Satan In Sacred Texts: Misogyny And Barbarity Towards Women

Satan in Sacred Texts
By: Carrie-Anne Prudence
201494547
RELS 3302-001

Within the bible there are a distinctive and shocking amount of passages referring to Satan. More specifically, the topic of misogyny and barbarity towards women, which has sparked a lot of debate. Central to this debate, are the Pauline and duetero-Pauline epistles, which hold conflicting views upon Satan and the treatment of women. Within this essay 3 different texts will be analyzed and compared in relation with this topic. 1 Timothy, a duetero-Pauline epistle presents a view of the devil that is more similar to the Book of the Watchers, than it is to 1 Corinthians, a definite Pauline epistle. This seems to support the scholarly opinion
that 1 Timothy was not in fact written by Paul. The evidence backing up this opinion will be discussed within this report, along with the similarities and differences of Satan portrayed within each text. 1 Timothy is considered to be a duetero-Pauline epistle, meaning the author is considered to be someone else writing as Paul.
This letter is written in a way that is not consistent with any of Paul’s other texts. The letter itself has misogynistic tones, and emphasizes inequality between males and females, old and young, deacons, widows and other groups. The most shocking portrayal of misogyny is in 1 Timothy 2, where it is stated that women must live in full submission, be quiet, and not to assume authority over a man (1Timothy, 2, English Standard Version). This is where most skepticism has arisen as to whether or not this passage was written by Paul. In Many of Paul’s previous writings, such as Galatians, he stresses the equality of all groups, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians, 3:28, New International Version). Satan is also evident in 1 Timothy 3 where the deacons are warned against Satan’s sin of pride, “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” (1 Timothy, 3:6, New International Version). The passage expresses this as a test, and warns that Satan waits to take advantage of the deacons, and if they pass this test then they are a worthy deacon, “they must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons” (1 Timothy, 3:10, New International Version). Satan is also
referenced when humans engage in uncontrolled sexual and social activities in 1 Timothy 5. It states that if these urges overcome your dedication to Christ, you are giving in to the devils ways. Timothy 5 also stresses the importance of family, and being faithful within your relationships. Anything that prevents you from doing so are considered to be obstacles posed by the devil in order to prevent Christians from living a fully Christian lifestyle. The writing, tone and subject matter of this letter are not consistent with Paul’s other letters or writings, as we will see later within this paper. In Enoch, the Book of the Watchers there are also many similar ideas and portrayals as 1 Timothy. This book further expresses the inequality of men and women as well as the power men have over women. The story discusses two angels and how they fall because they lust for the “daughters of man” (Derynck, 2014). This could be understood that a mans relations with a women were considered to be a sin. The angels also make a pact to take wives, once again demoting women to objects that can be “taken”, “Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men 3 and beget us children,”(Enoch, 6:2). They also enforce metallurgy upon men, and jewelry and cosmetics amongst women, increasing the sins of lust, greed, and violence amongst humans. The influence of the devil becomes evident in this book when the fallen angels bring about chaos, imbalance, and corruption of the natural order, and increase sins amongst humans (Derynck, 2014). There is a large emphasis on the Watchers and their women with strong suggestions that women have only one purpose. “And though ye were holy, spiritual, living the eternal life, you have defiled yourselves with the blood of women, and have begotten (children) with the blood of flesh, and, as the children of men, have lusted after flesh and blood as those also do who die 5 and perish. Therefore have I given them wives also that they might impregnate them, and beget 6 children by them, that thus nothing might be wanting to them on earth” (Enoch, 7:4-5). This verse implies that women 's primary purpose is to bare children and be objects for men to lust over, once again implying misogynistic messages, and males dominance in society. The use of the word “defile” when referring to women is also belittling and hatred towards women. 1 Corinthians, which is a definite Pauline epistle, in that it is written by Paul, is much different than the two other passages already discussed. 1 Corinthians discusses faithfulness within relationships, and how both partners must fulfill their marital duties towards one another. Satan’s sin of sexual immortality is a large topic in this epistle, and Paul states that sexuality must be mutually consenting, and within committed relationships. “Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Corinthians, 7:5, New International Version). This quote demonstrates how Satan often waits for an opportune time to cause problems, especially within the temptations of sexuality and passion. Paul stresses the importance of devoting oneself to the Lord, and not to let relationships, or other concerns come in the way of that, “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Corinthians, 7:35, New International Version). Paul discusses that compromises can be made when Christians fall into acts of sexuality, which leads us to believe that it is not completely immoral (Derynck, 2014), although celibacy is the most prized choice. These concessions are shown in 1 Corinthians 7 verses 36 to 38, where Paul discusses a man who may choose to marry a virgin for the sake of his passions, and a man who decides not to marry and has “control over his own will”. Both are considered not to be sinners, with the man that marries doing right upon God, but the man that does not, does even better. 1 Corinthians seems to express a more equal Christian lifestyle for both males and females, and discusses that sinning, when it comes to sexual immorality, is capable by both groups for the same actions. Paul was extremely disliked for the messages that were portrayed in the duetero - Pauline epistle.
However, after analyzing other texts, it becomes evident that Paul was most likely not the author of this letter. The other Pauline letters are much more consistent with Paul, in that they discuss equality of men and women and the ability to live a fully devoted Christian life. Both the Book of Enoch and 1 Timothy are believed to have been written in a much earlier time, perhaps even before Paul lived, once again proving that Paul could not be the author of 1 Timothy (Derynck, 2013). Considering they were both written in earlier times, could also provide a reason as to why they hold the language and tone that they do. In those times, the treatment of women and slaves would have been much different than today, or even when Paul lived. Misogyny and mistreatment of women is inconsistent with Paul’s preaching in 1 Corinthians and in other books that we are all equal, and considered God’s
children. The similarity in the portrayal of the devil becomes evident in both Enoch and 1 Timothy. In these passages, Satan is believed to be a primary object in causing obstacles that prevent humans from living a fully harmonious and devoted Christian lifestyle. Temptation also comes into play when referring to engaging in immoral sexual or social activities. Pride and Greed are other sins discussed in each of these passages, with each compromising the ability for Christians to devote themselves fully to God. On the other hand, 1 Corinthians discusses the importance of commitment and fulfilling duties within relationships, while at the same time maintaining your relationship with God. Due to the difference in message and Satan portrayed in these passages, there is adequate evidence to determine that 1 Corinthians was never written by Paul, but instead someone else writing as him.

References

Derynck, Tracy (2013) Class notes - Book of the watchers. Retrieved from Mount Royal
University RELS 3302 Blackboard website: https://courseware.mymru.ca/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_186575_1%26url%3D

Derynck, Tracy (2013) Epistles notes. Retrieved from Mount Royal University RELS 3302 Blackboard website: https://courseware.mymru.ca/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_186575_1%26url%3D

The Book of Enoch, Section I. (n.d.). The Book of Enoch, Section I. Retrieved February 11, 2014, from http://www.ccel.org/c/charles/otpseudepig/