The following was written by John Bunyan in part 2 of his Pilgrim’s Progress. I think it is quite remarkable AND very biblical. The character making these statements is one Gaius, a wise old Christian fashioned after the Gaius of Scripture who hosted the Apostle Paul –
“I will now speak on the behalf of women, to take away their reproach. For as death and the curse came into the world by a woman, so also did life and health: ‘God sent forth His Son, born of a woman.’ I will say again, that when the Saviour was come, women rejoiced in Him before either man or angel. I read not that man ever gave unto Christ so much as one penny; but the women followed Him, and ministered to Him of their substance. ‘Twas a woman that washed His feet with tears, and a woman that anointed His body to the burial. They were women that wept when He was going to the cross, and women that followed Him from the cross; and that sat over against the sepulchre when He was buried. They were women that were first with Him at His resurrection-morn, and women that brought tidings first to His disciples that He was risen from the dead. Women, therefore, are highly favored, and show by these things that they are sharers with us in the grace of life.” [The Pilgrim’s Progress, the Second Part, by John Bunyan]
It would do very well for the pastors and elders and other men in the church to review these observations and adjust their attitude toward women where it does not square with God’s Word.
One of the identifying signs of a RASN is how he would respond to a statement like this one of Bunyan’s. A godly man responds positively and agrees that women are to be highly esteemed, whereas an abuser would scoff at it. It’s very telling to see a man’s response when women are recognized in this way.
The RASN I knew would act like he wholeheartedly agreed with this view of women, but then treat me (and other women, including our four daughters) the opposite. Thank God that he set us free!
Thank you, Pastor Jeff, for sharing the truth about women, and I think the heart of our Savior. As a woman, I have often reflected about the women around Jesus, whether at the well, or at the empty tomb. I cherish the special way that Jesus relates to me as well. It is hard to explain to others because it personal and honoring at the same time.