What does your culture say about the value of women? How do women know their value? The story that’s made the headlines recently about Nigerian school girls kidnapped because they were simply being educated has hit me hard. Everyone is talking about this issue right now. I personally don’t like to jump on bandwagons, however, I have been thinking about women’s issues for quite some time. 

Lies are the root of poverty. I have been pondering this quote by Darrow Miller,  who teaches about the Biblical worldview. 

What lies do people believe about women? 

“The male is by nature superior, and the female inferior; and the one rules, and the other is ruled.” Aristotle, Politics, Book One. 

“Blessed are You Hashem, our God, King of the world, for not making 
me a woman.”  Tractate Berachot, Chapter 6 Tosefta 231 (There are different interpretations…some say it’s because a woman was not obligated to fulfill the law but it does seem that it influenced the view of women at that time.)

What is the view of women in your culture?

The above quotes are a sampling of the view of women still held today. In many cultures, women are seen as inferior, seen as property, killed just merely for being a woman and therefore not inherently valuable. I teach people how to read and study the Bible. What does this have to do with the subject of women? I believe the Biblical worldview of women is where women can get their value. Oh, does that ruffle feathers? Oh yes. I have heard many times that the Bible is sexist, God is against women, women are not valued in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. 

I beg to differ. 

Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” 

Man and woman were created in God’s image. What does this say about the value of women? 

I’d like you to think about this question. Try and put aside preconceived thoughts and arguments and think about this statement. Man and woman were created in God’s image.  I believe ideas have consequences. What are the consequences of a statement like this? 

Every day I am praying for the safe return of the girls in Nigeria who were created in God’s image and have inherent value because of this fact. 


This post is the first in a series of posts on the value of women. Thank you for taking the time to read. I would love to hear your thoughts. Please keep all comments respectful. I value differing opinions and love to dialogue about them. I also wish to do this with respect and honor.