Toward an Egalitarian Ecclesia - Excursion not originally planned…but intersting nonetheless.
I just ran across a lecture by NT Wright that gave a thumbs up to my Artemis Cult reading of I Timothy 2. He doesn’t go as far as I do in attempting to explain the pain in childbirth, but nonetheless, he deals with I Timothy 2 and a few other supposedly patriarchal texts.
Here’s the Link, enjoy. Women’s Service in the Church: The Biblical Basis
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
epitrepo, the greek work translated as “permit” has a broad base of potential meanings such as “turn towards,” “give over to,” “entrust.” Permission is an interpretive definition that has a specific connatation that other possible definitions don’t necessarily carry. That should be kept in mind.
It’s also worth noting that the word usually translated as “silent”/”silence” is haesuchia. What’s missing is that by silence, its meaning is more nuanced, refering to a silence specifically being at peace, or at rest. I’d say that being “at peace” would be a good rebuke of women that are forcefully/violently practicing authentein.
Interesting, I really respect NT Wright, besides the NP on Paul. At the end ehwn he gives his new rendering he writes it out as follows:
“So this is what I want: the men should pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, with no anger or disputing. 9In the same way the women, too, should clothe themselves in an appropriate manner, modestly and sensibly. They should not go in for elaborate hair-styles, or gold, or pearls, or expensive clothes; 10instead, as is appropriate for women who profess to be godly, they should adorn themselves with good works. 11They must be allowed to study undisturbed, in full submission to God. 12I’m not saying that women should teach men, or try to dictate to them; they should be left undisturbed. 13Adam was created first, you see, and then Eve; 14and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived, and fell into trespass. 15She will, however, be kept safe through the process of childbirth, if she continues in faith, love and holiness with prudence.”
I still think he stretches the Greek in v.12. It literally says “do not permit” not “I am not saying”, permission is denied in the Greek.