The Bible Message without Patriarchy

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 38 from the New English Translation of the Bible.  This passage has been frequently misused to demonize human sexuality.  The story also highlights double standards and oppressive traditions that are often found in patriarchal cultures.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 37 from the Good News Translation, Today’s English Version. This story tells us how Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son, was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Envy and strife were connected to Jacob’s practice of polygamy. It was a longstanding ancient custom for Jewish men to have either more than one wife at a time, or more than one wife in succession. In the New Testament, both Jesus and the apostle Paul confronted these practices. Sadly, some patriarchal theologians take Paul’s words out of context, in an attempt to prevent women from sharing leadership positions in the church.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 35:16-21 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  We read about the death of Rachel in childbirth, and how God responds to her tears with a promise of redemption for her children.

In this episode, we read Genesis 35:1-15 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  Jacob and his family turn from idolatry.  This entails leaving behind jewelry that was engraved with the images of Canaanite gods.  This does not mean that women may not wear jewelry.  It also does not suggest that the outward beauty of women will "cause men to stumble."  In addition to examining the original meaning of Genesis 35, we also investigate the meaning of other biblical "modesty" passages, in their original languages and contexts. 

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis chapter 34 from the Good News Bible, Today's English Version.  We read about the rape of Dinah, Jacob and Leah's daughter.  We also confront patriarchal commentary on this passage that blames women for the sexual crimes of men.

In this episode, we read Genesis chapters 32 and 33 from the Good News Translation of the Bible, Today’s English Version. In this story, Jacob humbles himself before his brother Esau, hoping that Esau will not seek revenge for being tricked out of his birthright. The language of this passage in the Greek Septuagint helps us to accurately translate 1 Peter 3:1-6. In this New Testament passage, when properly translated, wives are not told to “accept the authority” of their husbands; nor does Sarah “obey” Abraham, calling him “master.”

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 30:25 to 31:55 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  In this story, Laban tries to control Jacob through divination and deceit.  Jacob is delivered when he has faith in God's promise to him.  When fleeing from Laban, Rachel does something that could symbolize an important truth.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 29:31 - Genesis 30:24 from the Good News Translation, Today's English Version.  This story tells us how two sisters sought love or social standing by giving birth to male children.  Sadly, some movements claiming to be "Christian" have twisted passages from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible in an attempt to portray marriage, motherhood and housekeeping as "God's will" for all women.

In this podcast episode, we read Genesis 29:1-30 from the Good News Translation, Today’s English Version. Many English translations of this passage do not accurately reflect what ancient Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts say about Leah. Also, though this passage contains historical examples of polygamy, slavery and patriarchy; none of these ancient customs are depicted as “God’s will.”