Misogymist

mi·sog·y·nist

məˈsäjənist/

noun

1. 1.

   a person who dislikes, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against women.

or

noun

1.

a person who hates, dislikes, mistrusts, or mistreats women.

I've come across this attitude in men; however, I've recently been exposed to negative attitudes from women, and not because they are in an authority position.

Rather, because they aren't - um - married. In some conservative Christian circles if you're not married you aren't 'worthy'.  In some, if you're married but not popping out babies every couple of years, well, what's wrong with you?!

Now no one comes right out and says it like that...but if you're 20+ and not married, well, you old spinster you!  God forbid you're in your 30s or 40s and never married.  Seems to completely mitigate the God is sovereign theology (God is in control).

It's the smug attitude which sort of chaps my hiney - 'I'm married' and have somehow 'achieved' a higher plane or 'arrived'.  Really?

'I'm married and have children. I'm fulfilling the scriptural commandment which says a woman will be 'saved' in childbearing.'  Really?

The attitude isn't much better if you've been married and are widowed (or divorced, which in some circles is almost akin to being a leper) and haven't remarried.  Really?

As if those who haven't yet married, but have a desire and longing to be married are somehow inferior?

So ladies are we judging one another by our marital status or reproduction ability?  Or rather are we looking at each other as Christ does, as His image bearers?  Concerned about the eternal state versus the temporal?  Praying for those who wish to be married but by God's design aren't yet?

Statistically the 'pool' of male/female isn't in our favor.  Especially as we age.  If you live in the United States here's a visual:

Blue is for boys; pink is for girls.  :-)  Courtesy of Business Insider, which lists the ratio per state.  Men are more plentiful in the Northwest?  Or fare better in colder states?

If men who only see a woman's value in her bed warming, baby making, bread baking capacity are objectifying, what are women doing?  How are we supporting and/or encouraging those whom the Lord hasn't allowed (or doesn't decree) they marry (or remarry)?

What attitudes do we have and/or project?  What causes a woman to have value?  Are we valuing one another for who we are in Christ?

Womanly Wisdom?

Today's reading was in Numbers 25-28.

Zelophehad had only daughters, no sons.  In Numbers 27, they approach Moses and query him regarding preserving the line of their father.  Moses brings their cause before the Lord.  The Lord affirms if a man died having no sons, a daughter should be heir.  Quite an amazing decision for a woman.

Which made me think, they weren't giving counsel, rather questioning.  Contrast their attitude with a recent article I read in Leben Magazine: Anna Spafford and The Shipwreck of the American Colony.

Which was frankly, quite a sad eye opener.  Anna Spafford is not an example of godly womanhood.  The article isn't currently available online and while trying to find more information I came across these:

Horatio Spafford: Not Well With His Soul - I perused through and this article seems to contain a lot of the same information as the Leben article.  Though this writer questioned whether continuing to sing It Is Well With My Soul was acceptable.

It Is Well With My Soul: An Exposition of My Favorite Hymn - Part 1 and Part 2.  Again, skimming through, this author references the article above but takes a different position on continuing to sing the song.  Because I was trying to get a 'feel' for where the author stood on women, quickly browsing around and found this article:  Joni Eareckson Tada and Joyce Meyer: An Example of Biblical Womanhood and an Example of a Manly Woman Preacher which I think gives a good breakdown between sharing and preaching.

So...having done all this perusing and skipping - my thoughts turned to other examples of women who gave (or sought) counsel in the Scripture.

Obviously the first example was Eve, though she didn't say anything, she offered something to her husband.  So it's not just words...it's actions as well.

The next example which came to mind was Sari - offering Hagar to Abram, to get him what he wanted. Suffering the consequences, then counseling to get rid of Hagar and her son, which counsel God approved.

Rahab giving counsel to the spies; a faithful witness delivering souls.

Jezebel consoling her husband and taking authority to get him what he wanted.

Deborah a prophetess providing counsel to the children of Israel.

Manoah's wife (she bore Samson) reassures her husband concerning their visit from the Lord.

I know I'm probably missing quite a few - perhaps like Athaliah - who took over the seat of government, by killing all the royal seed.  For me, it's been an opportunity to examine, am I asking questions, comforting, giving counsel or testifying about HIM in a way which brings glory and doesn't compromise?

How careful am I to be respectful, to either men or women in how I speak (or act)?  Is my behavior drawing attention to HIM or myself?

Lies Women Believe...

...and men too.

"Both women and men had to be made to perceive diamonds not as marketable precious stones but as an inseparable part of courtship and married life."1

I'm involved in a ladies study, we're currently working through the book, Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

This isn't a review of the book - yet, rather, I'm amazed how easily marketing can mislead and deceive us.

"The diamond invention—the creation of the idea that diamonds are rare and valuable, and are essential signs of esteem—is a relatively recent development in the history of the diamond trade."1

Diamonds are a girls best friend? True or false?

First we might want to describe the term best friend. I'm having a hard time 'agreeing' with an inanimate object being a best friend! A dog perhaps, but not a rock...not even a pet rock!

Diamonds are forever. True or False?

"The illusion had to be created that diamonds were forever -- "forever" in the sense that they should never be resold."1

Diamonds have value beyond sentimental? Or phrased differently, they have long term value, they increase versus maintain (or lose) their value?

"The diamond-holding public, which includes people who inherit diamonds, had to remain convinced that diamonds retained their monetary value."1

Interest in researching this topic was stirred by a recent post from American Vision titled, My $3,500 advice to couples contemplating marriage regarding spending money on an 'asset' which really isn't and quoted Epstein's Have You Ever Tried to Sell a Diamond. I recommend reading both articles.

For those who interested in reading Epstein's book on the topic:  The Diamond Invention.