1. Buried and Resurrected

2. Ben Sirach A Jewish scholar, a scribe of the Law A Jewish scholar, a scribe of the Law Circa 180-175 BCE Circa 180-175 BCE Author of Ecclesiasticus, aka Author of Ecclesiasticus, aka – Wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach – Wisdom of Ben Sira Included in the Septuagint and the Vulgate Included in the Septuagint and the Vulgate – Thus afforded a degree of authority

3. “Wisdom” Regarding Women Ben Sirach Ben Sirach – If you don’t like your wife, don’t trust her – Be careful to keep records of the supplies you issue to her – Deed no property to her during your lifetime and do not let her support you – Women are responsible for sin coming into the world and their spite is unbearable

4. Intertestamental View One high point One high point – Book of Judith Courageous, daring, and brave woman that saves her city and people Courageous, daring, and brave woman that saves her city and people Otherwise, quite negative Otherwise, quite negative

5. It Gets Worse Ben Sirach Ben Sirach – A daughter is a total loss and a constant potential source of shame – List of heroes only includes men – Women discussed only in relation to men

6. Low Point Ben Sirach Ben Sirach – Do not sit down with the women for moth comes out of clothes, and a woman’s spite out of a woman A man’s spite is preferable to a woman’s kindness Women give rise to shame and reproach

7. Is This Right? This is the environment in which Jesus and the gospel writers lived This is the environment in which Jesus and the gospel writers lived What is Jesus’ (God’s) view of women? What is Jesus’ (God’s) view of women? Do the gospel writers reflect His view? Do the gospel writers reflect His view? What does the history of the apstolic era church show? What does the history of the apstolic era church show?

8. Women in the OT Some high points Some high points – Ruth – Esther – Deborah – The “good woman” of Proverbs 31 But generally not very positive But generally not very positive – Women considered “property” – Though not as bad as Ben Sirach

9. Jesus and Women He welcomed women disciples He welcomed women disciples He traveled with them and respected them just as he did the men He traveled with them and respected them just as he did the men Jesus features both men and women equally in his parables and teachings Jesus features both men and women equally in his parables and teachings He taught both men and women He taught both men and women The gospel writers record all these things The gospel writers record all these things

10. Mark 15:40-16:8 Burial Account Burial Account Resurrection Account Resurrection Account

11. Role of Women in Burial and Resurrection Accounts Mark 15:40-47 Women Watch Women Watch Joseph Joseph – Seeks Jesus Pilate and Centurion Pilate and Centurion – Confirms Jesus is Dead Joseph Joseph – Receives Jesus’ Body and Buries Him Women Watch Women Watch Mark 16:1-8 Women Go Women Go – Talking and Uncertain Women Enter Tomb Women Enter Tomb – Seeks Jesus Young Man (Angel) Young Man (Angel) – Jesus is Risen Women Commissioned Women Commissioned – Jesus is Found Women Exit Tomb Women Exit Tomb Women Return Women Return – Silent and Afraid

12. Beginning of the Gospel Mark 1:1 (ESV) Mark 1:1 (ESV) – The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Functions as Title for the Book Functions as Title for the Book Mark 16:8 (ESV) Mark 16:8 (ESV) – And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

13. Women at Center of New Church In all four gospel accounts of the resurrection In all four gospel accounts of the resurrection They are the first “apostles” They are the first “apostles” – “Apostles to the Apostles”

14. Women in Early Church Acts depicts women as equal partners and leaders in the church Acts depicts women as equal partners and leaders in the church – Men and women disciples in the upper room – Dorcas – Lydia – Priscilla – Philip’s prophetess daughters

15. Galatians 3:27-29 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 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. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 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. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

16. Burial and Resurrection Old distinctions, ideas, and traditions about role of women in church to be buried Old distinctions, ideas, and traditions about role of women in church to be buried Equality and partnership to be resurrected Equality and partnership to be resurrected Jesus came to restore relationships between men and women also Jesus came to restore relationships between men and women also Could the rite of baptism symbolize this also? Could the rite of baptism symbolize this also?

17. Original Intent Genesis 1:27 Genesis 1:27 – So God created man [humankind] in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 2:18 Genesis 2:18 – Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper [completeness] fit for him."

18. New Family The church is God’s new family The church is God’s new family Jesus inaugurated it as His new creation at the cross and resurrection Jesus inaugurated it as His new creation at the cross and resurrection Ideally it should resemble the family as it was intended at Creation in Eden Ideally it should resemble the family as it was intended at Creation in Eden How well are we doing in meeting that ideal? How well are we doing in meeting that ideal? How can we move closer towards it? How can we move closer towards it? Jesus broke cultural norms and tradition Jesus broke cultural norms and tradition