WOMEN AND THEOLOGY
It took me many years to realize something about myself. I don’t think like the typical woman. We’ve all heard how women are the “emotional” gender, while men are the more “rational” gender. In other words, women think with their hearts (or emotions) and men think with their minds.
I’ve relayed the story on social media a few times about taking part in Beth Moore “Bible” studies and conferences, and each time I did so, I went away thinking there was something wrong with me because I just didn’t get anything from it. Any women’s Bible study I participated in left me unfulfilled and reinforced the notion there was probably something spiritually wrong with me since I got NOTHING out of them.
But, I realized the problem wasn’t with me, it was with the studies themselves. You see, when I think of BIBLE studies, I’m thinking, “Cool, we’re going to study a book of the Bible.” But that has never been the case. Instead, they choose a particular topic to focus on and cull out verses from the Bible to fit the narrative they’re trying to speak on. For instance, how to be a more loving wife or mother. Or, how to heal from some physical or emotional hurt in your past. Instead of a Bible study, I felt like I was in some type of psycho-therapy group session. BIBLE STUDY means STUDY THE BIBLE!
For most women, when you mention the word “theology”, you get this wide-eyed look of fear on their face and you hear something like, “Theology is for the men.”
I think somewhere along the line there’s been a disconnect when it comes to women and theology, or the study of God. I believe a lot of women have fallen for the notion that theology is too hard for them to understand, or to learn theology requires a decade of seminary training and an Ordination Certificate. But, ladies, that is short-changing yourselves. That way of thinking is like saying, “I’m a woman, therefore I’m not smart enough to understand theology.” Sorry, but that’s a cop out.
For a few years, I listened to pastors such as John MacArthur, S. Lewis Johnson, Paul Washer, R.C. Sproul, and Jeff Noblitt because I didn’t think there were any good women’s Bible teachers out there. But, eventually I came to learn about a couple like Nancy Guthrie and, more recently, Susan Heck. I’m sure there are more but I’m not familiar with or aware of who they are. Don’t get me wrong. I still enjoy hearing those men of God I mentioned previously preach and teach.
There are also podcasts by women for women, even though I’m sure some men may listen, also, that are available that doesn’t deal with the emotional fluff or just on “women’s” issues. They discuss outright theology and God’s Word and how those doctrines apply to us, not just as women, but as Christians because, as Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” There are also podcasts that deal with contemporary issues and how God’s Word applies to those issues.
Theology is for us all, and God never said that women can’t or shouldn’t learn the deeper truths of God’s Word. He gave us brains to think with and if we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, MIND, and strength, then the watered-down, sugar-coated fluff that passes off as women’s “Bible” studies don’t cut it. It misses the target by a mile, in my opinion. Don’t think you’re not “smart” enough to learn theology. Our understanding doesn’t come from ourselves anyway. Anything we gain knowledge of or that our minds become illumined to comes directly from the Holy Spirit.
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