Satan In Sacred Texts: Misogyny And Barbarity Towards Women
Satan in Sacred Texts
By: Carrie-Anne Prudence
201494547
RELS 3302-001
Within the bible there are a distinctive and shocking amount of passages referring to Satan. More specifically, the topic of misogyny and barbarity towards women, which has sparked a lot of debate. Central to this debate, are the Pauline and duetero-Pauline epistles, which hold conflicting views upon Satan and the treatment of women. Within this essay 3 different texts will be analyzed and compared in relation with this topic. 1 Timothy, a duetero-Pauline epistle presents a view of the devil that is more similar to the Book of the Watchers, than it is to 1 Corinthians, a definite Pauline epistle. This seems to support the scholarly opinion …show more content…
This letter is written in a way that is not consistent with any of Paul’s other texts. The letter itself has misogynistic tones, and emphasizes inequality between males and females, old and young, deacons, widows and other groups. The most shocking portrayal of misogyny is in 1 Timothy 2, where it is stated that women must live in full submission, be quiet, and not to assume authority over a man (1Timothy, 2, English Standard Version). This is where most skepticism has arisen as to whether or not this passage was written by Paul. In Many of Paul’s previous writings, such as Galatians, he stresses the equality of all groups, “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, New International Version). Satan is also evident in 1 Timothy 3 where the deacons are warned against Satan’s sin of pride, “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” (1 Timothy, 3:6, New International Version). The passage expresses this as a test, and warns that Satan waits to take advantage of the deacons, and if they pass this test then they are a worthy deacon, “they must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons” (1 Timothy, 3:10, New International Version). Satan is also …show more content…
However, after analyzing other texts, it becomes evident that Paul was most likely not the author of this letter. The other Pauline letters are much more consistent with Paul, in that they discuss equality of men and women and the ability to live a fully devoted Christian life. Both the Book of Enoch and 1 Timothy are believed to have been written in a much earlier time, perhaps even before Paul lived, once again proving that Paul could not be the author of 1 Timothy (Derynck, 2013). Considering they were both written in earlier times, could also provide a reason as to why they hold the language and tone that they do. In those times, the treatment of women and slaves would have been much different than today, or even when Paul lived. Misogyny and mistreatment of women is inconsistent with Paul’s preaching in 1 Corinthians and in other books that we are all equal, and considered God’s
By: Carrie-Anne Prudence
201494547
RELS 3302-001
Within the bible there are a distinctive and shocking amount of passages referring to Satan. More specifically, the topic of misogyny and barbarity towards women, which has sparked a lot of debate. Central to this debate, are the Pauline and duetero-Pauline epistles, which hold conflicting views upon Satan and the treatment of women. Within this essay 3 different texts will be analyzed and compared in relation with this topic. 1 Timothy, a duetero-Pauline epistle presents a view of the devil that is more similar to the Book of the Watchers, than it is to 1 Corinthians, a definite Pauline epistle. This seems to support the scholarly opinion …show more content…
This letter is written in a way that is not consistent with any of Paul’s other texts. The letter itself has misogynistic tones, and emphasizes inequality between males and females, old and young, deacons, widows and other groups. The most shocking portrayal of misogyny is in 1 Timothy 2, where it is stated that women must live in full submission, be quiet, and not to assume authority over a man (1Timothy, 2, English Standard Version). This is where most skepticism has arisen as to whether or not this passage was written by Paul. In Many of Paul’s previous writings, such as Galatians, he stresses the equality of all groups, “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, New International Version). Satan is also evident in 1 Timothy 3 where the deacons are warned against Satan’s sin of pride, “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” (1 Timothy, 3:6, New International Version). The passage expresses this as a test, and warns that Satan waits to take advantage of the deacons, and if they pass this test then they are a worthy deacon, “they must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons” (1 Timothy, 3:10, New International Version). Satan is also …show more content…
However, after analyzing other texts, it becomes evident that Paul was most likely not the author of this letter. The other Pauline letters are much more consistent with Paul, in that they discuss equality of men and women and the ability to live a fully devoted Christian life. Both the Book of Enoch and 1 Timothy are believed to have been written in a much earlier time, perhaps even before Paul lived, once again proving that Paul could not be the author of 1 Timothy (Derynck, 2013). Considering they were both written in earlier times, could also provide a reason as to why they hold the language and tone that they do. In those times, the treatment of women and slaves would have been much different than today, or even when Paul lived. Misogyny and mistreatment of women is inconsistent with Paul’s preaching in 1 Corinthians and in other books that we are all equal, and considered God’s