JCI Reflection Paper: Women’s Roles in the Faith Community

Throughout the years, women have both been in roles of leadership and roles of submission. In all three monotheistic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, women have important roles within the formation of the religions. They have been mother, daughters, leaders, and supporters. Without women, these faiths would not have progressed as far as they have.

In the Bible, we see God creating both man and woman. In this creation, man and woman are created equal until they disobey God. At this point, God tells woman that “her desire will be for her husband and [that] he will rule over her” (Gen 3:16). Woman was not all to blame and man was given punishment as well. While man was placed over his wife – God created the union of man and woman to be one that is shared in love and respect between the two. Men are programed to respect their wife – so God calls them to love their wives. Women are embedded with a need to love, so God tells them to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33).

With this, we see that men and women are made to love and respect each other. We see that men are supposed to lead women – but can God not use women? If God wants men and women to love and respect each other – then should a man listen and consider what their wife says? Should other men be able to respect what a woman says? And can a women guide, counsel, and lead men?

In each of the three religions, women have always had a high place. In the Old Testament, we are shown stories with women who helped shape the course of events in the history of Judaism – and this follows through with Christianity. We are shown Rebekah, Ruth and even Tamar – who take matters into their own hands. If it were not for these women, these three religions would be vastly different. This tradition of strong women continues into the New Testament with Mary and Elizabeth, who trusted God and gave birth to great men who would shape Christianity.

Were these women not allowed voices? Did they not lead in extraordinary ways? Did the men around these women think that they were not worth listening to, even though God was using them in ways he did not use the men?

When two people are joined in marriage – it is said that they are soul mates, that they are two parts of one whole, and that their union is for the glory of God. There’s also the belief that God created man in his image – and then that He made woman from a rib of man. If this is true, then weren’t both men and women made in God’s image – in God’s own being. This would mean, that while women are to be ruled over by their husbands, they are no lesser a creature. And there is evidence of God using women over and over in powerful ways that shape all we know in these three different religions – why wouldn’t God use women today?

This topic will forever be one that is up for debate – but the main worry in any of the three faiths is – is the message that God wants us to convey being done? If it’s a man who teaches others, that’s great – but women are just as in tune with God as men are. And if women are programed with the uncanny ability to love – then wouldn’t their teachings show the love of God in such a pure and natural way? First Corinthians 13 tells us that without love, any gifts and talents are as meaningless, and while faith, hope and love remain – love is the greatest of all.

Personally, I feel like women do have a place in the faith community as leaders. Yes, women should listen and obey to their husbands and fathers, but they should not be placed on a lesser status because of their sex. If God is unchanging – then He does not change his ways – and He is still very able to use women to shape the world and their faith communities, as He did thousands of years ago.

Advertisement