Q: How do we reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with a good and all-powerful God?
A: There are various ways to answer this question, and given its complexity, a detailed and comprehensive response is necessary.
Current Suffering: Firstly I want to ask, what is prompting this question? I ask this question because often people, including my past self, have asked this very question while going through hardship or seeing others go through hardship. Hardship makes it easy to question God's love and God's intent but you are not alone and there are others who understand your hurt. If you are currently experiencing suffering I recommend looking towards the Old Testament book of Job. Job was a wealthy and religious man who was tested by Satan with a series of disasters, including the loss of his children, his possessions, and his health. Despite the urging of his friends and his wife to curse God and die, Job maintains his faith and integrity, questioning the justice of his suffering but refusing to abandon his trust in God. In the end, God appears to Job in a storm and reveals his wisdom and power, challenging Job to acknowledge his limited understanding and to trust in God's justice and sovereignty. Job repents his earlier complaints and is restored to his former prosperity, thus demonstrating the value of persevering in faith in the face of suffering. The Apostle Paul is also a great example of suffering in the name of God as much of his writing was written while he was in prison and he was executed for his beliefs.
If you are Christian you should remember that suffering in the name of God is a good thing as you can see in Romans 5:3-5 or James 1:2-4. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." -James 1:2-4. Also, understand that God loves you: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16.
Free Will: From the beginning of the Bible, starting with Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, we know that humans have free will. With free will comes the opportunity to do good or evil. Some ask the question: "Why does God let evil exist?" or "Why doesn't God get rid of evil?" The short answer is, we wouldn't exist if he got rid of evil since all humans have the capacity to commit evil. Then some will ask "Why did God allow us to commit evil?" We come back to the idea of free will and the idea of love. Throughout the Bible, God states that he wants us to love him. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." - Deuteronomy 6:5. Without free will, our love for God would not be genuine because love without the ability to choose is not true love. Giving us free will is also how we are tested.
Satan and the Fallen Angels: God has allowed Satan to remain on earth until the final days. Why? Ultimately we don't know but God is clear that he has a plan for Satan and will punish him as written in Revelation 20:10. While Jesus was predicting his death he also explained this concept and further explained how Satan has power over the earth. Jesus stated in John 12:31 "Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world [Satan] will be driven out". Angels possess a varying degree of free will when compared to humans, however, it is established that they were initially given the opportunity to either adhere to or deviate from God. Utilizing this free will, certain angels decided to abandon God, thereby providing an additional explanation for the presence of evil.
Innocent Death: Innocent people dying or people suffering for seemingly no reason is difficult to experience. Every day you can find stories of young people dying or being stricken with disease, natural disasters, depression, suicide, and more. One of the most difficult sites is seeing a young child or baby suffering, but how does Christianity account for this? For babies or children, some Christians have coined the concept of the "age of accountability" that suggests God does not hold young children accountable for their sins, and thus go to heaven. This concept is based on passages such as Matthew 19:14 which states "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"
As mentioned in the "Current Suffering" section above, suffering can be a good thing when done in the name of God or for his plans. Additionally, Christians shouldn't fear death as they believe in heaven, and if they have lived a righteous life, then no death could be ultimately bad. This perspective helps to rationalize the occurrence of suffering or death. As an illustration, the city of Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed by God due to an excessive amount of sin, as God had a complete understanding of every person's heart and their ultimate fate after death. As the all-knowing creator, such a judgment call would be deemed just.
Difficult Questions
Q: Does the Bible endorse slavery?
A: Simply put, no.
Many that make the argument that the Bible endorses slavery will quote verses like Exodus 21:2-6, Deuteronomy 15:12-15, or Jeremiah 34:13-16 from the Old Testament or Ephesians 6:5-9, Colossians 4:1, or Philemon 1:15-16 from the New Testament. Depending on the translation of your Bible, these verses will either mention slaves or servants. Word-for-word translations of the Bible like the ESV mentions slaves while thought-for-thought versions like the NIV mentions servants. The NIV translates the word into servants due to today's meaning of slavery versus the meaning of slavery when the Bible was written.
From a historical perspective, slavery in Biblical times was similar to what modern society views as work or indentured servitude to pay off a debt. Slavery in Biblical times was not the same as the transatlantic slave trade that occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries. Ignoring this context can give the impression that the Bible endorses slavery because it did not call for its outright abolition. Ephesians 6:5 instructs slaves to obey their masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as they would obey Christ. However, in modern times, this passage can be understood as Paul urging workers to obey their bosses or managers and treat them with respect. Additionally, Paul emphasizes that this should be done not only when the boss is watching, but at all times as if serving God. The concept of service to others is pervasive throughout the Bible, further highlighting why these verses are not endorsing slavery. Paul also writes in Ephesians 6:9, "And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him." In Biblical times, some slave owners took advantage of their workers or treated them poorly, similar to how some modern managers or bosses may abuse their power.
Christians also played a significant role in the movement to abolish slavery. William Wilberforce, a devout Christian, led the effort to abolish slavery in the British Empire, which was achieved in 1833. He and other Christians appealed to the moral conscience of their fellow citizens and used biblical arguments to make their case. Many abolitionists in the United States also used biblical arguments and saw slavery as a sin and a moral evil that needed to be eradicated. Some prominent Christian abolitionists included Harriet Beecher Stowe, Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass.
Q: Are all acts of sin equal?
A: No, but why do so many Christians believe this?
Firstly, everyone has sinned, and all sin separates us from God. If we look at verses from Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." or Colossians 1:21 "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior." it is clear that all sin separates us from God and all sin is harmful. But does that make all sin equal?
The Informed vs. Uninformed or Believers vs. Non-Believers: In Luke 12:35-48, Jesus is teaching his disciples about the importance of being ready for his return. He tells them a parable about a master who goes away on a journey and leaves his servants in charge of his household. The servants who are found to be faithful and doing the master's will when he returns are rewarded, while the unfaithful servants are punished. Luke 12:47-48 states '"The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."' Jesus is emphasizing the importance of obedience to God and that those who know what God expects of them and do not obey will be held more accountable than those who are ignorant of God's will. This clarifies that those who are aware of God's will and sin will face greater punishment than those who are not, indicating that sin is not equal in this regard. Luke chapter 12 also highlights the importance of intention versus outcome. An easy non-Biblical example of this is manslaughter versus murder and how our current judicial system punishes these acts differently.
Old Testament Punishments for Sin: Exodus 31:14-15 God states "'Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death."' Here we can see that there are sins according to the Old Testament that are punishable by death. In Exodus 22:4 states "If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession - whether ox or donkey or sheep - they must pay back double." Here we see that the punishment for theft, in the Old Testament, is paying double for what you stole. But, in Exodus 22:1 the punishment for theft and killing the animal must pay five times what the animal was worth. When we compare passages like Exodus 31:14-15, Exodus 22:4, and Exodus 22:1 we see that there are different punishments for different sins. Then we must ask why God would assign varying punishments to different sins if all sin was considered equal. If you want to review other passages, please read Exodus 21:22-25 and Deuteronomy 25:1-3 from the Old Testament that gives judges involvement in punishment and scrutiny to make rulings.
Quality vs Quantity of Sin: To use a non-Biblical example, think about how you would feel about two people's sin. Person A murders one person. Person B steals a pencil, a candy bar, and socks. While person B committed three sins, logically we know person A is in a much more sinful state. We know this is not due to the quantity of sin, but the quality of sin committed. While this is a non-Biblical example, I think this helps lay the grounds for reading 1 Kings 16:25 "But Omri did evil in the eyes of the LORD and sinned more than all those before him." 1 Kings 16:26 goes on to express the anger of God, not by the quantity of sin but by the quality of sin due to the practice of idolatry. Another example of this concept can be found in Jeremiah 7:24-26. These examples are presented to demonstrate that the Bible acknowledges the varying degrees of sin, emphasizing that the quality of sin is also significant in addition to its quantity.
New Testament Continuation: Hebrews 10:28-29 states "Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?" This verse illustrates how rejecting the Mosaic law can result in the death penalty, but rejecting Jesus Christ leads to eternal condemnation.
In John chapter 19 Jesus was sentenced to be crucified. Pilate, the Roman governor, asks Jesus where he is from. When Jesus does not answer, Pilate gets frustrated and asks, "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" -John 19:10. Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." -John 19:11. This verse is significant because it conveys Jesus' statement that Judas, along with possibly the Pharisees, committed a greater sin by betraying him than Pilate did by ordering his crucifixion.
Contradictory Verses: James 2:10 states "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." This statement may be initially interpreted as a proclamation that all sin is equal, but upon closer examination, this is not the case. When James writes that breaking one law is breaking all laws, he means laws as a totality, not individually. In James 2:11 James writes "If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker." Focus on the idea of being a lawbreaker in the holistic sense. James is emphasizing that committing one act of murder makes a person a lawbreaker, but it does not logically follow that being a murderer also makes them an adulterer. As stated above, all sin separates us from God and labels us a "lawbreaker", but that does not mean all sin is equal. This does not imply that some sins are "small" because any form of sin is a violation of God's will and should be treated with gravity.
Q: Does God prescribe gender roles?
A: In writing this summary, multiple translations (ex: NIV, ESV, KJV, NASB) were utilized to maintain intellectual integrity, particularly when dealing with potentially controversial terminology in the Bible due to cultural sensitivities. It's essential to keep in mind that, when seeking understanding from the Bible, our focus should be on discerning God's message rather than fixating on what may or may not be deemed controversial. As Christians, we have a responsibility to maintain God’s instruction outside of human culture (Romans 12:2). The quotes presented below are derived from the NIV translation, but it’s crucial to emphasize that all translations used in this analysis communicate consistent meanings.
Additionally, this analysis focuses on the distinctions between men and women in various roles. While both men and women share substantial Biblical responsibilities to God, this explanation does not define what constitutes a good Christian. Instead, it serves as a guide to help both men and women navigate different scenarios in their Christian journey. Two conflicting theological perspectives regarding this concept is the egalitarian vs complementarian perspective. Egalitarians believe in the equal worth and opportunity of men and women in all aspects of life, including church leadership and marriage, while complementarians argue for distinct, complementary roles for men and women, often emphasizing male leadership in the church and a hierarchical structure in marriage, based on their interpretation of certain biblical passages. While I do want to introduce both of these perspectives, my goal is not to defend one or the other but rather to find the truth in God’s instruction.
First Creation
The book of Genesis gives us insight into God’s original intention for man and woman before we fell into sin. "So God created mankind in his 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.'" – Genesis 1:27-28. God created men and women in his image, affirming their equal value. Men and women are jointly responsible for multiplying and being stewards of the earth.
In Genesis 2, we gain insight into God's original plan for creation before the occurrence of the first sin. "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" – Genesis 2:18. This verse reveals that God intended distinct roles even before the fall. Genesis 3:16-19 tells us the punishment for that sin. “To the woman he said, ‘I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.’ – Genesis 3:16. While women were already capable of childbirth and helpers to man (Genesis 2:18), these become more painful. Childbearing became physically painful, and being a helper to man became emotionally painful as both men and women could now engage in wrongdoing, including emotional and physical abuse, infidelity, abandonment, and many more wrongdoings. Before the original sin, pain did not exist in the relationship, mirroring the relationship between the Father and the Son. In Genesis 3:16-19, it becomes clear that men were initially entrusted with the responsibilities of labor and providing, but now, those are now painful, mirroring the consequences detailed for women in verse 16.
Under Parents The Parents’ Roof vs. Married
Under The Parents' Roof
Children’s Role – "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'" – Ephesians 6:1-3. These verses provide instruction for children to honor and obey both their mother and their father. This same sentiment is found in Colossians 3:30. Proverbs 1:8-9 provides a similar sentiment but is a father telling his son to listen to his mother by explaining the honor, respect, and value bestowed to children who listen to their parents’ wisdom.
Parents’ Role - "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." - Ephesians 6:4. This verse, and similarly Proverbs 22:6, instructs parents to provide guidance, teaching, and care for their children.
"He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)" - 1 Timothy 3:4-5. In this verse, Paul advises that a potential church leader, which in this case is a father figure, must first demonstrate effective management of their own family, ensuring that their children obey them and maintaining an atmosphere worthy of respect.
"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." – Isaiah 66:13. In this verse, God portrays His own comforting and nurturing qualities by comparing them to those of a mother.
The Bible has, in the Old Testament and the New Testament, fathers as the head of the household (Ephesians 5:23), spiritual leaders (Joshua 24:15), protectors and providers (1 Timothy 5:8), and discipline and instruction (Proverbs 22:6). Mothers were the child bearers and nurturers (Genesis 3:20), teachers (Proverbs 1:8), support and encouragement (Isaiah 66:13), and household managers (Proverbs 31:27). We can find numerous Biblical figures who serve as examples of fathers, including Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and many others. Similarly, Biblical mothers such as Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Hanna, Mary, Elizabeth, and more offer noteworthy examples. However, when examining these Biblical figures, it's essential to approach their actions, marital interactions, and non-gender-specific deeds with discernment, distinguishing between the positive and negative aspects. The roles outlined in the Bible do not assign inherent value to each gender; rather, they delineate the distinct characteristics, roles, and responsibilities expected of each gender.
Married
This section will introduce the different roles in marriage and the transition of couples from their parents' household to their own, but the sections below regarding Biblical husbands and Wives will cover the roles in more depth.
"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." – Genesis 2:24. This sentiment is restated in Matthew 19:6 and Ephesians 5:31. In Biblical times, children lived with their parents until they were married, unlike today (at least in the western world). This is an important note because the act of leaving your father and mother was much different than today’s culture where after high school the children often leave their parents’ household.
"He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD." - Proverbs 18:22. This verse explains that a husband who finds a good wife is blessed with a precious gift from God. We can further extrapolate, that both husband and wife should continue to cherish one another throughout their lives together since they are gifts from God to each other.
"But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband." - 1 Corinthians 7:2. While the Apostle Paul was writing 1 Corinthians, one topic he was addressing was the issue of sexual immorality and marital relationships in the Corinthian church. Corinth was a city known for its loose sexual morals, and some within the Christian community were likely struggling with sexual temptations and immorality. Paul emphasized the importance of sexual relations while married and encouraged husbands and wives to fulfill each other’s sexual needs. Expanding on this notion, 1 Corinthians 7:5 advises married couples against prolonged separation from one another, except by mutual agreement and only for a brief period dedicated to prayer, ensuring they do not succumb to temptation.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. While this verse is not specific to marriage it can be used in a marital context, love towards your neighbor, the love of Christ, and the love of God. In the marital context, loving your spouse means you are patient, kind, shun jealousy, humble, honor one another, forgiving, truthful, protective, trusting, and hopeful.
Biblical Wives
Helper
In the First Creation section, we looked at Genesis 2:18, telling us that God made woman as a helper to man. This verse needs to be read in the context of Adam and Eve, who were husband and wife, and not to be mistaken for all women being a helper to all men. Next, we can look at other verses to help define what it means to be a helper in a Biblical context.
• "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" – Hebrews 13:6. This verse provides us an example where God is referred to as a helper by the author (who is unknown but possibly Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, or others.).
• “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26. In other translations of the Bible, like the ESV, “Advocate” is translated to “Helper”.
Building upon these verses, we see explicit references to both the Father and the Holy Spirit as "helpers," and it's not a far-reaching notion to also regard Jesus in a similar light. When we examine these verses alongside passages such as 1 Peter 5:6, we gain a deeper understanding that the term "helper" does not imply any diminished human value. "Helper" is precisely defined as someone who assists, reflecting the inherent meaning of the word.
What does the role of “helper” entail? Consider Proverbs 31:10-31, where King Solomon describes the characteristics of a noble-hearted wife. This woman is characterized as trustworthy, good to her husband, hardworking, manages her house well, skillful, provides for her family, caring and compassionate to those in need, strong and acts with dignity, wise, kind, fears the Lord, and tells men to honor her for what she does.
Submissive
Being submissive and a helper are similar if not the same, but the Bible uses them in slightly different contexts. "Submitting to one another out of reverence of Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." – Ephesians 5:22-24. The sentiment regarding submissiveness is also reflected in Titus 2:3-5, Colossians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 11:3, and 1 Peter 3:1-2. Depending on your Bible translation, “submissive”/”submit” can be translated to “obedient” or “subject” for each of the previous verses.
What does "submissive," "subject," or "obedient" mean in the Biblical context? Ephesians 5:22-24 emphasizes mutual submission between both parties and that the entire church is called to submit to Christ. Hebrews 13:7 encourages confidence in leaders and submission to their authority, particularly those who play a significant role in teaching and sharing God's Word; this principle can extend to contemporary church leaders. James 4:7 instructs believers to submit themselves to God. Titus 3:1 reminds people to be subject or submissive to rulers and authorities.
Taking these verses into account, we can assert that husbands are placed in positions of leadership, with wives called to submit to their husbands. However, this submission does not imply blindly following poor leadership, especially when it contradicts God's Word. It is crucial to remember that everyone, regardless of their role, must ultimately submit to God and the church. Additionally, the submissive role or helper role of wives does not extend to all men in society, it is explicitly to a husband.
These verses are not a call for men, including husbands, to constantly assert themselves as leaders in every situation or demand unwavering submission from their wives. God's guidance for husbands and wives is rooted in mutual love and understanding, rather than creating an environment of constant vigilance over hierarchical roles. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, not for husbands to demand submission from their wives which can lead to oppression or abuse. This distinction can be explained as a wife telling the husband “I always want input in our lives, but I am going to let you make the final decision.” The wife submitting in this case is not due to oppression by the husband, but rather the woman having faith in the husband’s leadership.
For women, there may be times when a husband suggests a different course of action or when he believe there's a better path. Women mustn't interpret this as permission to publicly criticize or belittle their husbands. Instead, in private, wives have the right to express their perspectives and question the direction their husband is proposing. In a healthy and loving relationship, these principles should come naturally to both men and women. Further details on a man's responsibilities are explained in the Men and Husband sections.
Godly Women in Society
Women’s childbirth is a fundamental difference between men and women. "To the woman he said, 'I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.'" – Genesis 3:16. The Bible doesn’t outline exactly what the roles of men and women would be but the most blatant difference is the miracle of childbirth.
Women should prioritize modesty and virtue over flashy attire. "I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." – 1 Timothy 2:9-10. This passage, and 1 Peter 3:3-4, can be difficult to interpret because how do you define modest or flashy attire? While I am going to keep this passage in the Godly Women section, this concept applies to men as well but may be slightly different in practice. While reading this passage we have to ask ourselves why God would want us to dress modestly and not wear flashy clothing, which both derive from the heart. Clear examples of wrongdoing regarding clothing are showing others what should only be seen by your husband or wife, seeking praise from others, knowingly causing others to fall into sin, or possibly distracting others in Church service. Depending on the culture or even the setting (wedding vs. the beach), each may call for different attire, but again, look into your heart when deciding your attire.
Biblical Husbands
Loving and Leading
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." – Ephesians 5:25-28. The Apostle Paul wrote these verses in the greater context of unity and maturity in Christ, instructions for living as a Christian, and instructions for Christian households. In these verses, men are called to emulate the sacrificial love of Christ by making significant sacrifices for the sake of their wives’ welfare. The husband making his wife holy, cleansing her with the word, and presenting her without blemish, are instructions to the husband to actively contribute to their wives’ spiritual growth and moral purity for her to be presented before God in a state of spiritual purity. Lastly, husbands are called to love their wives as they would love and care for their well-being.
Compassionate and Protector
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." – 1 Peter 3:7. In his letter to both Gentiles and Jewish Christians, the Apostle Peter addresses the challenges of living as a Christian within a predominantly pagan society. In chapters two and three, Peter writes on this subject and briefly writes about the responsibilities in marriage. In 1 Peter 3:7, Peter writes “in the same way” as a reference to his aforementioned verses directed at wives. Being considerate requires husbands to be understanding, compassionate, and thoughtful. Demonstrating respect for your wife is a simple acknowledgment of the inherent physical distinctions between men and women. This recognition serves as a reminder for husbands to refrain from causing harm and, instead, to fulfill their role as protectors. Lastly, Paul’s guidance emphasizes that nurturing a loving and healthy relationship with one's wife is directly linked to nurturing a strong relationship with God, ensuring that nothing hinders one's prayers.
Godly Men in Society
The specific characteristics of men, outside of being a good Christian, are more difficult to pinpoint outside of verses that primarily address fatherly or husbandly roles, as previously discussed. This challenge arises from the predominant use of male pronouns as the default descriptors in the Bible. In contrast, when the Bible references females, it offers explicit context about the intended audience or subject of the passage. With this in mind, we can draw upon a handful of passages where conversations occurred between two men. In 1 Timothy 6:11, Paul tells Timothy "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." While this verse is insightful, it can also be used for Christians as a whole. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul tells Timothy "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." This verse can also be addressed to Christians as a whole but does outline a more traditionally courageous and strong sentiment that is also echoed in the husband section above. Finally, in Titus 2:7-8 Paul tells Titus "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." In this passage, Paul is telling Titus to keep his teaching above criticism and provides a segway into the next topic of church leaders, who can hold different leadership positions, and the possible gender differences in leadership.
Church Roles
While this section will discuss men's role in the church, there will be a large focus on women given the fact that men’s roles are not contested and we have vast examples of men in each role of the church. To start the analysis, we can look at the highest positions of authority in the church. The Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 describes qualifications to be a bishop, lead pastor, elder, or overseer. (depending on your denomination). This passage provides the following qualifications: blameless, husband to one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, non-violent, not a lover of money, manages his family well, not a recent convert, good reputation, and “he must manage his family well” (mirroring a husband’s duty). Bishops, lead pastors, elders, and overseers have a higher level of authority and expectation than a deacon. A key aspect of Paul's writing is his emphasis on men in these roles, aligning with the historical convention of male predominance in the representation and leadership of churches. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 raises the question of whether women are permitted to engage in preaching/teaching, prophesying, or occupy leadership positions – which we will now explore.
"Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church." - 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. The Apostle Paul wrote a similar message in 1 Timothy 2:11-12. The first note of importance with this passage is its widespread debate, even within Christian circles. However, as with any literary analysis, it's crucial not to base your conclusions solely on a single verse or passage. Instead, one should carefully consider the broader historical, cultural, and Biblical context to arrive at a well-informed interpretation of what Paul was trying to convey. At the time Paul was writing these passages, gender roles were very strict in that era, with distinct societal expectations placed upon men and women. Some people thought that women at this time were uneducated but as we will see later in this section, women can be just as or more educated than some men.
With this in mind, we can begin to address the questions above. The question of whether women can be prophets or teach is easily addressed. The Gospel of Luke in chapter 2:36-38 mentions Anna who served as a prophet. Luke, in Acts 21:8-9, describes his arrival at Philip’s house and describes Philip’s four daughters who prophesied. Acts 18:25-26 describes Priscilla and her husband Aquila teaching Apollos “the way of God more adequately”. Apollos was also noted to be knowledgeable in his theology but only knew what John the Baptist taught, which gives more weight to Priscilla's teaching of Apollos. Priscilla was not only teaching a man, but a man well-educated on the topic. Even the Old Testament has women prophets as seen in Exodus 15:20-21 and Judges 4:4. These verses show that women can be prophets and teach, so what was Paul talking about? Looking again at the context of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Paul, in chapter 14, was discussing talking in tongues, prophesying, and how to judge the validity and weight of both. Paul was not simply telling women not to speak, but rather telling women that they cannot judge a prophecy. Looking at a few verses before 1 Corinthians 14:29, Paul writes "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said." Judging prophecies was set aside for those with appointed authority and known sound doctrine, which we know as the bishop, lead pastor, elder, or overseer. This is confirmed in Titus 1:9 when Paul instructs Titus how to appoint an elder: "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." As a final note regarding wives asking their husbands’ questions at home, this verse is not only inclusive of wives but all women. Scholars believe that Paul was simply operating under the cultural assumption that all women were either married or still under the authority of their parents.
As stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, only men are mentioned to be qualified to hold the positions of bishop, lead pastor, elder, or overseer in the church, which is also reflected in Titus 1:5-9. There are also no examples in the Bible that note a woman with these titles. Women can hold the title of deacon or servant (depending on the translation used), as seen in Romans 16:1-2 when describing Phoebe, but this title likely did not hold the authority to judge a prophecy. The only reference in the Bible to a woman judging in any capacity is in Judges 4:4 “Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.” While one could use this verse to extrapolate women being able to judge a prophecy, it would put a lot of weight on one verse or one woman at one point in time. This concept may also contradict the more submissive role of women. While this is more of a marital submissive role, it begs the question: If a husband prophesies in front of the church and his wife judges his prophecy to hold no weight, does this align with God’s intention behind the marital structure? What if the wife is a lead pastor and the husband is a deacon? Does this align with God’s intentions? Additionally, God has historically hand-picked men to hold the highest positions of leadership such as Noah, Abraham, David, Moses, the 12 Apostles, and Jesus.
Some egalitarians attempt to contextualize Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 as being directed at specific women during a particular period. An initial question arises: why does Paul express a similar sentiment in 1 Timothy 2:11-12? If we wave that concern away by stating that Paul addressed two comparable groups facing similar situations, we can then return to the argument that the responsibility of assessing prophecy rests with elders, as they are tasked with upholding doctrine, and that the position of elder is typically held by men. Another egalitarian argument is the assertion that Priscilla's instruction of Apollo in Acts 18:25-26 serves as evidence of her holding an elder role because she was imparting doctrinal knowledge. However, Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, took Apollo aside for this instruction. In this context, they were not acting as official institutional representatives or authorities of the church, so this passage does not conclusively establish Priscilla as an elder. A complementarian effort to dismiss Priscilla's role due to her husband, Aquila, being present does not carry weight for two reasons. First, the order of their names is contextually significant. In Acts, Priscilla's name is mentioned first, likely indicating her primary role in instructing Apollo, while in other instances like 1 Corinthians 16:19, Aquila's name appears first to emphasize his role as the head of the household. Secondly, it's essential to consider historical norms, where men and women were typically not meant to be alone outside of the context of marriage. In Acts 18:25-26, it was culturally necessary for Aquila to accompany Priscilla, adhering to societal norms surrounding interactions between men and women, particularly since Priscilla was married. While it seems apparent to myself that there are distinct roles for men and women in the church, the most compelling egalitarian interpretations, at best, introduce uncertainty regarding whether women can serve as elders. It appears problematic to impose personal beliefs onto scripture in cases where ambiguity exists. Instead, when we examine the broader context of other verses and strive to maintain consistency with the gender roles established in other contexts by God, the conclusion that women may not hold the position of elder becomes more plausible.
To expand on the earlier conversation regarding clothing, are women instructed to wear head coverings in church and have long hair, and are men called to not wear head coverings and have short hair? "Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved." - 1 Corinthians 11:4-5. “Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.” – 1 Corinthians 11:13-15. Firstly, these verses stand somewhat distinct from others in the Bible, as there are no direct parallels to each. Second, Paul was only speaking to men and women wearing head coverings while praying, worshiping, or prophesying. Paul likely gave this instruction to the church of Corinth due to the cultural distinction head coverings provided concerning gender roles. We can infer this because Paul was discussing gender roles in the passages surrounding these. Historically, head coverings were worn by women until the twentieth century when they were targeted by a feminist movement due to their symbolism of gender roles. At this time, I would argue that women should not have stopped wearing head coverings to not give in to cultural norms (Romans 12:2). In today’s Western culture, I would argue that women would not need to wear head coverings since most people wouldn’t see a gender distinction from wearing or not wearing them. Ultimately, look into your heart when deciding whether to wear a head covering. Ask yourself if you are trying to get attention or differentiate yourself from other people in the church, if you are trying to “stick it to the man”, or if you think it will make you feel closer to God. In the first two scenarios, I would advise you not to wear the head covering, but in the third scenario, I would argue that you should.
Overall, the interpretation that women should be completely silent in church is not consistent with other Biblical references. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 cannot be used to say women cannot openly learn about God. This passage was strictly discussing women talking during the judgment of prophecies. The Bible also provides many examples in the Old and New Testaments of women openly teaching others, including men. The Bible does have different gender roles within the church, but that is not to say women cannot speak, teach, prophecy, or lead in any capacity. The only roles women cannot hold within the church are a bishop, lead pastor, elder, and overseer.
Conclusion
From the moment of creation, God purposefully designed men and women with distinct yet equally valuable roles. For Christians, adhering to these God-given roles is essential for maintaining harmonious households and churches. When one party fulfills their biblical responsibilities while the other does not, it can lead to familial or communal discord. Husbands and wives must jointly focus on their Christian duties, echoing God's original intention as seen in Genesis. If you are not married, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7:8, says it can be good to stay unmarried. Other passages like 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 and Matthew 19:11-12 reflect and expand on the concept of being single and how it can bring glory to God, just as being married might. Regardless of if you’re married or single, the ultimate goal is to love and obey God.
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." – Galatians 3:28. While Galatians 3:28 underscores the equality of men and women in Christ, it doesn't negate their unique roles. Lastly, I want to address the oppressive patriarchal systems that have disfavored women throughout most of history. While I understand why, it is disheartening to see Biblical scholars and non-scholars alike try to wave away Biblical gender roles because of this oppression. Above we saw how the first sin of humans made our lives potentially more painful, not only because of the first sin, but the continuance of sin. Sin should not be used to destroy the gender roles God has put into place, but rather a call to get rid of sin as much as we can as humans. In today's culture, "patriarchy" has acquired a negative connotation for valid reasons, but its strict denotation refers to a hierarchical system where men hold positions of higher authority. If God created these roles and instructed us to abide by them, should we have a negative reaction to patriarchy outside of limiting sin? Embracing these truths can be challenging, but as Christians, we are called to fully understand, believe, support, and celebrate God's Word. "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" – Psalm 119:103.