In Defense of St. Paul

 

May 19, 2024

 

A few years ago, I reminded readers that Mary Magdalene wasn’t a prostitute, although she’s been portrayed that way for centuries.

 

Today, I’m writing to retrieve the reputation of St. Paul.

 

Paul argued for the equality and education of women. For various historical reasons, including incorrect translations, and because he was fighting against cultural norms, his words were twisted into making it sound as though he thought that women couldn’t be leaders in the church (this, despite his numerous commendations of women who were Church leaders), and that women should be subservient to their husbands.

 

If your religious denomination persists in quoting St. Paul in order to bolster its claims that women are lesser citizens in faith and in life, do yourself a favor and read What Paul Really Said About Women, by John Temple Bristow.

 

It was recommended to me by a pastor’s wife, and it made me feel much better about St. Paul. I actually feel bad for him, wondering if he’s sitting in Heaven being sad that all his hard work was misquoted in order to uphold attitudes that were the complete opposite of what he taught.

 

So, grit your teeth, open your mind, and read the book. Then start quoting him correctly to all the people who are using him as an excuse to keep women down.