The Bible Message without Patriarchy

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 48 from the New Heart English Bible.  In this chapter, one of the Hebrew names for God compares the provision of God to the life giving nurturance of a mother.  We also see that God disregards patriarchal tradition by passing over first born sons to grant blessings to younger siblings.  We also see that patriarchy has nothing to do with the message of salvation--a message that is received only through repentance and faith.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 47 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  In this story, Joseph's leadership saves Egypt during a time of famine.  History and archaeology give us an in-depth look at the culture of ancient Egypt.  Central to this culture was the religious concept of Ma'at.  Ma'at taught that male authority was part of the "order of nature" ordained by the gods.  It was believed that observing Ma'at would bring prosperity to the land.  We trace the influence of this belief from ancient Egypt to Greece, and finally to the Roman church of the 4th century AD.  Borrowing from these ancient sources, today's complementarian leaders continue to confuse the core beliefs of an idolatrous religion with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

In this podcast episode, we read portions of Genesis chapter 46 from the Berean Study Bible.  In this story, Israel and all of his family move to the land of Goshen in Egypt.  Unfortunately, a Bible commentary on this passage wrongly depicts racial segregation as God's will.  The author of the commentary similarly believed that God made women subordinate to men.  Today, this commentary and others like it are used to defend both racism and sexism.  Neither of these examples of social injustice reflect an accurate reading of the Bible, or the loving heart of God.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 45 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  In this passage, Joseph reveals his true identify to his brothers.  He also makes provision for his whole family to be cared for in Egypt, during a time of famine.  Certain English translations of this passage modify the text to support a deterministic view of God.  These modifications are absent from our oldest available Bible manuscripts.  Theologians who held these deterministic views also insisted that women must be subject to the will of men.  Through this podcast, the errors of these men are highlighted and corrected.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 44 from the Good News Bible, Today's English Version.  In this story, Judah shows us what it means to repent.  His actions also prophetically foreshadow the Easter Story of Jesus' atoning death on the cross.

In our 50th podcast episode, on International Women's Day, we focus on exposing and removing a sexist bias from the following passages, as they are wrongly portrayed in the ESV Study Bible: -Genesis 3:16 -Ephesians 5:22 -Titus 2:3-5 -Romans 16:7 Male authority is nowhere depicted in the Bible as God's plan.  Rather, it is portrayed as the tragic outcome of humanity's decision to turn away from God, and try to make our way without Him. The Christian message is one of hope and deliverance from social injustice: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."  (Galatians 3:28)

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 43 from the Good News Translation of the Bible, Today's English Version.  In this story, we see Joseph finally reunited with his family.  Unfortunately, the Good News Bible makes an error in the translation of an important verse in this passage.  This error, and others like it, stem from Latin translations of the Bible in the 4th century AD that began to marginalize the Jewish People.  Similar translation errors, made by theologians of the same era, also began to marginalize women.  At this time in history, the church had newly become an arm of the Roman state--a state that was prejudiced against women and Jews.  In this episode, we restore the original meaning of the passage, as found in ancient Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic manuscripts--all of which were written long before the 4th century AD.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 42 from the Good New Translation, Today's English Version.  In this story, we see that Joseph was chosen by God to be Governor of Egypt.  Joseph was chosen because he was filled with God's Holy Spirit, who gave him greater wisdom and insight than any other person.  In addition to being filled with God's Spirit, Joseph was also strongly emotional, and this did not disqualify him from a position of leadership.  Ironically, patriarchal theologians have wrongfully accused women of being "too emotional to lead." 

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 41:1-41 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  In this story, God warns the King of Egypt through his dreams that a famine is coming.  Joseph correctly interprets these dreams, and then helps Egypt prepare for the coming hardship.  As a result, Joseph is elevated to a position of power in Egypt.  As strange as it may seem, influential patriarchal theologians--past and present--make an inaccurate assumption about God, based on this story.  This faulty assumption is then used to justify the subjugation of women to male authority.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 39 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  In this story, Potiphar's wife attempts to commit adultery with Joseph, and then falsely accuses him of rape.  In almost every English translation of the Bible Joseph is described as "well-built and good looking."  Two English Bibles, however, omit this information.  They are the Geneva Bible and the King James Version.  Written during the rise of the Puritan movement, it seems their translators were concerned that it might be sinful to draw attention to someone's physical appearance.  Doing so, it was believed, might even "cause others to stumble."  For centuries, this way of thinking has made women feel responsible for the sexual conduct of men.  Joseph's appearance, however, did not cause Potiphar's wife to make her sinful choices.  Similarly, a woman's appearance is never responsible for the sexual behavior of men.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 38 from the New English Translation of the Bible.  This passage has been frequently misused to demonize human sexuality.  The story also highlights double standards and oppressive traditions that are often found in patriarchal cultures.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 37 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version. This story tells us how Joseph, Jacob's favorite son, was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Envy and strife were connected to Jacob's practice of polygamy. It was a longstanding ancient custom for Jewish men to have either more than one wife at a time, or more than one wife in succession. In the New Testament, both Jesus and the apostle Paul confronted these practices. Sadly, some patriarchal theologians take Paul's words out of context, in an attempt to prevent women from sharing leadership positions in the church.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 35:16-21 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  We read about the death of Rachel in childbirth, and how God responds to her tears with a promise of redemption for her children.

In this episode, we read Genesis 35:1-15 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  Jacob and his family turn from idolatry.  This entails leaving behind jewelry that was engraved with the images of Canaanite gods.  This does not mean that women may not wear jewelry.  It also does not suggest that the outward beauty of women will "cause men to stumble."  In addition to examining the original meaning of Genesis 35, we also investigate the meaning of other biblical "modesty" passages, in their original languages and contexts. 

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 34 from the Good News Bible, Today's English Version.  We read about the rape of Dinah, Jacob and Leah's daughter.  We also confront patriarchal commentary on this passage that blames women for the sexual crimes of men.

In this episode, we read Genesis chapters 32 and 33 from the Good News Translation of the Bible, Today's English Version. In this story, Jacob humbles himself before his brother Esau, hoping that Esau will not seek revenge for being tricked out of his birthright. The language of this passage in the Greek Septuagint helps us to accurately translate 1 Peter 3:1-6. In this New Testament passage, when properly translated, wives are not told to “accept the authority” of their husbands; nor does Sarah “obey” Abraham, calling him “master.”

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 30:25 to 31:55 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  In this story, Laban tries to control Jacob through divination and deceit.  Jacob is delivered when he has faith in God's promise to him.  When fleeing from Laban, Rachel does something that could symbolize an important truth.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 29:31 - Genesis 30:24 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  This story tells us how two sisters sought love or social standing by giving birth to male children.  Sadly, some movements claiming to be "Christian" have twisted passages from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible in an attempt to portray marriage, motherhood and housekeeping as "God's will" for all women.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 29:1-30 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version. Many English translations of this passage do not accurately reflect what ancient Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts say about Leah. Also, though this passage contains historical examples of polygamy, slavery and patriarchy; none of these ancient customs are depicted as “God's will.”

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 28 from the Common English Bible.  A thorough investigation of the Bible's language and context reveals that God stands opposed to racism and sexism, as well as the violence that often results from prejudice.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 27:1-45 from the International Standard Version of the Bible.  In this story, Jacob receives a blessing intended for his older brother Esau.  We also examine the ancient cultural viewpoint that hairiness and "manliness" are prerequisites for leadership.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 26:1-11 from the International Standard Version of the Bible.  In this story, Isaac fails to learn from his father Abraham's mistakes.  Acting on fear and false assumptions, he relates to Abimelech and the Philistines in a manner that causes strife and distrust.  Similarly, throughout church history, fear and false assumptions have led to the oppressive treatment of women and indigenous peoples.

In this podcast episode, we examine a common misinterpretation of God's prophecy to Rebekah, found in Genesis 25:23.  We also confront John Calvin's view of women, and his belief that God arbitrarily chooses some people for heaven and others for hell.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 25:27-34 from the Common English Bible.  In this story, Esau sells his birthright to his younger brother Jacob.  Were patriarchal customs like the inheritance rights of first born sons "God-ordained," or are they an example of fallen human culture?

In today's podcast episode, we read Genesis 25:19-26 from the Common English Bible.  Isaac's wife Rebekah goes directly to God with concerns about her pregnancy.  God answers her directly, and gives her a prophetic message about the future relationship between the descendants of her two sons.  This passage, and many others found in the New Testament, directly contradict the false teaching that men are the prophets, priests and kings of their households.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 24 from the New English Translation of the Bible.  In this passage, Rebekah is chosen to be Isaac's wife.  We also challenge patriarchal traditions related to bridal veils and head coverings.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 23 from the Common English Bible (CEB).  We learn about Sarah's death, and Abraham's purchase of a burial site for his beloved wife.  This burial property in Hebron is the world's most ancient Jewish site.  After hundreds of years of captivity in Egypt, God returned His people to Hebron.  They found their way back to the land of promise only by trusting and following God.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 22:1-19 from the International Standard Version of the Bible.  God tests Abraham's faith in a story that foreshadows the coming of the Messiah.  This story points ahead to passages in the New Testament that explain how we can have our sins forgiven.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 21:1-21 from the International Standard Version (ISV) of the Bible.  In this passage, God tells Abraham to listen to his wife Sarah.  God wants men to listen to women.  He wants husbands to listen to their wives.  He wants churches to respond to abuse by prioritizing the safety of victims.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 20:14-18 from the Common English Bible. In this story, God confronts Abimelech for adding another man's wife to his harem.  We also read additional Old and New Testament passages that address the issues of infidelity and polygamy.  Patriarchal theology has distorted the meaning of all of these passages in a way that is detrimental to women.  When read in context and in their oldest available languages, however, each of these passages is a warning against sinful behavior being committed by men.    

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 20:1-13 from the Common English Bible.  In this passage, Abraham expects Sarah to mislead others on his behalf.  This story raises an important question: "Does the Bible teach wives to 'obey' their husbands?"  To answer this question, we examine what the New Testament teaches about marriage relationships.  We examine verses in Ephesians chapter 5 and 1st Peter chapter 3, specifically focusing on the language of "headship" and "submission," and the meaning of these terms to a first century, Greek-speaking audience.

In today's podcast episode, we read Genesis 19:29-38 from the Common English Bible.  In this disturbing passage, the two adult daughters of Lot decided to serve their father enough wine to make him drunk, so that they could have sex with him without his knowledge or consent.  Ancient traditions about this passage actually blame Lot for the sexual assault committed against him.  Both rape and victim-blaming are prevalent in too many cultures today.  Only by holding offenders fully responsible for their own actions can we ever hope to truly promote much needed change. 

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 19:14-28 from the Common English Bible.  We distinguish between horribly inaccurate commentary, and what the Bible actually says about Lot's wife.  We then examine Jesus' prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, and how he compares these events to the destruction of Sodom.  In both cases, people are urged to immediately flee from evil, and from God's judgment against it.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 19:1-5 from the Common English Bible, and Genesis 19:6-13 from the Good New Translation.  Once again, we identify and correct androcentric language found in the English Standard Version (ESV).  In this passage, we see God's response to ongoing sexual violence.  We also learn that trusting in human strength does not lead to a positive outcome.  Speaking to the New Testament church, the apostle Paul warns against depending on human leaders, rather than on Jesus Christ.  Today, the church must turn aside from trusting in "male leadership," and depend instead upon God's Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 18:16-33 from the Common English Bible.  We identify a problem with some English translations that are based on a scribal notation in the Masoretic Text.  The Masoretes embraced oral traditions that rejected Jesus as the Messiah, and also excluded women from leadership. After correcting the assumptions of the Masoretic scribes, we then focus on the actual meaning of this passage: God balances justice with mercy, as He considers the crimes of Sodom.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 18:1-15 from the Common English Bible.  We also read Hebrews 11:11 from the International Standard Version.  Both passages describe Sarah's response to God's promised blessing of a miraculous child.  We address patriarchal translation and commentary that attempts to exclude Sarah from a list of positive role models--all of whom accomplished great things through faith.

In this podcast episode, we read some sections of Genesis chapter 17 from the Common English Bible, and others from the Darby Translation.  In this passage, in its original Hebrew language, we find a powerful feminine image for God.  This chapter also helps us understand the symbolic meaning of the Old Testament ritual of circumcision.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 16 from the New International Version of the Bible.  This passage contradicts a number of patriarchal assumptions about the manner in which God relates to women.  Unfortunately, its message has been badly obscured by prejudiced translation and commentary.  In our oldest available manuscripts, we see that a woman names God, and that God meets with her in her place of distress.

In this podcast episode, we read portions of Genesis chapters 14 and 15 from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.  We challenge an English translation that suggests leadership should pass from one generation to the next through "male heirs."  We then explore God's message concerning Abram, that righteousness comes through faith.  We also see that God is patient with those who do wrong, granting them time to repent before the day of judgment.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 13 from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.  We begin by identifying that a number of English translations use androcentric language in this passage.  They include the ESV, KJV and NASB.  We then focus on God's promise to give the land of Canaan to Abram and Sarai's descendants, the Israelites, "forever."  If God made such a promise to the children of Abram, why was Israel later expelled from the land God had given them, and sent into exile?  This passage sheds important light on issues related to God's promises and humanity's response.

In this episode, we read Genesis 12:10-20 from the Common English Bible.  We read about Abram's fear that Pharaoh will kill him and take his wife, on account of her beauty.  We also examine an unhealthy culture in some churches that holds women responsible for the sexual sins of men.

In this episode, we read Genesis 12:1-9 in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.  We learn about God's promise to bless Abram and his descendants.  In the New Testament, John the Baptist, Jesus and the apostle Paul explain what it means to be "children of Abraham."  Their message did not agree with the prejudiced views of the religious leaders of the day.          

In this episode, we read Genesis chapter 11 from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.  This translation uses gender-accurate language in this passage.  The story of the Tower of Babel highlights how God responds to human arrogance.  It also demonstrates that we cannot reach heaven by our own efforts.  The blessing of God is a gift that cannot be earned; it is something that can only be humbly received through faith.

In this episode, we read portions of Genesis chapter 10 from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. We highlight how racist commentaries of this passage have been used to rationalize the injustice of slavery. We also highlight how commentaries have used similar arguments to justify the subjugation of women. By looking carefully at this passage, we demonstrate that Genesis chapter 10 does not condone either racism or slavery. God loves every human being equally and impartially, and followers of Jesus Christ are called to do the same.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 9:18-29 from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. We identify and correct a racist interpretation of this passage that has historically been used to justify slavery. We then explore God's response to the sins of Ham and the people of Canaan.

In this podcast episode, we read the story of the flood from an English translation of the Bible that is gender-accurate in these specific passages.  We learn that God sent a great flood to cover all the earth, when He saw that human beings had become bent on violence and murder.  In His mercy, God provided a means of escape for one righteous man and his family.  After the flood, God made a pledge not to ever again cover all the earth with water.  He also established a law that human beings may not take the life of another innocent person, because all of us--male and female--are made in God's image, and are members of the same human family. 

In this episode, we read Genesis chapter 6, verses 5-22 from an English translation that uses gender-accurate language.  This passage tells us of God's response to deliberate and continuous violence.  It also tells us of God's plan to save Noah and his family from the injustice of that age, and God's judgment against it.

In this podcast episode, we correct a patriarchal misuse of Genesis chapter 6, verses 1-4.  St. Augustine used this passage to claim that women equal sin, and must therefore be ruled by men.  In reality, the passage focuses on the sins of fallen angels, and their influence on humankind.

In this episode we read portions of Genesis chapter 5 from the New English Translation of the Bible.  We learn that God created both male and female in His image, and gave them the name "adam," which is properly translated into English as "humankind."  We also read about a remarkable man named Enoch, who was taken up to heaven without seeing death.

In this episode, we read Genesis chapter 4 from the New International Version of the Bible.  This passage highlights the influence of sin on human relationships.  We find examples of rivalry, jealousy, murder, deception, polygamy and a cycle of revenge.  God warns human beings to say "no" to sin, so that we do not experience negative natural consequences.  Sadly, one verse in this passage has been mistranslated and misused to once again rationalize the male subjugation of women.  That verse is Genesis 4:7.  We examine the oldest available manuscript evidence related to this verse, so that patriarchal bias in translation and commentary can be removed.  

In this episode we read Genesis chapter 3.  It was necessary to read from two different English versions of the Bible to get an accurate translation, free of patriarchal bias.  The first portion of the chapter is read from the New International Version; the second is read from the Common English Bible.  We then explore how complementarian theology makes a number of assumptions about this passage that contradict what we find in the oldest available Bible manuscripts.  Once these patriarchal assumptions are addressed, we are then able to reflect on the intended meaning of the passage.  We highlight details of humanity's first sin, as well as its tragic consequences.