Men and women in Scripture
The circumstances of the birth of the first Biblical woman, Eve, mother of mankind, are the object of numerous theological and exegetical interpretations, whether in Judaism or Christianity. The translation of the Hebrew term אַחַת מִצַּלְעֹתָיו into “rib” or “side” raises questions as to which part exactly of sleeping Adam Eve was made of. The first alternative brings up the problem of the androgynous nature of both original creatureswhich some infer from Genesis 1:27.
Old Testament authors attest aspects of women's condition in Antiquity, when they were social minors and economically beholden to men. However recent exegesis of the Genesis story show that interpretations that narrowly equate women with sin as Eve's daughters are simplistic. Being highly allegorical, Scripture is open to diverse interpretations. Furthermore. The Old Testament does not want for positive, proactive female figures.
The Gospel authors give women a leading role, say through the figure of Mary, mother of Jesus hence mother of the Church. Jesus is surrounded by numerous women; they will be first to witness his Resurrection. They partake in evangelisation, they prophesy. And yet their role does not overlap with that of men: they are not apostles. Also, on several occasions, Christ will denounce women's condition, when, for instance, stoned to death by men who sin with impunity. He welcomes the prostitute and the just alike.
Some letters attributed to St Paul[1] and figuring in the New Testament propose a distinctly androcentric interpretation of the Christian message. To be precise, in the social order (functions, roles, responsibilities), women are subordinated to men; in the spiritual order, they are of equal worth. Another Epistle attributed to Paul codifies the role of women in ministry: he excludes them .
Such codifications explain how women, throughout the history of Christianity, came to cultivate a very advanced and acknowledged spiritual life. Nuns alone were in a position to take up a public role. It was for them the key to emancipation, or even to social promotion. For some centuries, the missions represented an accepted way to travel, acquire professional (not least medical) skills and to assume positions of responsibility.
