Was Jesus Himself an Actual "Feminist" in a way? Yes or no?

mkgal1

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Another interesting woman in the Bible is only described as "a wise woman" in 2nd Samuel 20. What's fascinating to me is how there doesn't seem to be any narrative that this woman had to do a lot of coaxing in order to be heard (the text implies she just asked Joab--an enemy approaching her city to besiege it-- to come listen to her and he did).
 
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mkgal1

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I agree. I think the parable is more a generalized example on how we should live, not so much an attack on specific religious groups.
But that group did have certain characteristics regarding their rejection of Christ's love and continually trying to trap Him....right? IOW.....those characteristics are representative of how *not* to live, don't you think?
 
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FireDragon76

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But that group did have certain characteristics regarding their rejection of Christ's love and continually trying to trap Him....right? IOW.....those characteristics are representative of how *not* to live, don't you think?

As my pastor pointed out once, in Jewish culture asking questions is not necessarily a sign of trapping people, but was a common conversation "game" to interact with somebody. It's possible these people did not genuinely understand where he was coming from. We've got to be careful categorizing the pharisees as "bad guys", IMO.

We don't want to read the Scriptures in anti-Semitic ways.
 
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mkgal1

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As my pastor pointed out once, in Jewish culture asking questions is not necessarily a sign of trapping people, but was a common conversation "game" to interact with somebody. It's possible these people did not genuinely understand where he was coming from. We've got to be careful categorizing the pharisees as "bad guys", IMO.
Hmmm.....that's very charitable, but some verses do say things like, "waiting to catch Him in something He might say" (in Luke 11:54) and that they "began to oppose Him bitterly". But....that's probably getting off-topic anyway.
 
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JackRT

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Patriarchy was a lens through which society viewed itself in the Mediterranean world of 2000 years ago. Something like feminism would have been quite unthinkable because there simply was no other way of viewing society other than patriarchy. This explains the OT view that women were possessions and even a little bit subhuman. As I mentioned in an earlier post both Jesus and Paul were mostly gender blind but within a century patriarchy had solidly reestablished itself within the early church. For the last several centuries patriarchy has been slowly dying and it would seem that that process is actually accelerating.
 
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ToBeLoved

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As my pastor pointed out once, in Jewish culture asking questions is not necessarily a sign of trapping people, but was a common conversation "game" to interact with somebody. It's possible these people did not genuinely understand where he was coming from. We've got to be careful categorizing the pharisees as "bad guys", IMO.

We don't want to read the Scriptures in anti-Semitic ways.
If someone wants to use that title against Christians they will because in Matthew 23 Jesus plainly and harshly calls out the Pharisee's. So I think if people want to assign the anti-semetic word they will.

That does not change the fact that most of the time when Christians are talking we know what that word Pharisee means only because of the Bible.

Like if a non Christian would think that because Catholics are the largest denomination and call their priests father, that all Christians do that or something. or that all leaders of Christian churches are priests.

The word has the meaning. It's more like a lack of information I think than being against anything.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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You're using a lot of words here, but not really saying much (except for spewing contempt for what you're calling feminism).

I think a proper first step is to first define our "enemy" and what those characteristics are (based on what we believe about God in Jesus).
It was recognized that you were not defining things according to Scripture,
and that the enemies ways of doing things is contemptable according to Scripture - not deserving anyone's respect.

Feminism is the society's way of , whatever, always being opposed to God and directly opposed to Scripture instructions.

NOT based on what anone believes about God in Jesus, no.
Based on HIS WORD, what GOD SAYS, not our opinions nor anyone else's opinions.
THAT (using opinions/ man's thoughts instead of God's Word) is where so much confusion and deception came from almost 2000 years ago, and yesterday, and TODAY, always, until Jesus Returns.
 
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mkgal1

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For the last several centuries patriarchy has been slowly dying and it would seem that that process is actually accelerating.
Except there also seems to be a lot of push-back against feminism/equality as a result of that (in certain groups). More than ten years ago, I don't really recall this ever even being a topic of discussion.....now it's quite common.
 
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JackRT

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Except there also seems to be a lot of push-back against feminism/equality as a result of that (in certain groups). More than ten years ago, I don't really recall this ever even being a topic of discussion.....now it's quite common.

Yes, there is a push back but not as severe as the push back against female suffrage a century ago.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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"the Bible is like a Rorschach test"
Like this ?? >>>
" Truly, as the Rorschach test amply illustrates, people look at the same thing, or same person, and come to widely different conclusions about the nature and significance of those things or persons.That is true for the Bible also.The Bible as a Rorschach Test"

Trying to use man's fatal methods to interpret not just the Bible, but even to interpret interpretations by others unknown !?

Yeshua showed all the disciples how to know the truth, and how to live it.
They were NOT permitted to interpret nor to RE-interpret Scripture. Period.
(a lot / most/ people mix up translate with interpret, btw).

They were told by Jesus, listen to the Father, and what HE SAYS, SAY; What HE SAYS TO DO, DO.

NOT to re-interpret it, not to mis-interpret it, not even to interpret it at all.
 
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mkgal1

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That does not change the fact that most of the time when Christians are talking we know what that word Pharisee means only because of the Bible.
Right.......and I believe most people aren't (at least I'm not) thinking that so the Pharisees of the Bible believed....so also the Jews today believe. This was a specific group.....set out to maintain power and control (and that blinded them to Truth).
 
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ToBeLoved

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Except there also seems to be a lot of push-back against feminism/equality as a result of that (in certain groups). More than ten years ago, I don't really recall this ever even being a topic of discussion.....now it's quite common.
Because women feel like less then. But if we are confident in who God created us to be, we don't need to be anyone other than we are.

It's an ego stroking thing. Women want no limits and to feel a power.

But why? It's an idol. Feminism. Always wanting more not being satisfied.
 
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mkgal1

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Yes, there is a push back but not as severe as the push back against female suffrage a century ago.
True. I believe every big conflict has brought us a bit closer towards overall equality.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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True. I believe every big conflict has brought us a bit closer towards overall equality.
Yes, in the enemy's world it has, via deception and more deception.
But no, not in God's Kingdom. He is against idolatry as noted >>>
But why? It's an idol. Feminism. Always wanting more not being satisfied.
 
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JackRT

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It's an ego stroking thing. Women want no limits and to feel a power.

I have not noticed that at all. What I do see is that women want to be treated as human persons and not something less. IOW just like men.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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I have not noticed that at all. What I do see is that women want to be treated as human persons and not something less. IOW just like men.

COOL! And if so, they should do as men serving Yahweh do, as women and children serving Yahweh and also just seeking Yahweh's Kingdom do -
do things Yahweh's Way, not idolatrously.
 
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mkgal1

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Because women feel like less then. But if we are confident in who God created us to be, we don't need to be anyone other than we are.

It's an ego stroking thing. Women want no limits and to feel a power.

But why? It's an idol. Feminism. Always wanting more not being satisfied.
.....unless we were created to be a pastor (for one example) and are in a denomination that forbids that. Maybe the ego-stroking is on the behalf of those that are forbidding people to live out what they believe God created them to be....not those that merely wish to fulfill their vocations. Wishing for equal dignity is different than wishing to lord over others and steal from them.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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.....unless we were created to be a pastor (for one example) and are in a denomination that forbids that. Maybe the ego-stroking is on the behalf of those that are forbidding people to live out what they believe God created them to be....not those that merely wish to fulfill their vocations. Wishing for equal dignity is different than wishing to lord over others and steal from them.
Good example ! COOL!
When women seek something outside of God's Word, an error in judgment or in spirit I think that is called,
should
those in a denomination then turn to serve contrary to Yahweh's Word ? Or stay straight and true to Yahweh?

If and when men in a denomination "lord it over" anyone, Yahweh has Yahweh's Way , IN Yahweh's Word, to deal with the situation, always. NOT via man's way ever, no.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Finding God's Way in Scripture, for life, for everything concerning life,
is the way to live and to continue every day.

Turning to man's way(s), He forbids even to study such ways, and with perfect wisdom He does.

Man's ways are contrary to God's, even man's best wisdom and best knowledge is opposed to God and contrary to what's best in life, always - since man in His best wisdom and best knowledge is FOOLISH to God, and turned to serve the creature (women or men or other) , INSTEAD of serving God.
 
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During His ministry, Jesus forgave an adulteress who was about to be stoned. At that time in Jewish society, women were below men "on the totem pole" so to speak. He also healed women who were demon possessed and even healed a woman with an issue of blood. Despite the fact that women were considered lower than men in that society, Jesus respected women. He treated them with more respect than many in the society.

True that.

The Holy Spirit impregnated a young woman, who gave birth to the Messiah, and it were women who first saw a resurrected Lord Jesus. I have asked about feminism and even read about how feminism has benefited women. Men and woman will both be judged by the Lord. Men and women were both created by the Holy Trinity. I believe that Genesis 1, it says, "Let us make men in the image of God". Correct me if I am wrong there.

True, but feminism as it is commonly defined in today's society, should not be read into Scripture. I am sorry for not knowing how to communicate it more politely or in a sophisticated manner.

However, I believe that there is a difference between actual feminism and radical feminism. Actual feminism deals with equal rights, but it is respectful of the differences between men and women. In that way, women were to be respected and not demeaned and objectified, and also to be treated as a weaker vessel (I think that is how the Bible interprets it.) Paul has said that he does not permit women to "teach", not "preach", "teach" or usurp authority over a man, he was not being sexist. Women were playing a great part in the ministries of the New Testament, and even the Old Testament, where for example, Deborah was a Judge, Esther saved her people from destruction, and Ruth was respected for all time for her dignity and her character. Having written all of that, the Bible does not promote the objectification of women and treating women badly. In my view, that is what actual feminism was about.

I can agree with that, only exception I might take has to do with "weaker vessel", where I believe it can apply to a man or woman, but I suspect we probably agree. I can only hope women like you will strive to teach and correct radical feminists, and their negative views of men.

However, I am not a fan of radical feminism for their is much too ungodly compared to actual feminism. They do promote the rights of women, but there are views that I disagree with, such as the right to choose in terms of abortion. I believe that once a child is conceived, he, she, or they are human beings who grow inside the mother's womb. It is no longer just her body. That child or children will be the focus of her life because she has the role, as well as the father, to take care of the child or children in terms of standing up for them when they are being bullied, protecting them, feed and clothed them, bathe them, and just love them. I don't agree with radical feminism.

Praise God for women like you, preach it sister!

My question is, did Jesus or would Jesus promote actual, but not radical feminism? Was He a "Feminist" in a way? Women were considered not property, or lower than men, but were treated as living, breathing human beings. Can men not just agree with actual feminism, but can they be "feminist" too?

There is the sense He does promote it through Godly women like you, taking on radical feminists, maintaining roles, defending life. However because the term "feminist" more commonly brings with it certain meanings to modern minds, I do not know how helpful it is to think of Jesus as a feminist...I tend to think of Him more as the Savior of children, women, and men. I suppose what I mean is Jesus is so much greater than just a feminist in the sense you've described that emphasizing that has limited benefit to the Church as a whole, but I think it can and should have a place, men and women need to hear both sides of the issue.
 
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