not to be trapped in silence, but to speak in love and honor and expand His Kingdom the way He desires.
It is good to read Scripture as a whole and not take a handful of verses out of context. When we read God’s Word in its entirety, we can see a clearer picture of His heart.
Abundant Life Found in Jesus
Jesus came to bring life more abundant, while the enemy is the one who steals, kills, and destroys.
I would suggest that true “abundant life” can be found only in situations where people are encouraged to jump into God’s extravagant love for them and not hold back, believing they aren’t good enough.
Interested in reading more about dating, relationships, and your walk with God? Here are a few articles on related topics:
For more information on sex, marriage, and finding the person who is right for you, get a copy of Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more.
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