Christianity was the greatest force for women's liberation in human history, according to Les Feldick.
Christianity set the female gender free and was the beginning of true feminism, putting women on the same level in God's eyes as men. Les Feldick says it brought women out of being downtrodden, uneducated, and forbidden to read, and raised them to almost an equal level with men. He also defends the Apostle Paul as a champion of women, not an opponent.
Romans 16:1 — Paul commends Phoebe, a woman, as a servant of the church, demonstrating women's recognized role in the early church.
Romans 16:6 — Paul greets Mary, who 'bestowed much labour on us,' showing that women actively labored in ministry.
In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul highly commends women who served in the early church. He introduces Phoebe as 'our sister' and 'a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea' and tells the believers to receive her in the Lord, since she had been 'a succourer of many' (Romans 16:1-2). He greets Priscilla and Aquila as his helpers in Christ Jesus (Romans 16:3), and he greets Mary, saying she 'bestowed much labour on us' (Romans 16:6). The Scripture records that women had a recognized and active place in the ministry of the early church.
Les Feldick is emphatic: Christianity is what set the female gender free. He calls it the beginning of true feminism because Christianity put women on the same level in God's eyes as man. Before that, women in pagan and Middle Eastern cultures were downtrodden, not permitted to be educated, and not permitted to read. Christianity brought women out of that place and raised them to almost an equal level with men.
Les Feldick describes the pre-Christian situation as one in which women were downtrodden. They were not permitted to be educated and not permitted to read. He says Christianity brought women out of that place and up onto almost an equal level with men. He also notes that even today in the Middle East an unveiled woman is open to anything, showing the cultural backdrop that Christianity changed.
Les Feldick says no. He points to Romans 16, where Paul commends women who helped him in ministry and mentions woman after woman who was part of his ministry. According to Les, Paul recognized that there was a role for women in the Church, and Paul's doctrine opened up the world of freedom to women. When Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians sound hard on women, Les explains that Paul was writing in light of the culture and the day in which he wrote.
Les addresses the modern feminist movement by pointing out that Christianity itself was the greatest feminist movement the human race has seen. He teaches that the Christian life is a life of freedom, joy, and responsibility, not bondage. He also warns that when women abuse the liberty Christianity gave them, it begins to backfire. He concludes that there has been a tremendous change in the position and attitude of men toward women because of Christianity.
Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles
up and get back to where I belong. But contrary to what God intended, it went the other way, and not only did it turn Israel in anger against the Gentiles, they precipitated in return the persecution of the Gentiles against them, and all you have to do is go back and read human history.
Christianity Set Women Free
Les Feldick states that Christianity is what set the female gender free and that true feminism began when Christianity put women on the same level in God's eyes as men.
Women Lifted From Downtrodden State
Les explains that before Christianity women were downtrodden, uneducated, and unable to read, but Christianity raised women up to an almost equal level with men.
Paul Opened Freedom to Women
Les insists the Apostle Paul was not anti-feminist and that Paul's doctrine opened up the world of freedom to women.
Changed Attitudes Toward Women
Les notes that there has been a tremendous change in how men view and treat women because of Christianity, even though customs have shifted.
Paul Commended Women in Ministry
Les points to Romans 16, where Paul commends women who helped in ministry, proving Paul recognized women had a role in the Church.
Christianity as True Feminism
Les says anyone who reads the last chapter of Romans could never call Paul anti-feminist, and he calls Christianity the greatest feminist movement in history.
Christian Life as Freedom
Les teaches that the Christian life is the greatest life of freedom, which supports his view that Christianity liberated women from bondage.
Romans 16:1: I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
Paul introduces a woman as a servant of the church, showing her recognized role in early church life.
Romans 16:2: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
Paul urges the church to receive and assist Phoebe, elevating the value of women in ministry.
Romans 16:3: Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Paul calls Priscilla a helper in Christ Jesus alongside her husband Aquila, showing women served in ministry.
Romans 16:6: Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
Paul commends Mary for her labor, showing women actively contributed to the work of the gospel.
Les Feldick says yes. Christianity brought women out of a downtrodden condition where they were not allowed to be educated or to read, and this is what set the female gender free. He says Christianity put women on the same level in God's eyes as men. This is why he calls Christianity the greatest feminist movement that ever hit the human race.
No. Les reminds us that Paul commends many women in Romans 16 who helped him in the ministry. He says Paul's doctrine opened up the world of freedom to women, and that anyone who reads the last chapter of Romans could never accuse Paul of being anti-feminist. Where Paul tells women to be quiet in church, Les explains he was writing in light of the culture of that day.
Paul gave instructions that women should remain subdued and not take authority in the local church, but Les says those words were written in the light of the culture of the day. Paul also commended women who served in ministry and recognized there was a role for women in the Church. Les says customs change, even while the Word of God does not.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles