FRIDAY, FEBRARY 17, 2023 SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023 SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS 

I have some spiritual thoughts that I’d like to write about - and I also am reluctant to write about them. A sizable portion of the New Testament was written by the Apostle Paul.  And, at times Paul’s writing does seem to be inspired, and at times it seems to be affected by the cultural norms of the time of his writing.  (Like “But women will be saved through childbearing”).

Paul (or the Apostle Paul) wrote:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.  I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.  For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.  But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety. 1 Timothy 2:11-15

 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 

But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is a man and the head of Christ is God.  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.  For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. 1 Corinthians 11:3-6

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 11:14-15

 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Ephesians 5:8-9

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Okay.  I sense that Paul has a “cultural side” to him.  Women in the first century were treated differently than women in the twenty-first century.  But, the verse at the top - “All Scripture is breathed out by God”.  So, do I resort to what the scriptures say (I must have my hair covered in a service), I must have a veil or a hat).  Cultural - or God-breathed.  

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If I go out on a limb and say some of Paul’s writings are not relevant today am I denying the concept that all scripture is “God Breathed”.  Am I going to be a “cafeteria Christian” - taking only what I believe and throwing the rest away?  

Am I a good enough Bible scholar to know what to keep and what not to keep?  

We (modern society / modern Judeo-Christian thought) have already done some thinking of Old Testament Scriptures.  What do we do to Deuteronomy 18:9 “And don't eat pork, since pigs have divided hooves, but they do not chew their cud. Don't even touch a dead pig!”.  No more bacon?  No more pork chops or pulled pork? 

[Aside - Moses was writing this to the Hebrews as they crossed the wilderness to the Promised Land.  The pork had a high probability of parasites.  “Three parasites pose a public health risk from the ingestion of raw or undercooked pork” (Gamble, 1997).  “ However, improvements in pork production systems in the past several decades, including high levels of biosecurity in confinement production systems, have also contributed to major reductions in the occurrence of this parasite in pigs and pork products.” (Gamble, 2022).  So, largely pork products don’t have the parasite problems that Moses warmed the Hebrews about]

So, what about women in modern Judeo-Christian thought?

My campus in Connecticut had a female rabbi; some Christian churches have female clergy; and even Catholic churches allow women to speak, read scriptures, and serve as Eucharistic ministers although they don’t allow women priests and don’t allow priests to marry.

A Pew Research paper in 2014 lists those American Religious groups that allow for female clergy 

But, how about Paul's comments in 1 Corinthians 14: “ Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak.  

My personal opinion lines up with many professional religious professionals that say “Yes, women can speak, lead, and be equal to men.” 

For Paul to write about the length of women's hair seems so counter-cultural these days.  Even negative.

The division point on women in churches seems to line up with common political and cultural norms - most conservative groups say “no women”, and most liberal groups say “yes women”.

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I will be back to this issue and similar religious thoughts in the future.

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, FEBRUARY 17, 2023