What Does the Bible Say About Misogyny?

What is misogyny? It's a broad term, but a misogynist is someone who hates, exploits, or looks down on women. The word does is not in the Bible. But there are many sins that would fall into the category of misogyny.

The murder, rape, or abuse of women would of course be misogyny. Crude language disparaging of women; the objectification of women as objects of lust; ignoring women entirely or just believing men are better. These are examples of misogynistic sins.

The Bible says women are the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7). If a man uses his strength to take advantage of a woman, that would be misogyny. Men are to to be considerate women, as everyone has been charged to "count others more significant" than themselves (Philippians 2:3).

Consider also what is not misogyny. The Bible is not misogynist. The command for a wife to submit to her husband as to the Lord, is not misogyny. The instruction that only men can be pastors is not misogyny. If a man corrects a woman, that does not make him a misogynist.

By the way, it's a myth that only a man can be a misogynist. Feminists are misogynist. Planned Parenthood is a misogynist organization. Every female pop-star who objectifies women in their music is misogynist. There are even women Bible teachers whose bad doctrine is a burden on women.

Anyone who rebels against a biblical view of women is a misogynist. Rejecting what the Bible says regarding women is misogyny.

Misogyny is evil. The Bible says that men and women are fellow heirs of the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:28). So love one another, pure and simple, when we understand the text.

What Does the Bible Say About Microaggression?

Are you familiar with microaggressions? Subtle forms of prejudice, casual exchanges that are perceived as communicating derogatory remarks, whether intended or not. You might be a homophobe or transphobe, sexist or racist, and not even know it.

If a man corrects a woman's behavior, if you ask someone what they are, make stereotypes of any kind, or say you're color blind and see everyone as equal. These are examples of microaggressions, perceived slights that supposedly reveal a larger pattern of injustice. But it's either making a mountain out of a mole hill, or making something out of nothing.

These aggressions only go one way. Someone can accuse you, but you can't retaliate, or that's victim shaming, which is a microaggression. See how this works? It's a shame game with no end, where players think little of others and are driven by feelings and prejudice.

This is not how Christians should regard each other. The Bible says if one has a complaint against another, forgive. As the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Put on love with the peace of Christ in your heart. Let your speech always be gracious (Colossians 3:13-15, 4:6).

If anyone is teaching something different, they have an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels about words, producing evil suspicions and constant friction (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in a crooked and twisted generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world holding fast to the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16), when we understand the text.

What are the Qualifications for a Pastor?

What are the qualifications for a pastor? Well, first of all, a pastor must be a man. Right before God gives the requirements in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, the Spirit says, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet."

The list of qualifications that follows describes a godly man. "An overseer must be above reproach," meaning that he must walk in holiness and without blame. "The husband of one wife," or a one-woman man.

He must be "sober-minded." Another word for this is "temperate," or not given over to wild ideas. He must be "self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach," which is the one skill that a pastor must exhibit. Titus 1:9 says, "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it."

He must not be a "drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money," lest he compromise the truth for selfish gain. "He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?"

"He must not be a recent convert," but he must prove his worth over time. "He must be well thought of by outsiders," for how will he effectively share the message of the gospel if he doesn't love his neighbor?

Now these are character qualities we should all aspire to. The pastor is to be an example for the whole church of a mature Christian, when we understand the text.

What's the Problem With Beth Moore?

Beth Moore is one of the most well-known women Bible teachers. But her teaching is very concerning. Here are four problems with Beth Moore. (Now this is not a "heresy hunt" calling into question her love for Christ. But not everyone who loves God is a qualified teacher.)

First, she makes the Bible about you. Her lessons are man-centered (or woman-centered, zing!) appealing strongly to emotion, and she interprets the text to fit her topic:

"One thing stood between them and their land of promise, and it was the Jordan River. And I want to say something to you as we get started here tonight. This will always be the case that whatever stands between you and your land of promise will always be at flood stage." (From a message entitled Memorial in the Middle, uploaded to YouTube September 27, 2018.)

Second, egalitarianism. Continuing to undercut the authority of Scripture, Beth defies God's instruction that women are not to teach over men in the church. God has ordained men to be the shepherds, and what she is doing is shameful.

"Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet." 1 Timothy 2:11-12

"As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the church. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church." 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Third, her ties to prosperity theology. Now Beth has said "I don't believe in the prosperity gospel" (March 11, 2018) and "Jesus never promised us a health and wealth, hip and cool prosperity-gospel-life" (March 14, 2019). Yet her teaching is prosperity-light. She promises things God doesn't promise, often in vague expressions. For example, she has said, "Our belief unclogs the pipe and invites the power to flow" (Praying God’s Word, pg. 37).

Worse than this, she ministers with prosperity wolves like Joyce Meyer, Brian Houston, Christine Caine, Matt and Laurie Crouch, and Joel and Victoria Osteen.

Fourth, Beth says she hears from God and receives visions from Him:

"God began to say to me, I'm going to tell you right now, Beth, and boy, you write this one down, and you say it as often as I give you utterance to say it." (The source for this video has since been removed, but you can find a broader transcript here.)

What do you call a person a misuses and defies God's word, who keeps company with heretics, and claims they receive divine instruction outside of Scripture? The Bible calls them a false teacher, when we understand the text.