Why did Jesus choose 12 men.

Carl Emerson said:

Yes but Jesus forgave Peter for denying Him and Thomas for unbelief - I will be very surprised if they are not all there...

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JackRT said:

The issue of womens' role in the church is not as clear cut as some people would think. The letters of Paul, which date to the middle of the first century AD, provide some clues. For example, Paul greets Prisca, Junia, Julia, and Nereus' sister, who worked and traveled as missionaries in pairs with their husbands or brothers (Romans 16:3, 7, 15) as equals and co-workers. Junia is praised as a prominent apostle, imprisoned for her faith. Mary and Persis are commended for their hard work (Romans 16:6, 12). Euodia and Syntyche are called his fellow-workers in the gospel (Philippians 4:2-3). Women were the leaders of house churches (Apphia in Philemon 2; Prisca in I Corinthians 16:19), Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:15) and Nympha of Laodicea (Colossians 4:15). Women held offices and played significant roles in group worship, such as the deacon Phoebe (Romans 16:1) and women were certainly praying and prophesying during worship (I Corinthians 11). An order of widows served formal roles of ministry (I Timothy 5:9-10). Women prophets included Mary Magdalene, the Corinthian women, Philip's daughters, Ammia of Philadelphia, Philumene, the visionary martyr Perpetua, Maximilla, Priscilla (Prisca), and Quintilla.

When we look at the bible, both old and new testaments, we realize that it emerged from an extremely patriarchal society. This society devalued women to the extent that they were not even considered to be persons before the law. Not only were they devalued but they were in many ways considered to be of inferior intellect and of a carnal nature even moreso than the male. Patriarchy was simply part and parcel of their world view --- they simply were unable to think of the role of women in any other way. Today we know that women are the intellectual and spiritual equals of men and in every respect except physical size and strength. Jesus himself seems to gave been largely gender blind in that he numbered women among his disciples and apostles and even close friends. Paul, at first, appears conflicted until we realize that the pastoral epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus) were actually written pseudonymously some 60 years after Paul's death. This was more than enough time for patriarchy to once again take charge. In my personal opinion patriarchy just might be the ugliest evil that humanity has ever inflicted on itself. It still exerts its malevolent influence in some circles even today. As a Christian I am convinced that we should make every effort to ensure the full equality of women in every aspect of the life of our churches and in society at large.

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PloverWing said:

The Bible does not tell us why the 12 were all men. "Culturally appropriate" is one good guess.

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Jonathan Walkerin said:

Just makes you wonder what else is in the Bible just because it was culturally appropriate at the time.

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Jonathan Walkerin said:

Just makes you wonder what else is in the Bible just because it was culturally appropriate at the time.

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PloverWing said:

Besides the items WrappedUpinHisLove3 mentioned, there are lots of everyday things in the Bible that were part of their culture. Walking from one town to the next as the common method of travel. Having a king as a common form of government. Getting water by drawing it from a well. Having a wedding party where you serve wine to your guests (my Baptist mother would not approve!). And so on.

It's why so many sermons have all these explanations of what sheep are like, and what's so important about sitting at someone's right hand, and why a servant would wash your feet.

Sorting out which items in the Bible are timeless principles that we need to follow, and which items in the Bible are mere reflections of ancient cultures, is not simple.

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PloverWing said:

Sorting out which items in the Bible are timeless principles that we need to follow, and which items in the Bible are mere reflections of ancient cultures, is not simple.

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Jonathan Walkerin said:

Like treatment of gays ? Emancipation of women? Those kind of things ?

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WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:

i wonder if the issue is that that particular society was very patriachal and women disciples would perhaps not have been taken seriously or treated with respect. do not forget also, that many women maried and had children very young- the life of the 12 would not be suitable for a wife with young children, maybe? of course there must have been soem single women and widows who could have qualified, so maybe my latter point is moot.

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