Woman Be Free!

by Patricia Gundry

Book by Gundry, Patricia

Genres: Theology

Paperback

First published June 1, 1977

Reviews

[A.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clear and concise introduction to the often emotionally charged debate of "women in ministry" for the Christian Church.

Pat Gundry is in many ways a pioneer in female Christian scholarship (this book was published in the late seventies) but this small book is far from antiquated. It's messages of sound Biblical interpretation, gender equality and responsibility, and a deep love of God's Word ring as true today as when it was published.

I read this book along with many others on this topic during a period of time when I couldn't seem to stop thinking and noticing a subtle but constant injustice in the Church. I couldn't (and still can't) understand how and why the body of Christ limps along with half of its members spiritually, emotionally, and pragmatically chained down. Woman Be Free was an encouraging read, not just in my convictions, but in the very truth and cohesiveness of the Biblical story.

This is a highly recommended introduction as it discusses the "problem passages" in Scripture and their contrasting interpretations. New readers to this topic of any ilk will find Pat Gundry's work both accessible and logical.

“...there is neither Jew nor Greek,
slave nor free, male nor female...”

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN ARGUMENT AGAINST WOMEN BEING ‘SECOND-CLASS CHRISTIANS’

Author Patricia Gundry wrote in the first chapter of this 1977 book, “The result of our many restrictions and rules for women is an altered citizenship. In practice, women ARE second-class Christians. This second-class citizenship for women hurts us all. The church as a body is denied the internal freedom under which it flourishes best. It is denied the benefits of half its membership when those gifts conflict with its stereotyped view of women possessing them. Every woman with something ‘unacceptable’ to offer suffers, and those to whom she would minister lose her needed help… and their husbands are co-victims, for they consider themselves failures because they cannot fit into the scheme of always being superior to their wives… It is as though the power structure in the church and ministry is labeled with a big sign: ‘For Men Only---God Says So!’ But is that really what God said? When God moved Paul to write to the women of Corinth against speaking out in the meetings, was He telling women of all times that they could not open a meeting with prayer or give the announcements in their churches? Or was he trying to deal with a specific problem in the Corinthian church at that time? Women do not know. It is time women looked at the Bible for themselves. It is time they examined the restrictions placed upon them and their supposed weaknesses that make them unfit for so much… We believe the Bible is God’s message to His people. What does it really say about women?” (Pg. 12-13)

She states, “The fact that Adam is spoken of in Genesis 2 as having been created first, whether a literal account of what took place or an example of the way God planned man and woman to relate to one another, does not argue for his being her superior in authority or ability or essence. God created living things in an ascending order of complexity. If order of creation means anything, it would have to mean Eve was superior because she was last. I’m not saying she was, but neither was she under Adam because of it.” (Pg. 23)

She cites the objection: “You are denying the inspiration of the Bible.” She comments, “This accusation is an all-purpose silencer. It is most useful to those with credentials as Bible scholars. It is a form of spiritual one-upmanship. What they are really saying is, ‘If you disagree with my interpretation of the Bible, l am going to try to frighten you into thinking it is the only possible interpretation God will allow.’ It sounds impressive to someone not sure she or he can speak as authoritatively as the one making the accusation.” (Pg. 37)

She observes, “It is interesting to notice the selective use of the results of the Fall by many Bible teachers. We are often told that [Gen 3:16] proves woman’s subordination and that it applies to all women for all time. Yet in the same passage, just previous to the message to Eve, Adam is told that he will earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. How often is that preached on as unchangeable? These instructions or warnings are plainly the RESULTS of the Fall, not God’s initial purpose in creation. If this is to be applied as God’s unalterable will for woman, then… [man] should do nothing to make his toil easier or alleviate the problem of thorns and thistles… Obviously a consistent application of these verses as the unalterable will of God is absurd. They are the RESULTS of the Fall. Our God is a God of grace, and since the Fall He has been progressively working to nullify these results. The ideal is to be found in Genesis 1 and 2, not in Genesis 3.” (Pg. 60-61)

She acknowledges, “At first glance, 1 Corinthians 11:8-9 seems to be making a firm statement about women’s inferior position to man… But in verses 11 and 12 man and woman are shown to be equal and interdependent ‘in the Lord.’ … It is really not clear what verses 8 and 9 mean in the light of verses 11 and 12… What is clear is that in Christ they are equal to men.” (Pg. 66)

She notes, “[1 Cor 14:34-35] is used in varying degrees to bar women from active participation in the public worship services of the church… The passage … is often cited in conjunction with ‘I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man'. (1 Tim 2:12). Actually it does not say the same thing, for in 1 Corinthians the women are told not to ASK QUESTIONS; teaching is not mentioned… these interpretations … are inconsistent with Paul’s known practices---he did allow women to speak in the church. He just told them in Chapter 11 that when they speak they should wear their head coverings… So, rather than a rule permanently sealing women’s lips, this seems to be an exhortation to order referring to a particular abuse---noisy interruptions by women in worship services.” (Pg. 69-70)

She suggests that 1 Tim 2:11-15 “is one of the most difficult passages in the Bible to interpret. Virtually no scholar claims to understand the last part of the passage [‘she will… be kept safe through the childbearing’]… One cannot justify isolating a verse or two from an obvious problem context and using the isolated portion dogmatically.” (Pg. 74-75) Later, she adds, “To generalize that all women must not teach or exercise authority because of the unique problems at Ephesus would be misuse of the passage and contrary to Paul’s known practice.” (Pg. 77)

She points out, “I never hear a sermon about Deborah and Jael. This exciting and enlightening story from Judges 4 and 5 does not in any way fit the stereotypes of women that we have been taught. This may be one reason for the silence.” (Pg. 91)

She states, “Priscilla and Aquila worked with Paul in the tentmaking trade as well as in the spread of the gospel. A church met in their home in Ephesus. Other women are greeted in Paul’s letters in a manner that seems to indicate that they were his co-workers or had a teaching ministry. Tryphena and Tryphosa are called Christian workers; Persis is called an unwearied worker in the Lord. (Rom 16:12)” (Pg. 100-101)

She concludes, “Remember what Christianity is. It is not an organized system of religious beliefs like Hinduism or Islam. Christianity is a relationship between two living persons---Jesus Christ and the believer. Any rule, regulation, or trapping of organized Christianity is superficial if it interferes with that relationship. God has paid a high price for you… If He accepts you, who are you to do less? Whatever He says to you---do it!” (Pg. 111-112)

This book will be of keen interest to Christians studying such issues.

[Petra Wallenmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tiny but powerful book for anyone who holds an egalitarian view and wishes to understand it better, for those who don't hold the view but are considering it, and for those who don't hold the view but do want to understand their fellow Christ followers better.

I read it easily in one day. A couple of chapters before work in the morning and the rest after dinner that same day.

I felt seen reading the book. She accurately put into words thoughts and feelings of my own while also validating the reasons those thoughts and feelings existed. I cannot count the number of times as I read this slim volume that I thought, "She got that exactly right! That's just what I've felt!" Knowing you're not alone, you're not crazy, and you're not defective is a great feeling.

She is gracious. This is not a man-hating author or man-bashing book. She does not ascribe malevolent intent where there is none. And she doesn't encourage such an attitude. I was really pleasantly surprised to see a woman write on this topic being firm, assertive, and knowledgeable while also being kind, gracious, and encouraging. If the tone were different, I would not have enjoyed the content nor paid it as much attention.

It's small, so it does not cover every single nuance of every possible argument in this theological debate. But she covers the essentials and lays a solid groundwork for her case. She sounds reasonable, not like she's making illogical leaps from evidence to conclusions. Importantly, she lays out why the book is needed and why women feel strongly about the question of their role in the church. It is helpful to read even if just to gain insight into why a viewpoint opposite your own exists and why it matters to real people, not just as an idea.

I'm not sure it fully convinces me, but it was a strong effort, and I feel like few other books on the matter are going to resonate with me so strongly.

Patricia wrote this before a lot of the more extreme modern feminist ideas gained more volume and/or popularity. It is refreshingly free of bullshit and just gets to the point without a lot of virtue-signaling language to wade through to figure out what she means. Her effort to show nuance even in her pointed language is a hard feat to accomplish, but she did it.

[Keri Murcray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book and is very helpful in addressing many of the issues pertaining to this subject. Not really dated at all and very readable. Here are a few quotes that stuck with me:

“We must not be confused by the words inspiration and interpretation. To claim the inspiration of the Scriptures is to believe that what the Bible says is true – that it is God’s written Word to us. Interpretation involves explaining what this Word means to us on a human level. Therefore, interpretation leaves room for human error, and we must recognize in others’ pulling of spiritual or educational rank that they are not infallible in their interpretation of Scripture.” (pg. 38)

“Another issue raised when talking about what women may and should do is the issue of being wife and mother. I often read Christian writers who say God’s calling for women is to be wives and mothers, not doctors, lawyers, etc. Now, wife and mother are words referring to relationships, not occupations. The male counterparts are husband and father. And you never even consider the possibility of someone making a statement like, ‘God wants men to be husbands and father, not bakers, laundry truck drivers, and accountants’; because everyone recognizes that a man can be a perfectly good husband and father and still drive a laundry truck. It is not doing the physical work connected with housekeeping and child care, such as washing dishes and diapers, that makes one a successful wife and mother, but the time, attention, and conscientious effort one puts into the relationship these words identify.” (pg. 89-90)

“We must begin where we are and be God’s person there. We must look around us in our closest surroundings and say, ‘What do You want me to do here, Lord?’ And nothing we do toward freeing ourselves should be done without His guidance. Good principles, without the Holy Spirit’s direction, evolve into bad rules. We must remember Christ’s manner and be imitators of Him as dearly loved children; and whatever is done should be done with His direction and help. This will mean that some changes may be slight and slow in coming, but others may be breathtaking as we make ourselves available for God’s use for whatever He tells us to do.” (pg. 108)

“Remember, God does not require that we be accepted or admired for what we do, nor are we required to be successful by anyone else’s standards. It is only required of stewards that they be found faithful. That is our task – to be faithful to do and be what God gives us as individuals. His requirement is that we not misuse or waste what we have. He will show us how and when and where to use it – if we will listen. Remember who you are. You are a child of God. He is your director. You need no pope, bishop, synod, [pastor], or council to tell you what you may believe or how you may serve Him. We are all priests and kings before God. Remember what Christianity is…Christianity is a relationship between two living persons – Jesus Christ and the believer. Any rule, regulation, or trapping of organized Christianity is superficial if it interferes with that relationship. God has paid a high price for you. He desires your love and companionship. He wants you beside Him while He works. You two are partners. He had made you, and all He has made was good. If He accepts you, who are you to do less? Whatever He says to you – do it!” (pg. 111)