No — the Bible is not anti-feminist; Les teaches that Paul honored women and Christianity is what set womanhood free.
Les directly answers the charge that Paul was anti-feminist, saying no man in Scripture gives more commendation to women than Paul. In Romans 16 Paul commends at least eight women who helped him and entrusts Phoebe with carrying the epistle of Romans. For Les, Christianity is the greatest feminist movement, lifting women from a downtrodden position to almost equal standing with men.
Romans 16:1-2 — Paul commends Phoebe, a servant, and urges the church to assist her — direct evidence of honor given to a woman.
1 Corinthians 14:34 — The passage often cited to accuse Paul of anti-feminism; Les explains its cultural context.
Exodus 35:5 — The tabernacle offering was opened to every willing heart in Israel, showing women were not excluded.
The Bible itself does not use the term feminist, but it records women serving and being honored. In Exodus 35, Moses tells the whole congregation that whoever is of a willing heart may bring an offering to the Lord for the tabernacle. In Romans 16, Paul commends "Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea," and tells believers to receive her and assist her, because "she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also." The same chapter names numerous women as fellow workers in ministry. Scripture also contains Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:34, "Let your women keep silence in the churches," which is part of the biblical record and is the verse most often used to accuse Paul of anti-feminism.
Les directly rejects the idea that the Apostle Paul was anti-feminist. He says he has heard Paul castigated by campus feminists who wanted Bibles removed from view, but he calls that ignorance. Les insists no man in Scripture gives more commendation to women than Paul, and he points to Romans 16 as proof. There Paul commends at least eight women who were intrinsic in helping him in the ministry, and he entrusted the important epistle of Romans to Phoebe, a woman, to deliver it. Les also teaches that Christianity is what set womanhood free. Before Christianity, women were downtrodden, not permitted to be educated or to read, but Christianity brought them up to almost an equal level with men. When it comes to passages like 1 Corinthians 14:34, Les explains that Paul was writing in the light of the wicked, pagan culture of Corinth, and those instructions do not erase the place of women in the church.
In Romans 16:1-2, Paul writes, "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 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 succorer of many, and of myself also." Les highlights this as a clear example of Paul honoring a woman and acknowledging her work. He also notes that in Romans 16 alone Paul names at least eight women who were intrinsic in helping him in the ministry. Les concludes that this is not the language of an anti-feminist; rather, Paul gives more commendation to women than any other man in Scripture.
Les admits that 1 Corinthians 14:34 is where critics attack Paul as anti-feminist. He explains that the Holy Spirit inspired these words because Corinth was a wicked, wicked city with gross immorality. Paul was writing in light of the culture and day and time in which he wrote. In that setting, women were told to remain subdued and not take authority in the local church. Les says these instructions should not be used to say there is no place for women in the church. He points back to Romans 16, where Paul commends many women who helped him in ministry.
Les teaches that Christianity is the greatest feminist movement, giving the greatest liberty to the feminine portion of the human race. It brought women out of a place of being downtrodden, not permitted to be educated, and not permitted to read. Christianity brought women up to almost an equal level with men. He contrasts this with attitudes still seen in parts of the Middle East, where an unveiled woman is open to anything. He also warns that present-day women have abused the liberty Christianity gave them, and when anything is abused it begins to backfire.
A Willing Heart in Israel
Les moves through Exodus 35, where Moses tells all Israel to bring an offering if they have a willing heart, showing the invitation was to everyone.
Paul's Commendation of Women
Les directly says that despite accusations, no man in Scripture gives more commendation to women than the Apostle Paul.
Phoebe Carries Romans
Les points out that Paul entrusted the great epistle of Romans to a woman, Phoebe, and commends women who helped him in the ministry.
Corinth's Pagan Background
Les explains that Paul's Corinthian instructions reflect the pagan city's attitudes toward women, quoting a Greek philosopher who said silence confers grace upon a woman.
Eight Women in Romans 16
Les counts at least eight women Paul names in Romans 16 and highlights that Phoebe, a woman, carried the epistle.
Christianity Freed Women
Les insists Paul opened up the world of freedom to women and that Christianity is what set womanhood free.
Context for 1 Corinthians 14
Les acknowledges that 1 Corinthians 14:34 is where critics target Paul and explains the Holy Spirit inspired it in the setting of wicked Corinth.
Christianity's Greatest Liberty
Les says Christianity brought women from downtrodden, uneducated status to almost equal standing with men, though he also says present-day women have abused that liberty.
Exodus 35:5: Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,
This shows the tabernacle offering was for every willing heart, including women.
Romans 16:1-2: I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 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 succorer of many, and of myself also.
Paul's commendation of Phoebe demonstrates honor and recognition of a woman's service.
1 Corinthians 14:34: Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
This verse is often cited to accuse Paul of anti-feminism and is explained by Les in its Corinthian cultural context.
No. Les says no man in Scripture gives more commendation to women than Paul. Romans 16 commends at least eight women and entrusts Phoebe with delivering the epistle to the Romans.
Les explains this in light of the culture of Corinth, a grossly immoral city. Paul wrote in the light of his day and time, and the instruction is not a denial of women's place in the church.
According to Les, Christianity is the greatest feminist movement. It brought women up from a downtrodden status to almost an equal level with men.
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