EP 15: JESUS AND GENDER
What do Jesus and the Bible have to say about women’s roles in marriage, life, and the church? Christine chats with author Kelley Mathews about the competing positions on the topic and why developing and holding those positions with humility matters. Kelley also explores some of the toughest questions she and her co-author, Dr. Sue Edwards, wrestled with in writing their newest book, 40 Questions about Women in Ministry.
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Our Guest
KELLEY MATHEWS
(ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a former women’s ministry director and longtime writer/editor. Coauthor of eight ministry books, she currently writes for RightNow Media and is pursuing her Doctorate at Northern Seminary. She and her husband have four children, two of them in college and two still at home. Her parenting skills (and confidence), therefore, are undergoing a massive shift.
NOTE: Featuring a guest, resource, or organization on The Holy Shift does not necessarily constitute a blanket endorsement of their entire body of work.
We’ve highlighted some key points from this episode below. Feel free to share these on your blogs/feeds with proper attribution to the writer/speaker/podcast. Or stay tuned—we will be posting several of these verses and quotes, along with clips from this episode, on our IG page and you can save/share from there.
Scripture
CREATION NARRATIVES IN GENESIS 1-3
1:26-27: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
STORY OF JESUS & THE SAMARITAN WOMAN IN JOHN 4
13-14, 25-30, 39: Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”
JESUS WITH MARY OF BETHANY
LUKE 10:38-42: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
JOHN 12:1-8: Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
JESUS WITH WOMEN DISCIPLES IN LUKE 8:1-3:
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
GALATIANS 3, REMOVING CURSES AND FULFILLING THE LAW
26-29: So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Quotes
- The Creation narratives are proclaiming that we are God’s image bearers. His image is in us. That is our identity. Period. KM
- The Bible is just one big example of how we need a savior. Because we are not it. We can’t do it on our own. KM
- The question is, do we live in Genesis 3, or do we live in the kingdom that Jesus has brought and begun? KM
- The health of the church really is at stake. KM
- If our understanding of what Paul taught goes against what Jesus modeled, we might be misunderstanding Paul. CCP
- We just all need to check ourselves and make sure that our position doesn’t go against what we know about human dignity and Imago Dei (the image of God in men and women,) and that it aligns with what we see Jesus model, teach and live out.” CCP
- We all have to be so careful that we don’t get so entrenched in defending our tribe or our position that we miss out on truth. CCP
Resources
40 QUESTIONS ABOUT WOMEN IN MINISTRY
This book charts a course for understanding differing views on the topic regarding the ministries of women. The accessible question-and-answer format guides readers to specific areas of confusion, and authors helpfully zero in on the foundations of varied beliefs and practices. Edwards and Mathews cover interpretive, theological, historical, and practical matters such as:
- What did God mean by the woman as man’s “helper”?
- How is it that Christians reach different conclusions about 1 Timothy 2:11-15?
- How did Western culture influence the role of women in society and the church?
BOOKS & BIBLE STUDIES
(all descriptions Are written by/linked to Amazon.com or author’s website)
Understand Jesus More Deeply by Studying First-Century History and Culture
Join biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland on those dusty roads as she transports you back to Jesus’ world, following in the footsteps of the women who came face-to-face with the Living God.
Over 7 sessions, examine the historical and cultural climate of first-century Middle Eastern society to not only understand Jesus more deeply but to fuel your worship of Him today.
craving Bible studies that challenge you to grow in your faith?
Popular Bible teacher and co-author of 40 Questions About Women in Ministry, Dr. Sue Edwards, offers plenty of ways to dig deep into God’s Word. Dr. Sue will be leading women through her studies with online chats and discussions on her Facebook page. Whether studying with a small group or by yourself, you can stop by any time of day to get biblical counsel and encouragement, all from the comfort of home―makeup and hairdo optional!
DISCOVER THE JOY AND FREEDOM OF BEING ALL-IN FOR JESUS
In a day when our church culture has limited the terms of Jesus’ command to the perceived strengths of each gender, a woman trying to love the Lord beyond her heart and soul, with her strength and mind, can be thought of as crossing some line or unspoken boundary. But that is not what Scripture says.
INSPIRATION
RELATED ARTICLES
Imago Dei Women: Exploring our Divine Call, Dignity and Commission [BY KARA ANGUS]
God grants authority to humans through a blessing and a commission. There is a theme of mutuality, work and specific purpose granted to both. Being made in the image of God, imago Dei, is a call to action with value and purpose built into our very DNA.
MUSIC
TEACHING
OTHER RELATED RESOURCES
Special thanks to my production team!
- Show Notes: Laurie OBrien
- Podcast Editor: Tammy Munson
- Video Editor: Alyssa Bruce
Our podcast guest, Kelley Mathews, believes the way we view women and their roles has a profound impact on the church, family, and world. What are your thoughts?
