I’ve experienced deep, deep grief, a sense of mourning, sadness, frustration, and relief while reading this book. 10 Lies the Church Tells Women by Lee Grady exposes how the Bible has been misused to keep women in spiritual bondage.
The grieving of the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me as I read misguided quotes from theologians, historians, philosophers and well-meaning Pastors. I definitely felt frustration at the unbelievable misinterpretation of Scripture, the abuse and intolerance of the believers who have bought into the bias of ignorance and stupidity that has been passed down through the centuries. (Too rediculous to dignify on my blog). Yet, I was so very grateful to live in our century and in
Since I have grown up in a denomination that is more open to women in ministry and has used them as Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, Presbyters and in our headquarters to oversee ministries, I had no idea how oppressed other women have been in other churches. Women at times are just as guilty of the gender bias believing that they are following “scriptural mandates.”
I was also appalled at the amount of physical abuse apparent in evangelical churches where Pastors or leaders encourage the women to stay in the abuse, submit to the husband and just pray – even to the point of some being murdered. Their blood may be upon our hands if we do not seek out the truth.
Lethargy can definitely be detected as generation after generation perpetuates the lies, imprisoning more and more women, keeping them from fulfilling their God given design and gifts. It’s easier to just believe the lie than go against the tide of evil prejudice and disdain. It’s easier to just be told “this is the truth” than to learn for ourselves.
God has so much more for His daughters – your daughters, sisters, mothers and friends. God has so much more for our sons – your sons, brothers, fathers and friends. This lie has affected the men and entrapped them in having to be “everything” instead of sharing the load with their “counterpart, partner, Ezer – shield, warrior, life protector. God’s Divine Design of “cultivating, subduing and ruling together – man and woman is screaming to be fulfilled. The Cross not only redeemed our spiritually dead souls and made us alive to God, but the consequences of the Fall for man and woman so they can fulfill their original design. The gap between what has been redeemed and what is reality is grieving the heart of God and crippling the church.
Lee communicates his passion to see these lies refuted in Choleric style proclaiming the truth boldly. If you need a more Melancholy sensitive explanation go to God’s Women: Now and Then by Dr. Deborah Gill and Barbara Cavnass. But by all means, do not put your head in the sand and go along with the status quo. God is passionately in love with His daughters and is pursuing their freedom and dignity through raising up many voices. Whether you agree or not; at least be curious enough to read a book.
