tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post5872459801324645703..comments2023-12-27T19:24:48.254-05:00Comments on Tell me why the world is weird: As a woman, I will read Esther on my own terms, thank you very muchperfectnumber628http://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-65404454066371562442012-10-02T10:19:46.593-04:002012-10-02T10:19:46.593-04:00Thanks! ^_^Thanks! ^_^perfectnumber628http://tellmewhytheworldisweird.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-69047076091288358212012-10-02T08:02:40.841-04:002012-10-02T08:02:40.841-04:00Try "Judith." I'm a dude and it gets...Try "Judith." I'm a dude and it gets my blood turning cold and my eyes popping out and my mouth praising God. <br /><br /><br />Appreciate your post, though. It's a good point. I think feminist thinking has sold us the line that "if it's not about women, it's not for women," which is (in every case I can imagine) false.Keith Buhlerhttp://twitter.com/Keith_Buhlernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-8824136317293515502012-07-25T21:35:41.701-04:002012-07-25T21:35:41.701-04:00Wow that's a good point about the violent thin...Wow that's a good point about the violent things that women in the bible did, and how no one talks about them, even though we talk about Samson, David, etc. Or the idea that women doing that violent stuff in war is STRANGE and needs an explanation.perfectnumber628https://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-64591000316458437512012-07-25T17:19:29.763-04:002012-07-25T17:19:29.763-04:00Excellent post! I would WAY rather fight dragons t...Excellent post! I would WAY rather fight dragons than look at pretty flowers and pastel colors (I don't have anything against flowers, just if there's a choice it's dragons every time!)<br />Something that I've noticed is that if I mention Jael, the woman who killed Sisera by driving a tent peg through his head, or the woman who killed Abimelech with a millstone, people have no idea what I'm talking about. Now, I'm obviously not advocating these women as literal role models so that all the girls start going around stabbing people in the head, but why is it that everyone knows about the violent escapades of Samson and David but not the bravery of Jael? <br />And how come there's not more studies on Deborah, the only female judge of Israel, who is AWESOME? I have a women's study bible, but it tends to really push 1950's traditional gender roles. For instance, regarding Deborah's decision to ride to war with the army, the writing in the side bar highlights that she would have been just as happy staying home with the kids: the important thing was that she was following God. True, but why is that not discussed regarding the men in the Bible? I personally don't find it the least bit surprising that women in the Bible sometimes commit acts of violence in the name of God, the same as the men, but often when I bring up the stories of these women, people haven't read these parts or my study bible feels an extra explanation is required to justify her "strange" behavior.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08779263380644328589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-6716576058414856352012-07-03T07:53:13.770-04:002012-07-03T07:53:13.770-04:00I'm with you, sister. i was single at the tim...I'm with you, sister. i was single at the time I was involved with this Bible study which used the story of Esther to 'highlight the importance of taking time to be beautiful', and I was a bit confused. Now I'm reading Esther on my own terms :-) <br />Looking forward to reading more of your blog posts in the future :-) God bless you!Viva Feministahttp://vivafeminista.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-29149638247594708322012-06-12T16:45:45.273-04:002012-06-12T16:45:45.273-04:00Haha. :DHaha. :Dperfectnumber628https://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-21753442117680680532012-06-12T12:49:31.474-04:002012-06-12T12:49:31.474-04:00heh
My wife and I were just talking this morning a...heh<br />My wife and I were just talking this morning about her and dragon slaying. Dragons are awesome.<br /><br />Just for the record, I used to be a youth pastor, and I taught Esther and Ruth to all the kids; it never occurred to me that those bits were only for girls. I guess I was doing it all wrong. Especially since I taught all the kids about the disciples, too (a fairly indpeth study, too); I guess I failed in that by not kicking the girls out when we were doing those lessons.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-25522275264506050702012-06-12T11:01:06.135-04:002012-06-12T11:01:06.135-04:00That is a really good point.That is a really good point.perfectnumber628https://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-17082073972660047722012-06-12T10:59:24.994-04:002012-06-12T10:59:24.994-04:00"Isn't the purpose of Biblical study to (..."Isn't the purpose of Biblical study to (a) learn more about God / Jesus / Holy Spirit, and (b) learn how to live as a Christian. Those are all fairly gender neutral topics..."<br /><br />Well-said.perfectnumber628https://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-36264814868439173252012-06-12T10:56:11.346-04:002012-06-12T10:56:11.346-04:00So true! Every Christian has to fight against thi...So true! Every Christian has to fight against things- maybe the "dragons" are temptation, doubt, etc.perfectnumber628https://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-90190927449927399932012-06-12T10:51:25.346-04:002012-06-12T10:51:25.346-04:00Haha, thanks!Haha, thanks!perfectnumber628https://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-60511105395697101612012-06-12T00:15:40.172-04:002012-06-12T00:15:40.172-04:00Agree. Isn't the purpose of Biblical study to...Agree. Isn't the purpose of Biblical study to (a) learn more about God / Jesus / Holy Spirit, and (b) learn how to live as a Christian. Those are all fairly gender neutral topics, unless you're a hard-core complementarian (and then the difference between a male Christian's religious practices and a female Christian's religious practices are going to be greater than the differences between a devout Christian's and a devout Muslim's daily religious practice. Sad but true.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-59489289153910860152012-06-12T00:12:58.803-04:002012-06-12T00:12:58.803-04:00I agree that Beth Moore's talks aren't gen...I agree that Beth Moore's talks aren't gender-specific, either in focus or delivery. That said, I sit through most of them thinking how incredibly blessed the men of the church would be if they too could hear her teaching, her perspectives, a different spin on the passages they've heard so many times. The gender divide ends up depriving them of so many opportunities for spiritual growth, just as it does us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-37832748311883189632012-06-11T22:11:46.333-04:002012-06-11T22:11:46.333-04:00Seriously! We all face dragons. There's a quot...Seriously! We all face dragons. There's a quote attributed to G.K. Chesterton - “Fairy Tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” Both women and men need to learn that! One of my favorite fictional couples is actually Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese from Terminator for that reason. Sarah Connor really rises to the occasion when her world is threatened and fights alongside the male character - not so much as a "feminist" statement, but because it was necessary. As much as I hope I never have to face murderous time-traveling robot-human hybrids from the future, I want to be someone (and to be with someone!) who can protect and defend others and rise to the occasion when challenged.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-2832727006984894782012-06-11T19:20:43.067-04:002012-06-11T19:20:43.067-04:00Thank you for making me laugh my head off!! And I ...Thank you for making me laugh my head off!! And I mean that as a complement! Your writing style cracks me up, and I totally agree with your thoughts on lopsided women's ministry. All the floral, pastel stuff repels me too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-77246387943583418842012-06-11T14:24:16.310-04:002012-06-11T14:24:16.310-04:00Thanks for you comment! It's good to hear a m...Thanks for you comment! It's good to hear a man perspective on this, and also good to know you believe "there is no male or female in Christ" and are "not quiet". ^_^perfectnumber628https://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-75442525596737865312012-06-11T14:01:47.518-04:002012-06-11T14:01:47.518-04:00Thanks for your comment! Whoa, if Esther is someh...Thanks for your comment! Whoa, if Esther is somehow about "beautifying yourself for your husband" then what does that say to single women...<br /><br />Yeah I agree with you that Esther and Ruth are cool and we can learn from them, but the focus is totally disproportionate.perfectnumber628https://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-34225825395667766252012-06-11T13:49:22.369-04:002012-06-11T13:49:22.369-04:00Thanks! ^_^ I like this: "The assumption is...Thanks! ^_^ I like this: "The assumption is that women are not only attracted to these images, but that women are somehow spiritually different than men- that their spiritual formation and approach to scripture should be different."<br /><br />Also thanks for mentioning the "sports analogies for men" thing- I'd never thought about that.perfectnumber628https://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-34295845119052831602012-06-11T09:54:33.017-04:002012-06-11T09:54:33.017-04:00EXACTLY THIS. Thank you for articulating this! Wom...EXACTLY THIS. Thank you for articulating this! Women should dig into more of the Bible than just the pink-aisle-in-the-bookstore-approved parts, and men should study and be edified the women of the faith and challenged to emulate their virtues just as much.Amanda B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-28364143983516805372012-06-11T07:25:55.409-04:002012-06-11T07:25:55.409-04:00This had always annoyed me - women's Bible stu...This had always annoyed me - women's Bible studies on Esther...with some twist on how you must beautify yourself for your husband (my husband hates make-up and false stuff anyway) and other summaries about submission etc. Now, I like reading Esther and Ruth, but the focus on such is disproportionate. As such, it's put me off women's groups. Women's meetings now instill a sense of fear within me, and I much prefer meetings and studies which involve both the brothers and the sisters. <br />Having said that, I would consider going to a women's group if it was promoted with a flier with a dragon on it - it would certainly stimulate my interest. <br />Thanks, sister! And GOd bless you.Viva Feministahttp://vivafeminista.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-63050778935597039692012-06-11T06:22:55.610-04:002012-06-11T06:22:55.610-04:00Saw a reference to dragons on RHE's Mutuality ...Saw a reference to dragons on RHE's Mutuality List and just had to read this. I've complained about the lavender, flowered, calligraphy script of women's ministries for years, but the problem is not just about stereotyped graphic design. The assumption is that women are not only attracted to these images, but that women are somehow spiritually different from men-that their spiritual formation and approach to scripture should be different. <br /><br />My spiritual formation pastor (who's a man) and I have had multiple conversations about the fact that there is no difference between how men and women should read the Bible and how they grow as followers of Jesus. (As an aside, there are men who think the assumption that all men respond to sports analogies is insulting, too).<br /><br />Finally, I just have to mention that I am a woman and that my favorite movie of all time is "The Two Towers." I love dragons (but love a good sword fight even more), and in three years of blogging have never quoted Beth Moore. There are whole lot more of us than people think.<br /><br />Thanks for a great post! I'll be putting it up on The Ruthless Monk Facebook pageLesliehttp://www.theruthlessmonk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-76355686707205806662012-06-10T21:33:33.702-04:002012-06-10T21:33:33.702-04:00There really aren't any "mens books"...There really aren't any "mens books" of the Bible I can think of, but the Church certainly does have Bible Studies (or in this case, BS) for men that emphasize those traditional roles. And I'll admit that over the years, with so many "godly men and women" telling me that was really God's best for us, I started to listen.<br />But it stuck in my craw. Always. For years I lived a double life, a "godly husband and father and youth pastor and stuff" who really thought "there is no male nor female in Jesus" meant just that, and that we all ought to submit one to another, even husbands and wives. I kept pretty quiet about what I really believed in public-- to my shame.<br />I finally got free.<br />And you know what? I read all the "womens" bits. I can't say that I ever wanted to be Deborah or Jael, but I always wanted to have those women around me.<br />And I'm not quiet now.roadkills-r-ushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029861300358380117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-81478013372602068102012-06-10T20:04:14.734-04:002012-06-10T20:04:14.734-04:00Dragons for me too! We can start up an internation...Dragons for me too! We can start up an international female dragon conference! Having just finished a class on the patriarchal influences of mainstream literature I am finding it incredibly depressing to be finding these same themes running throughout the church.<br /><br />If only they taught more on women like Jael in these groups. If any biblical women were biblical Godly dragons, she would be one. But then again, she might give the rest of us ideas ...Tashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077380555884244833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-5964734634390149262012-06-10T17:25:25.310-04:002012-06-10T17:25:25.310-04:00Amen! I love this. As a woman, I have yet to be ex...Amen! I love this. As a woman, I have yet to be excited about a women's bible study in church. I think this is, at least in part, because I am more logical than emotional and in my experience thus far, women's bible studies tend to be emotionally heavy but theologically light. The subtle implication being that women do not benefit from (are not capable of?) serious textual study. I'd love to be a part of a study of, say, the minor prophets, but as long as women's bible studies insist on yet another discussion on why modest is hottest, I'll look for a different group.Lindseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-60038062498500902912012-06-10T17:08:30.110-04:002012-06-10T17:08:30.110-04:00I would also be up for a dragon-themed women's...I would also be up for a dragon-themed women's conference! :) Like you, I am much more comfortable with the nerd population than the general population, so I always seem to have more in common with men than with other women.<br /><br />I found this post from Rachel Held Evans's site, and I have always found the only-women-study-Ruth-and-Esther thing to be quite annoying. Surely men can learn from Ruth and Esther, too, and women can learn from the men in the Bible!LisaHnoreply@blogger.com