With the disgusting
boastings of a candidate that purportedly promoted misogynic ideology (debated
by supporters), it dawned on me that some people feel even the Bible promotes
such an attitude. (The term misogyny
and its conjugations have been loosely applied to negative perception of woman.
The word itself defines “hatred of woman” and does not address objectifying
them or other such things.) While this charge against the Bible is based on
ignorant and misinformed understandings, it still is worth examining at least
one scripture that seems to have some people confused.
Revelation 14:4
speaks of faithful, heaven-bound Christians as being undefiled by women. (Other translations) The
notion that being with a woman is “defiling” offends some peoples
sensitivities. Taken on the surface, it is understandable. But as with all
scriptures, plucking a single verse out of the Bible without taking into
account the whole Bible is unfair to God, who believers
are convinced is the true author of the Bible.
So let’s
cover some key points. Genesis indicated that God made both man and woman and
that a woman would be a complement
(a completing) of man. This mutual complement was to be so bonding that they
should consider themselves not two separate people, but “one flesh.” Adam
and Eve were specifically
instructed to have sexual relations. Throughout the whole Bible, specific
women are mentioned by name as being “godly.” (Rather than go into lengthy
discussion of the good light in which scripture casts women, see this 2014
article, “What Is the Role
of Women in Jehovah’s Purpose?”) So neither women nor sex are evil.
What then
about Rev.14:4? Barnes’
Notes (scroll down to find) indicates the context intends immoral relations
with women. The “Insight On Scriptures,” vol.2 further adds that the defilement
would also be on figurative
moral, spiritual, social, and doctrinal levels. Especially so, would those
of Christ’s bride remove
themselves from Babylon, The Great Harlot.” That symbolic “woman” is disgusting in extreme!
So no, God
doesn’t promote hatred of women in the Bible. Those who have interpreted that
way are greatly misinformed. Fortunate for us, God is not thin-skinned. Once we
come to realize our mistaken ideas and change for the better, we can still
become God’s friend.
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