Rethinking the Concept of Patriarchy in the Old Testament
For decades, feminist scholars have criticized the Old Testament’s teaching on gender roles, labeling it as patriarchal and oppressive. However, recent scholarship from both feminist and non-feminist circles suggests that this characterization may be misleading and inaccurate.
A More Nuanced Understanding of the Father’s Role
Noted evangelical Old Testament scholar Daniel Block points out that the term “patriarchy” focuses too narrowly on the father’s authority, neglecting other significant aspects of his role in ancient Israelite society. In reality, the father’s role was multifaceted, encompassing care, provision, and protection for the extended household.
Challenging the Label of Patriarchy
Carol Meyers, a professor of religion at Duke University, also argues that the label of patriarchy is anachronistic and fails to do justice to the complexity of gender relations in ancient Israel. Meyers contends that the concept of patriarchy is not an accurate reflection of the role of the father in ancient times.
A Critical Mass of Scholarship
A growing body of leading evangelical and non-evangelical scholarship concurs that the modern concept of patriarchy does not adequately reflect the role of the father in ancient Israel. Even some feminist scholars are reevaluating their assumptions about the Old Testament’s teaching on gender roles.
Moving Beyond the Strawman Argument
Rather than engaging in a strawman argument about Old Testament “patriarchy,” we should strive for a more precise and nuanced understanding of the biblical teaching on gender roles. In their book “God’s Design for Man and Woman,” Andreas and Marny Köstenberger attempt to provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the biblical teaching on manhood and womanhood.
A Biblical Theology of Gender
The Köstenbergers’ work presents a robust biblical theology of gender, examining key texts, employing sound hermeneutical principles, and considering important historical influences related to the Bible’s teaching on manhood and womanhood. Their research reveals a pervasive pattern of responsible, sacrificial, loving, and caring male leadership throughout Scripture.
Partnership and Stewardship
Women, created in the image of God, are called to partner with their husbands in fulfilling the cultural mandate and stewarding God’s creation. Together, men and women are to aim to be “fruitful, multiply, and subdue the earth.”
New Testament Teaching
The New Testament affirms the teaching of the Old Testament, emphasizing the importance of male leadership in the church. However, this leadership is not authoritarian or oppressive; rather, it is characterized by love, humility, and service.
The Root Problem: Human Sin
Contrary to many feminist scholars, the root problem of humanity is not male authority or authority itself; rather, it is human sin, which affects the way men and women relate to each other. In Christ, we can be set free to live out God’s design for us according to which he created us male and female from the very beginning.
Partnering in Mission
As Spirit-filled followers of Christ, we can partner in mission for God in love and unity, for God’s greater glory and for our own good. By embracing a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the biblical teaching on gender roles, we can work together to fulfill the Great Commission and bring hope to a broken world.
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