The role and perception of women are constantly going through multiple transformations. Developing countries from Eastern Asia and Africa apply the re-evaluated feministic models to integrate women in man-dominated societies. More women are assigned to political management and take responsible positions in church and business, and the tendency seems to remain in the years to come. This paper aims to discuss the role of women in church, politics, and society.
The role of women in the church is determined by the role women had in ancient society and is reflected in the Bible. In the New Testament, Mark 16:9, it is stated that Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared first to Mary Magdalene and told her to go and tell the good news to all the Christians (King James Bible para. 9). Jesus rose from death and could have appeared to anyone, but he chose a woman. This episode can be considered evidence of a special, sublime relationship between men and women, as they complement each other with their innate qualities. It is surprising that the patriarchal society of the following centuries stubbornly denied and belittled the divinity of such interaction.
However, since the Christian faith supports the idea of equality and justice, Christian women had some opportunities for self-realization. For example, in early Christianity, there were communities led and accepted exclusively by women to protect them from encroachments on their bodies, lives, and freedom. In later times of the Early Middle Ages, the Catholic Church became a stronghold for women’s writing, publishing diaries, memoirs, and chronicles. No less important, the Catholic Church introduced the archetype of a woman-mother, worthy of love, respect, and reverence, rooted in the image of the Virgin Mary. This archetype later allowed women to take their place in politics and add to the economic and scientific society’s development.
Thus, the role of women in church, politics, and society was discussed. The Christian faith represents two archetypes of a woman, a wife, and a mother. Despite the just criticism of the Catholic Church, it had a decisive influence on the women’s role in society, including political and economic impact and contribution. Equally important, the Bible provides the context for understanding the woman as a spiritual entity in idealized dualistic interaction with man.
Work Cited
Mark 16:9. Holy Bible. King James Bible Online, Web.