Women of the Bible...

Bat'Ur · Little Guppy Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

Is anyone reading it, by Spangler & Syswerda? It's well-organized, perfect for discussions. Each woman is introduced with background on her character, triumphs and tragedies, and legacy in scriptures. The legacy questions (on Wednesdays, for each women is discussed Monday-Friday) are thought-provking and lend themselves to great bible studies focused on women of the Book. I look forward to talking with all who are interested!

Nobby · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:19 pm Post subject: "WELCOME"

Hi Bat'Ur, both of your post seem to be for the purpose of promoting this book. I may be wrong if I am please forgive me. But we're not aloud to advertise or sell anything on this board. That said, "Welcome to our board. It's always great to have new members. Very Happy

luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1123 Location: US

Hello Nobby, my friend! I have been out of the loop for a couple of weeks because of computer problems but I am back. I hope you and your family are all doing well. I have been praying for you.

Good to be back!

Luv Very Happy

luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1123 Location: US

Hello Bat;

I am in fact reading a book about Women in the Bible. I am embarassed to say that I don't recall the author though and I have been a little side-tracked as of late and so have not picked it up for a few weeks.

If you want to discuss women of the bible, that could prove to be interesting. But if you are, as Nobby has asked you, just promoting a book, count me out.

Thanks,

Love, Luv

Bat'Ur · Little Guppy Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

Actually, there are a few books by the same or very similar names. I don't think it really matters which one, though. What I'd like to do is kick off a good discussion about women in the Bible. Not just as a side dish to someone else's story, but in their own right as individuals.

It wasn't until I started reading about the women of the Bible specifically that I could toss the notion of out-of-hand female subservience with confidence. There is no support for this practice in the Hebrew Bible, at all. The book I introduced myself with simply provides a quick reference for further reading. Any such book would likely do the same.
-B

Bat'Ur · Little Guppy Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

Just out of curiosity, I browsed some of the other threads about women's roles and such in the Bible. No fail, there was always someone quick to downplay or hush what the Bible itself clearly states women did and, thus, can do. Like ministering. If it was sanctioned then, who living today has the authority to discredit or invalidate that? Spirit appears to be asexual; it’s when you’re hung up on the body that you get stuck.

Come one, now. Please tell me this isn't just another place to hear about how much less women's spiritual contributions are worth than men's. Please!
-B

luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1123 Location: US

Wow! You really hit a nerve with your last post, Bat'ur. I have been one of those who have presented the fact that women ministered and prophesied. Several of us have pointed out that it is appointed to or put upon both men and women (sons and daughters) to prophesy and proclaim the good news of Gods kingdom in these, the last days. We have met with much resistance.

I also mentioned in a post that I chose to read the New Testament cover to cover before tackling the OT. I was chastised and criticized for this decision. I thought about it recently and realized why I had subconsciously chosen this route.

First of all, I have spent many years of my life discussing and reading the OT. I find it historically useful. As a woman, it's difficult to digest. Women of the OT were not treated very well. They were thought of as less-than, as property. They were valued less. This is part of what drove my sister away from God and religion and, admittedly, for a time drove me away also.

I am certain that this was a big factor in my decision to read the NT first. You see, Jesus holds no such biases. He loves men, women and children. God loves men, women and children also. There is no distinction between women and men with God and His son Jesus. I was amazed and touched by the unconditional love and gentleness that Jesus extended to everyone. It lifted a burden off of my heart and made my soul soar.

I am still not clear about how Paul felt about women as he may have been influenced by the past, by history. Or maybe he was just keeping his congregation in stride with the backward laws of the land at the time. Women in the state that I live in were not even allowed to vote until 1914. How behind the times must laws have been when Paul was alive! The other thing I have considered is that his warning regarding women being silent in the church may have been meant specifically for that church at that time. What if he stated what he did because women were whispering or talking among themselves during services and were showing disrespect and not listening to what was being taught?

Sorry. I got a little off track. The book I have about women and the bible has each woman and her story listed alphabetically and that is how I have been reading it.

Is there another way you would like to approach this touchy but important subject? Do you want to study each woman or group of women via separate threads?

Thanks for bringing up this topic.

Love, Luv Very Happy

Bat'Ur · Little Guppy Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

It's so refreshing to be able to venture out into the deep with the Bible. I too had a major issue with the way women were, not always but many times, treated.

I'm confident this was due in large part to our physical differences. For example, although Leah was the fertile one (and Jacob did keep going back for more), she was not as attractive as Rachel and was not as valued. Leah even had to pay to sleep with Jacob on at least one occasion (Gen. 30:14-16). Now, we can look at this story more than one way. Sure, it's messed up to have to pay to sleep with your own husband. But, the story also reminds us how human the folks of the Bible were. They weren't angels floating around like clouds all day. They were people like you and me that we can all learn from. It took a lot of grace for Leah to put up with someone like Rachel... especially when her husband was crazy about Rachel! But, God blessed her with never having to stress about fertility --economic security. The lesson I choose to get from this is: "If you refrain from complaining long enough to recognize blessings when they occur, there you go."

Now, God really shows His sense of humor with Hosea and Gomer! Check it out at Hosea 1-4 Wink

) Some would refuse to look past the fact that Gomer was a *One Who Practices the World's Oldest Profession* and just cite her, over and over again, as an(other) example of a “bad” woman in the Bible. Well, Hosea (yes, the prophet!) was told by God Himself to go and marry a woman like Gomer… illegitimate children and all. Why? So the prophet could see how God feels when His people go off and do their own thing! It’s like that.

Regarding how to proceed with the thread, I like the idea of covering each woman as an individual and within the context of her environment and circumstances. I've been warned about mentioning the title, but I do have a great book that helps makes this very easy to do. How about we start with Tamar, the daughter-inlaw of Judah (Gen. 38)? She's a commonly mislabeled woman who deserves honor for being clever and determined, even if highly controversial.
-B

luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1123 Location: US

Sure! I'll get out my reading glasses tomorrow and get started.

Have a good night!

Love, Luv Very Happy

Bat'Ur · Little Guppy Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

I look forward to threading with you, Luv. Good night Smile

luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1123 Location: US

I look forward to that too. How about we cover Tamar in this thread and then start a new thread for each subsequent study? Would that be alright with you?

Love, Luv

Bat'Ur · Little Guppy Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

That sounds great Smile

I'm ready when you are.
-B

luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1123 Location: US

Bat'Ur;

I have a confession. Things did not quite work out as I anticipated today. I had a little problem with my 8 year old at church today and she was subsequently grounded for the day. We ended up cleaning her room. We got about 1/2 way through. I also had another family matter that I had to attend to so I took care of that. By the time I was finished, I was pretty wiped out. I laid around and did not read Tamar. I will try to get to it tomorrow on breaks and lunches.

Is it OK if we start then?

Love, Luv Smile

Bat'Ur · Little Guppy Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

I started a thread called "Tamar...", so take your time. I'll only respond when there is something to respond to Smile

-B

luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1123 Location: US

Hello Bat'Ur;

I posted a response to Tamar.

I have not posted anything yet in 'Gomer' but .... boy, what a picture the name 'Gomer' for a woman conjures up in my mind...

Luv Very Happy