Everyone. Not one group. Not some groups. Not even most people. All people.
I thought this conversation was antiquated. I thought it was a no-brainer. Why would we be having this conversation now? Why is it even an issue? I don't know, but apparently it still is. I am thinking in particular about sexism, though it is also an issue with sexuality, race, and socio-economics (why do we have to talk about this again?).
Let me first present the Christian argument for equality.
Whatever argument one makes about the Old Testament scripture is invalid. Remember that was the Old Covenant and Jesus' message is the New Covenant. Therefore Jesus' message supersedes any law or principles in the Old Testament.
Now, let's also consider the fact that the Bible is a collection of texts deemed important by a group of men during a time when equality was an incredibly radical concept. Let's also remember these texts a're translations and some words have been extrapolated or reinterpreted and many translations borrow cultural concepts from previous ones.
So...with all those caveats...
Jesus, during a time when men were considered more important than women, spent time with women. The woman at the well is often cited as the first missionary. Women stayed at the cross when the male disciples fled. Women went to the tomb and saw Jesus first. Jesus held up the marginalized as important - as worthy of attention and value. He spent as much time with children, lepers, and women as he did anyone else. His actions say it all - we are all equal in the eyes of God. We all are valuable and deserving.
Some will say, but Jesus was a man. Yes. Jesus did have a penis. But let's remember the time - would a Jesusita been received as well? Had as great an impact? No. A woman wouldn't have been listened to in the same way as a man during that period. The argument that because Jesus is a man that leadership should be male is based on false logic.
And this is a different day in a different age.
So I say again, why are we even having this conversation?
