How Can Women Have Greater Roles In Christian Practice

From the beginning of Christian history women have been viewed as subordinate to men. They have been perceived as mentally and physically inferior and fit only for domestic work and the upbringing up children. These ideas were imposed upon by their own church’s prophets, popes, teachers, authors and most others in authority. These concepts were then used to wield power over women and keep them from displaying their true potentials and granted them limited roles in Christian practice.

In order for women to begin to have greater roles in Christian practice, women must be seen as equal to men. As long as females are held in popular Christian thought as of lower status than males, they will perpetually be kept in the shadows.

The church must not continue to subscribe to a number of biblical ideas such as those contained in the Pauline texts or there will be no great change. The texts that are most antifeminist are clearly the Pauline texts.For example there are passages in the Pauline texts refer to women as having a lower status than men. In one of Paul’s letters he tells the women of his day to keep quiet when they enter the church.

Also Paul advises married women to obey their husbands implying that men should govern the actions of women. Paul implies that women are subordinate and to act out the important responsibilities of church leadership, women must first be respected on an equal level to men. Another biblical text which must be overcome is the first genesis account of creation which designates men as more significant and being created before woman.

To have greater roles women must also view their selves as an indispensable part of the Christian church. They must consider themselves as fit for the position of church leadership roles. For many years they have been conditioned through culture to act and to image themselves as weaker and not created for any real purpose in the church. A greater view must be adapted by women before any great change can occur.