Concordia Lutheran Church
Is Christianity Sexist?
One of the primary criticisms of Christianity is that people believe it degrades women. But the Scriptures and history paint a different people. This is a faith where all people find dignity as God’s creations and as children of God in Christ.
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Concordia Lutheran Church
16801 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78258, USA
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Galatians 3:26-29
6.5.2022
Series Intro Today, we’re going to deal with the question: Is Christianity sexist? This isn’t just a question ... but maybe a bit of an accusation. And its not totally unfounded.
“The woman, says the Law, is in all things inferior to the man. Let her accordingly be submissive.” (Josephus, Against Apion II 24)
“By acknowledging that such individuals are worthy of God, Christians manifestly show that they desire and are able to gain over only the silly, and the mean, and the stupid, with women and children.” (Celsus in Contra Celsus by Origen)
Galatians 3:26-29
6.5.2022
Series Intro Today, we’re going to deal with the question: Is Christianity sexist? This isn’t just a question ... but maybe a bit of an accusation. And its not totally unfounded.
“The woman, says the Law, is in all things inferior to the man. Let her accordingly be submissive.” (Josephus, Against Apion II 24)
“By acknowledging that such individuals are worthy of God, Christians manifestly show that they desire and are able to gain over only the silly, and the mean, and the stupid, with women and children.” (Celsus in Contra Celsus by Origen)
He is saying that when you’re “in Christ Jesus,” the way you view others and relate to them is completely reordered. All the distinctions that we use to determine superiority over other people – like men over women in the ancient world – disappear. I want to look at the ways being Christianity helped the world see women differently.
1. Christianity offers a different distinction.
1. Christianity offers a different distinction.
1. Christianity offers a different distinction.
2. Christianity offers us all dignity. Jesus upheld the value and dignity of all people, and did so in a very visible way with women.
2. Christianity offers us all dignity. Jesus upheld the value and dignity of all people, and did so in a very visible way with women.
And there are many other examples ...
Luke 15:8-10 (Parable of the Lost Coin) & Luke 15:11-32 (Parable of the Lost Son)
Luke 18:1-8 (Parable of the Persistent Widow) & Luke 18:9-14 (Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector)
When it comes to Jesus’ miracles…
Luke 4:33-35 (Man with an unclean spirit) & Luke 4:38-39 (Simon’s mother-in-law)
Luke 7:1-9 (Centurion’s son) & Luke 7:11-17 (Widow’s son)
Luke 8:26-39 (Demon-possessed man) & Luke 8:40-56 (Synagogue Ruler’s daughter and Bleeding Woman)
Luke 15:8-10 (Parable of the Lost Coin) & Luke 15:11-32 (Parable of the Lost Son)
Luke 18:1-8 (Parable of the Persistent Widow) & Luke 18:9-14 (Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector)
When it comes to Jesus’ miracles…
Luke 4:33-35 (Man with an unclean spirit) & Luke 4:38-39 (Simon’s mother-in-law)
Luke 7:1-9 (Centurion’s son) & Luke 7:11-17 (Widow’s son)
Luke 8:26-39 (Demon-possessed man) & Luke 8:40-56 (Synagogue Ruler’s daughter and Bleeding Woman)
1. Christianity offers a different distinction.
2. Christianity offers us all dignity.
3. Christianity gives us freedom. Sometimes, people misunderstand Paul in Galatians 3. They think he believes all distinctions should be erased. That’s not his point. He addresses this misunderstanding when he speaks of how, in Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile…” Galatians 3:28
2. Christianity offers us all dignity.
3. Christianity gives us freedom. Sometimes, people misunderstand Paul in Galatians 3. They think he believes all distinctions should be erased. That’s not his point. He addresses this misunderstanding when he speaks of how, in Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile…” Galatians 3:28
The question every woman and every man should ask is: How does Christ want to use me to bless others?
Not: What stereotypes do I need to live up to so people approve of me?
But: What advantages do I have that I can use to bless others?
There are so many different opinions and philosophies about who we should be as men and women and what it means to be a man or a woman. Christianity says, “Follow Jesus. Serve Jesus. And always know that you matter to Jesus!”
Not: What stereotypes do I need to live up to so people approve of me?
But: What advantages do I have that I can use to bless others?
There are so many different opinions and philosophies about who we should be as men and women and what it means to be a man or a woman. Christianity says, “Follow Jesus. Serve Jesus. And always know that you matter to Jesus!”