Symposium on the Role of Women in the Church i Copyright © 1984 by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Duplicated in U.S.A. Distributed by the Biblical Research Institute Committee General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists The opinions expressed in these papers are those of the authors, not necessarily of the Biblical Research Institute or the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. i TABLE OF CONTENTS The Roles of Women Introduction Gordon M. Hyde An Introduction and Overview ....................................................................................................... 1 I Man and Woman in Genesis 1-3 Gerhard F. Hasel Man and Woman in Genesis 1 ........................................................................................................ 9 Man and Woman in Genesis 2 ..................................................................................................... 12 Man and Woman in Genesis 3 ...................................................................................................... 17 Retrospect and Prospect ................................................................................................................ 21 II The Legal and Social Status of Women in the Pentateuch Kenneth L. Vine Creation of Woman ....................................................................................................................... 23 Woman After the Fall ................................................................................................................... 24 Woman’s Status and Role as Daughter ......................................................................................... 26 Woman’s Status and Role as Wife ................................................................................................ 28 Woman’s Status and Role as Mother ............................................................................................ 31 Status and Role of Other Women ................................................................................................. 31 Woman and Inheritance ................................................................................................................ 33 Woman and Religious Life ........................................................................................................... 33 Woman and Social Life ................................................................................................................ 34 Woman and Legal Status .............................................................................................................. 34 Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 35 III The Role of Women in the Old Testament Outside the Pentateuch Jerry A. Gladson General Observations .................................................................................................................... 37 Socio-Economic Role ................................................................................................................... 38 Political and Military Role ............................................................................................................ 42 Religious Role ............................................................................................................................... 44 Symbolic Use of the Feminine Image ........................................................................................... 45 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................... 47 i IV First-Century Cultural Backgrounds In the Greco-Roman Empire Julia Neuffer Women in First-Century Judaism ................................................................................................. 50 Women in Hellenism .................................................................................................................... 53 The Roman Woman ...................................................................................................................... 57 Mixed Cultural Heritage of Christians .......................................................................................... 59 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 62 V Jesus and Women Walter F. Specht Jesus Championed Women’s Rights ............................................................................................. 63 Christ’s Signs and Wonders on Behalf of Women ....................................................................... 67 Jesus Related His Teachings to Women ....................................................................................... 70 Jesus Awakened a Loyal Following Among Women ................................................................... 74 Summary and Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 77 VI An Exegesis of 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and Its Implications Sakae Kubo Exegesis ........................................................................................................................................ 78 Implications................................................................................................................................... 81 VII A Brief Analysis and Interpretation of the Biblical Data Regarding the Role of Woman Frank B. Holbrook Creation of Woman—Her Status .................................................................................................. 86 Effects of Sin and Judgment on Woman’s Status ......................................................................... 88 Status of Woman in the Biblical Instruction ................................................................................. 90 Roles Women Filled in Biblical Times ......................................................................................... 95 Jesus’ Relationship With Women ................................................................................................. 98 The Apostle Paul and Women .................................................................................................... 100 Summary and Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 107 ii VIII The Roles of Women in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Significance of Ellen G. White Counsels E. Marcella Anderson Preface ......................................................................................................................................... 109 Positions of Trust ........................................................................................................................ 109 The Issue of Equality .................................................................................................................. 110 The Golden Rule on Rights......................................................................................................... 114 Leadership Roles in the Church .................................................................................................. 115 Laying On of Hands .................................................................................................................... 121 Elevated Standards ...................................................................................................................... 122 Summary and Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 122 IX The Role of Women in American Protestantism, 1975 LaVonne Neff Ordination of Women ................................................................................................................. 124 Woman Pastors in Protestant Churches ...................................................................................... 126 X Society, Women, and the Church Betty Stirling Women in the Family .................................................................................................................. 130 Women’s Education .................................................................................................................... 132 Labor Force ................................................................................................................................. 132 Women’s Rights .......................................................................................................................... 133 Attitudes Toward Women ........................................................................................................... 134 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 135 XI Differently but Equally the Image of God The Meaning of Womanhood According to Four Contemporary Protestant Theologians Fritz Guy Theological Context .................................................................................................................... 137 Sexuality as a Refining Characteristic of Human Being ............................................................ 137 Sexuality and the Image of God .................................................................................................. 139 Sexuality as a Spiritual Differentiation ......................................................................................