Women's Roles in Certain Second Testament Passages

Abstract

The role of women in early Christianity remains a contested topic among Second Testament scholars. This paper creates a cross-cultural, macrosociological model of the role of women in agrarian societies against which appropriate Second Testament passages are examined. The model centers upon three aspects of the role of women growing out of the social structure of agrarian households: (1) the care of households; (2) the bearing of children; and, (3) the public and private behavioral expectations of women. Through the delegated authority of her husband a wife manages the domestic realm. A woman's "salvation" is through bearing children, many children if possible, and especially sons. A woman's place is within the private world of the household. The public realm belongs to men. The Second Testament evidence supports the model as described. Significant passages which appear to negate the model do not do so upon closer examination.