The orthodox Christian doctrine includes patriarchal views. It is commonly believed and taught in churches that women are divinely ordained to be submitted to males, to serve males, and that their divine role is to have children and take care of house. They are prohibited to have any spiritual authority, they cant teach scripture and doctrine or officially hold any office of a pastor, bishop or elder. Women are taught to submit themselves to their husbands in everything and take a secondary role in the marriage.
Churches that do ordain women pastors and allow their presence on the preaching podiums are often labeled heretic, too liberal, or under a curse. Female pastors and evangelists are many times an easy target for verbal abuse- such as name calling ( witch, Jezebel, feminist ..etc.) , and in many cases – they are forced to step down from the ministry.
Yes , the orthodox Christianity claims a monopoly on doctrinal and biblical interpretations and they are quick to hand out a “list of heresies to avoid” – among them being female equality with the male.
The intensity of patriarchal views and practices varies from church to church – and from denomination to a denomination. Some churches enforce head coverings for women as an outside symbol of submission and subservience , others prohibit women to wear some types of clothing ( pants ) or prescribe long hair , in other churches women may feel quite “free”, but they are still prohibited from exercising any leadership positions and are always reminded to “keep their place”.
In other words, there is simply no unison agreement among churches how far can patriarchy be enforced and what specific do’s and don’ts are for the female body of Christ.
While most Christian churches teach that we are in the age of grace and the Law is looked upon as done away with , or, hanged to a cross – they hypocritically feel free to prescribe unending set of laws for the female population of churches.
In my series ” The Patriarchy Gone Wrong” I will examine different denominations and their beliefs and practice when it comes to so called headship doctrine. As you will see, patriarchy qualifies as idolatry and it is a very destructive, dangerous practice to women and girls.
True Father does not approve of patriarchy. True faith includes women as full members of the Body of Christ , in which they are not only free to have spiritual authority, but in fact, they absolutely must follow the Holy Spirit and answer the spiritual call on their life.
by Jana Bennun
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