Inspired writings with mixed messages.

Scripture Passage that Caught my attention today: 1 Timothy 2:8-15 I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument; 9 also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. 12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.

Observation: The writer uses a little selective memory in terms of the Scriptures when writing this passage.

Application: Yesterday’s Old Testament reading in church was Genesis 1:1-2:4a. It’s the first account of creation in the Bible, familiar to many as the story where God says, “Let there be ____, and it was so” throughout the course of six days. I explained during my message that there is also a second/alternative story of creation found in Genesis 2:4b to the end of the chapter. It is popularly known as the story of the creation of Adam and Eve, but it is really another story of creation. If one draws a line down the middle of a piece of paper and compares the order between the two creation stories, the order is quite different between the two.

I find it interesting that even in Scripture there is an effort to use the second story of creation as a way to restrict the role of women in the world and attribute the sentiment to divine providence. Modern scholarship would say, ‘not so fast…a close examination of that second Genesis story reveals a more equal partnership than originally meets the eye.’ But such analysis was lost on the writer of 1 Timothy (which most modern scholars believe was actually someone other than Paul, due in part to significant differences in writing style, theology, and engagement with the world). Whether out of fear of the expanding role of women in the early church or simply because of his understanding of Scripture and/or culture as a whole, one has to admit that the author of 1 Timothy does not envision a world where men and women are equal but differently-gifted partners. Interestingly enough, in 2nd Timothy we’ll read that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” I agree. But sometimes figuring out exactly ‘how’ it’s useful is a more complicated matter.

Prayer: Lord, I am so very grateful for the Scriptures and also so very perplexed by many of the passages that I encounter from year to year and day to day. Still, I trust that you do indeed speak through them, even if, at times, to show us that even the writers of Scripture themselves—even when inspired by you!—did not always see eye to eye. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: 1 Kings 4-5, Psalm 83, and 1 Timothy 2)