lesson three
What to make of Old Testament pasages?

• read the narration column first
• then do the exercises

Exercise 1

From your personal experience as a woman in the 21st century, how far do you feel society has overcome the 'myth' of male superiority?
Give examples from your own life.

1. Women were ‘second-class’ in the Old Testament

We may not in any way appeal to the Old Testament to decide the question as to whether women may be admitted to holy orders or not. The reason is that the ministry introduced by Jesus is an entirely new reality, responding to the new requirements in the Kingdom of God which he proclaimed.

However, the Old Testament religion was the ambient within which, and in contrast to which, Jesus preached the Good News. It is necessary, therefore, to become aware of the position held by women in Old Testament society.

Though some Old Testament women are shown in leadership roles, such as the Judge Deborah (Judges 4,1-5,31), the prophetess Huldah (2 Kings 22,14-20), Judith and Esther (see the books named after them), and other women, this was an exception. In general, men predominated both in society and in religion.

Jesus cured the sick on the Sabbath in spite Old Testament law that seemed to prohibit it (Luke 13,10-17)

Exercise 2

Have you experienced the residues of a ‘negative Christian heritage' regarding body, sexuality, marriage, when being a woman?

2. Male domination

Much has been written on why men seem to have had the upperhand in most human societies known to us. There are varying theories about this. Read these introductory readings which have no other purpose in our course than to make you aware of the wider background:

• The social perception of male superiority
• The rise of male social dominance

It is important for our study to note that this male predominance was a reality in Old Testament society. It pervaded the home, economics, warfare, govenment, social responsibilities and all aspects of religion. Read Male Dominance in the Old Testament.

A typical example of ‘patriarchal prejudice’ against women can be found in texts of Sirach.

Read also: ‘The Perennial Problem of Sin’, in Taking off the Patriarchal Glasses, Kim Pathways, 1987, pp 97-116.

Exercise 3

• Make a search of images of Eve in western art, architecture or poetry, which might reinforce your perceptions.
• Explore further the implications of such negative residues for the Christian interpretation of New testament texts.

3. Every woman was looked upon as ‘another Eve’ - Readings

Some Old Testament passages had a lasting influence on Christian writers. The texts that described the social position of Eve and her relationship to Adam belong to this category. Please, study the following readings:

• The two creation stories in Genesis themselves
  
  
• ‘The Separation from Nature and the Loss of the Feminine Aspect of Spirit’, by Anne Baring
  
  
• ‘The Myth of the Fall and the Doctrine of Original Sin’, by Anne Baring
  
  
• ‘Eve: the Mother of All Living’, by Anne Baring and Jules Cashford
  
  
• ‘Eve in Christian Culture’, by Anne Baring and Jules Cashford