Presented October 11, 2020 by Elder Jim Guida
Based on Philippians 4:1-9
In today’s scripture (Philippians 4:1-9), Paul is writing to the church he founded in Philippi, which scholars agree was probably the favorite of all the churches Paul founded.
So it was possibly disheartening for Paul to learn of the strife at this church: the quarrelling of two members.
A lot of folks will dismiss the Bible—especially the writings of Paul—as misogynistic (anti-woman). These folks are confusing the times of Paul with the words and intentions of Paul. In our reading today, we hear Paul specifically call out to Euodia and Syntyche “to be of the same mind of the Lord.” Scholars tell us that these two members of the church were, in fact, quarreling, and Paul wanted that to end.
But this is not some girlish catfight.
Paul is in prison and he is taking the time to write to one of his favorite churches, the one in Philippi. If the two people here were inconsequential, why would he go to the trouble of naming them?
As an example of Paul’s alleged misogyny, people will quote Paul in his writing to the church of Ephesians: “Wives, obey your husbands as you obey the Lord. The husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church people. Wives should obey their husbands in everything, just as the church people obey Christ.”
And every woman listening is shaking her head and saying, “Nope. Not gonna happen.”
But these were the times and Paul was part of those times.
In the same letter, though, Paul wrote: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church people. He gave his life for the church. So husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies. The man who loves his wife loves himself. However, each one of you should love his wife as he loves himself. And the wife should respect her husband.”
That women are an important part of the church has never been in question.
One of the main incidents connected to Paul’s first visit to Philippi was the conversion of a prominent woman of means called Lydia, a seller of purple-dyed goods. In Philippi, Paul also cured a slave girl, whose gifts of divination were being used by her owner, who was so angry that he had Paul jailed.
Paul was not a misogynist. The Bible is not misogynistic. It is God’s word, interpreted by men who lived in a patriarchal society.
Today’s sermon is inspired by lectionary and also by the passing this month of two great female advocates who advanced the cause of female equality. Singer Helen Reddy made popular the anthem for women in the mid-1970’s with her song I Am Woman. More recently, we lost the greatest champion for women’s rights this nation has ever seen in Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
The voices of these two women have been silenced but their work can continue—and we can use the Bible to work towards that goal.
You will find people who are happy to challenge the Bible, with their “Yeah, but what about.”
But for every “didn’t he say this?,” there is Paul recommending Phoebe in his letter to the Romans, as a benefactor and leader of the church in Rome.
In the same letter, Paul mentions Priscia and her husband, Aquila—in that order!—as workers in the church and teachers of Jesus’ words.
In other writings by him and about him, women are specifically named as partners in Christ, including Nympha and Mary, Mother of John Mark.
We could easily do a Bible study on this subject and perhaps when this COVID-19 nonsense is over, we will. In the meantime, do not be intimidated by those who may say a woman’s place is not in the Bible.
Old Testament stories and even entire books have women as the protagonist and it was Jesus who welcomed all into his company. More immediately and more at home, Bethany Church has always had a strong female presence, since its inception over 100 years ago to last week, when the Fellowship Commission put together and delivered Care Packages to our local members. Those creating and delivering the packages include Dolores, Wendy, Cherie, Janice, Cindy, Diana, Jo, Dena and drivers Cathy, Wendy, Janice, Dolores, Trisha, Grace and Kathy. And if anyone was left out, I apologize, but you can clearly see that we are a church of equality, a church that Paul writes of in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
That is our blessing. That is our Bethany. Amen
Bethany women and friends - Mother’s Day Tea 2019
