Women who are strong leaders; women who choose their own place in the social hierarchy; women who are entrusted with power; women who instruct men. There are plenty of people today who would claim that these women are possessed (or infected) by the “Jezebel spirit” and need to return to their God-ordained place. For example, Rev. Doug Wilson, pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, and a self-identified “Christian Nationalist,” may not use the “Jezebel” label, but he has publicly called for the end of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote and has preached that the Biblical role for women is to “be the chief executive of the home with three or four or five eternal souls..” Despite Rev. Wilson’s theological training and Biblical knowledge, it seems that he has chosen to ignore the Biblical record regarding the diversity of roles that women have held in the church, mishandling the word of truth. .
So, let’s set the record straight. The Bible gives us multiple examples of women who do not live within Rev. Wilson’s definition of a woman’s “biblical role”, and it never accuses them of being “Jezebels.” These women are godly, wise, Holy Spirit-filled.
Mary of Bethany. Mary, a close friend of Jesus and sister of Lazarus and Martha, is probably best remembered for her act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume prior to his death–an act that received a lot of criticism from Judas Iscariot as being wasteful. But she is also remembered for another very inappropriate act–sitting at the feet of Jesus alongside the rest of the disciples to listen to his teaching. (Luke 10:38ff) It was Mary’s sister Martha that pointed out the unseemliness of her choice. Shouldn’t she be helping in the kitchen? Shouldn’t she be serving the food? Isn’t it improper to sit with the men? But Instead of reprimanding Mary, Jesus affirmed her, saying that she had “chosen what was better.” Jesus refused to prescribe the proper place for Mary (and for all women). He confirmed Mary’s equality with men and her right to choose her place. To hear some church leaders today, choice isn’t an option for women. Mary would have been sent to the kitchen to serve the men.
Mary of Magdala. Ever since Pope Gregory (6th Century) fused the identity of Mary Magdalene with the story of the anonymous “woman of sin” (aka a prostitute) who anointed Jesus’s feet while he was dining at a Pharisee’s home (Luke 7:36-37), Mary has been portrayed in art, books and movies as a former sex worker transformed by her relationship with Jesus. It’s a great story, but recent scholarship has suggested that she was more likely a strong, independent woman of economic status that followed Jesus and supported his ministry financially (Luke 8:2). What is fascinating is that Mary Magdalene is never identified in a relationship to a man (either her father or a husband)–something very unusual in Jesus’s day. Mary Magdalene was probably an unmarried female disciple of Jesus who supported his ministry, was present at his crucifixion, assisted with his burial, and was the first witness of the resurrection. Her testimony to the rest of the disciples has earned her the title, “Apostle to the Apostles.” Today, she would be silenced in many churches.
Priscilla. We first are introduced to Priscilla in Acts 18:2. She is married to a tent-maker named Aquila. They (along with other Jews) had been forced out of Rome by an imperial order of Claudius Caesar, and they resettled in Corinth where they welcomed the Apostle Paul–a fellow tent-maker–into their home. When Paul left Corinth for Ephesus, the couple joined him having become followers of the Way. While in Ephesus, the couple met a young preacher, Apollos, whose understanding of the gospel was incomplete. The couple took him into their home and instructed him more thoroughly in the Way of Jesus. What is fascinating is that throughout the narrative, Priscilla’s name precedes her husband’s name–indicating her prominence in the relationship. In fact, every scriptural reference to the couple but one follows that pattern–unusual in ancient cultures. Priscilla is recognized as a woman of strong faith and deep spiritual understanding who is qualified to teach and correct men–something she would not be permitted to do in many churches today.
Phoebe. When Paul finished his letter to the Romans, there was no mail service to deliver it to the church. Instead, it had to be hand-delivered by a trusted co-worker of Paul, introduced to us in Romans 16:1-2. Her name is Phoebe. Phoebe’s role as the letter carrier was much more than simply delivering an envelope. She would have also been responsible for representing Paul and his message to the Roman Christians. If members of the Roman church had questions after hearing the letter read, Phoebe would have been the only person in the room who could answer the questions, give additional explanations and clarify any confusion. In other words, Phoebe was the first to present a commentary on the Letter to the Romans. It is also instructive that Paul introduced Phoebe to the Roman church as “a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.” The greek word for ‘deacon’ can also be translated “servant” or “minister.” Early in church history, the word was used to designate a recognized leader in the church. Jen McNeel writes, “It’s not completely clear how much of this technical meaning the word had acquired at the time that Paul wrote the letter to the Romans, but it is clear that Phoebe is exercising some kind of leadership within the Christian community at Cenchreae. Elsewhere Paul applies the word to himself and to others who engage in the preaching and teaching ministry of the early church.” (see 1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 3:6, 6:4, 11:23; and Phil 1:1 for other examples). Phoebe is a recognized spiritual leader, a theologian, a teacher, and a trustworthy associate, entrusted with great responsibility by Paul. In many churches today, Phoebe would only be trusted to teach children.
There are others–Cloe, a church leader in Corinth; the daughters of Phillip, prophetesses; Junia, an apostle. Euodia and Syntyche, faithful co-laborers with Paul in Philippi. These women and others–some single, some married, some with children, some without–were not bound by the gender expectations of their time, but were freed by the Spirit of God to be equal partners in building up the body of Christ and announcing the kingdom of heaven. If God has ordained that women be free, who has the right to constrain them? The answer is: NO MAN.
Remember: the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not gendered. “All these [gifts] are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.” 1 Corinthians 12:11 (NRSV) “So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12:6b-8).
Can I get an ‘Amen!’?
Tongue on Fire 