Slavery and women

I saw the movie "Amazing Grace" about abolitionist William Wilberforce. I admit I saw it mainly because it had Ioan Gruffudd in it. But as well as that it was a fantastic movie! It really made the point that the Abolitionists as a political force were motivated by their Christian ideals. Despite the fact that abolition of slavery isn't actually mentioned in the Bible. At all. In spite of the fact that the Bible speaks quite matter-of-factly about slavery, and lays down circumstances and rules for it, and the Bible has even been used to justify slavery, apparently.

But there is a trajectory of freedom in the Bible, and there is a Christian principle of justice to others. In the early parts of the Hebrew Bible slavery is accepted and there are lots of rules about it. Later in the Hebrew Bible there are tighter rules on slavery which give slaves more rights and restrict the freedom of slave owners. Moving into the New Testament it is clear that within the church slaves are to be regarded as free and equal brothers in Christ (Galatians again). It seems a logical step to say that complete abolition of slavery is a continuation of this trajectory, and the ultimate expression of Christian justice and love.

I think a similar trajectory of freedom and rights for women can be seen in the Bible. In the Early Church there clearly were women leaders and teachers - Lydia, Priscilla, Eunice, Junia and others. There were also women disciples, particularly and especially Mary of Bethany, whose right to sit at the feet of the rabbi and learn was defended by Jesus (as opposed to being banished to the kitchen, which appears to have been the usual social expectation of the time.)

Unfortunately, the full fledged partnership of women and men remains to be realized fully in the church. It is a shame (and I mean that quite literally) that women have more freedom and respect in society at large than in the (institutional) church. The church should be leading the charge for women's full equality and full participation in everything, not just in cleaning up the kitchen and the "choir ministry". I hope to see a time when women will be accepted as ministers and priests, as leaders, as teachers, as pastors and as the spiritual leaders of their households (as they are gifted to be.) I hope to see a time when women and men will work alongside one another, each using their gifts and talents to the utmost in the service of God's work. I'd like to see that.