In this article, Ksenija Magda questions the dangerous hierarchical structure of the church, offering ways to make it a safer environment for all members.
The Bible’s Radical Criticism of Human Society
Marxist criticism of the dividing of society into classes based on capital accumulation and feminist criticism of patriarchy are partial compared to the Bible’s criticism of human society.
Paul’s vision of how Christians can change the world (Romans chapters 1 and 8) comes from his re-reading of Genesis 3. Christ reverses the curse! That is the truly good news. As a Pauline scholar and church worker consigned to a global ministry to women this re-reading of Romans explains a lot and gives hope for the church.
In Genesis, basic human sin is described as denouncing God and wanting to be “god” instead. In the battle for the “god position” of people, structures of ungodliness and injustice and of sin and death are created. The fake gods try to prove themselves by collecting ever expanding amounts of possessions and people. This hierarchical order of power exploits others and nature. We are well aware of that today. The sustainability crisis is a moral crisis. Paul interjects that death is a threat even to those who may “not have sinned like Adam” (Rom 5:14). Yet, for Paul, through Jesus believers are revived by the Holy Spirit and the curse is reversed.
The sustainability crisis is a moral crisis.
The Hazardous Head and the Neck Theology
How have churches become some of the least safe places? Is Paul wrong? Or has the church adopted the curse rather than Christ? I started writing Blessing the Curse? because Christian women are still treated as cursed in many church narratives. Elsewhere we are taught the good news that Christ became curse for us all and took away our curse (Gal 3:13). So why are women treated as an exception?
Paul’s exposition on the structures of sin in Romans explains a lot! Human gods in structures of sin do not waste means on the little ones. It undermines their logic of greatness. Women fit in only as mothers of future vassals, workers, and soldiers, and sometimes as heirs of their father’s position. Women may seek love, but they get a business proposal instead. This sounds like the Genesis curse (Gen 3:16). Women and their children become commodities – the basis of human trafficking.
Women may seek love, but they get a business proposal instead.
The “complimentary” view of men and women too, is based on the cursed gender roles: men control and women comply. This also explains why women often fiercely protect abusive male hierarchies, against women who fight for their freedom. As codependents the women’s lives depend on the stable position of their “lords.” But in these structures the women also survive through the manipulation of men. “The woman is the neck that turns the head” is funny when said in the 2002 comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but in reality the assigned gender specific violence and passive aggression this logic destroys the basis of life – love and trust.
That’s bad in the world, but it’s devastating in the church, where often it is claimed that God created and ordains this view!
The Church as God’s Holy Ground
The Bible’s cure is both easy and difficult. It requires returning to God, speaking the truth, and ministering to the little ones. Returning to God rebuilds human identity that is defined by the creator God. Speaking the truth maintains authenticity, important when self-called “gods” require that we worship them and give up our identity. Human “gods” fight fiercely for their privilege. Many fine Christians have learned to draw the peace card in such conflicts. It seems easier to hush up the “one” act of violence.
But this is not God’s shalom that is based on justice for the victims. Silence supports human “gods” and insults God’s glory. When churches bless structures of sin they side with abuse done in the name of God. Business principles and celebrity culture often mark such churches.
Returning to God rebuilds human identity that is defined by the creator God.
Worst of all, serving the little ones becomes a “paddling pool” activity or a lucrative business. Christians “paddle” with a lot of noise and little result and their leaders encourage immaturity as it supports their “god” position. This is evident in the ministry around human trafficking.
The church applauds heroes who minister to individuals in red light districts, because any one life counts. But teaching men in churches to control their sex drive and respect women as equals is a taboo. It threatens the men in power and upholds their abuse. Yes, individual lives matter! But reaching the tipping point in eliminating demand for sex workers stops the business of human trafficking altogether! With its 2.6 billion Christians, the church has the potential to create safe places of justice and peace, if not change in the world.
With its 2.6 billion Christians, the church has the potential to create safe places of justice and peace, if not change in the world.
“Creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19) writes Paul, and he expects the church to fulfill this promise, here and now. As Christians, in the power of the Holy Spirit, stand up to the structures of sin and death, they bring the truly good news to the world.
Blessing the Curse? is a challenging text tracing the curse's impact on our families, our church structures, our nations and gospel witness, contemplating how we view, treat, oppress or empower women throughout history and into the present day.
