Bible Quote by Matthew Reilly
““The Church’s war against women occurred not under Christ—who by all accounts held women as equals to men—but through the writings of St Irenaeus and Tertullian, and that most cruel woman-hater of them all, St Paul, whose hostile views on women were unfortunately included in the Bible. But let me be clear, it is not only a Catholic problem; it is a Christian one: Martin Luther, the scourge of the old Church, shares its views on women. He once wrote: “Girls begin to talk and to stand on their feet sooner than boys because weeds always grow up more quickly than good crops.” Weeds! Weeds!””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Historical critique of Christian doctrine, various authors, 20th century
The quote argues that misogyny in Christianity stems from early church fathers and reformers, not from Christ himself, highlighting a pattern of patriarchal interpretation across denominations.
In simple terms: Christian teachings have been used to oppress women historically.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge patriarchal interpretations.
Themes
gender
religion
history
misogyny
authority
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
historical
theological
When to use this quote
- theology studies
- gender equality activism
- educational curricula
- interfaith dialogues
Key Concepts
patriarchal doctrine
interpretation bias
institutional power
Questions to Reflect On
- How have modern Christian groups addressed these historical biases?
- What role does scholarship play in reinterpreting scripture?
A Different Perspective
The quote generalizes all Christian traditions and may overlook progressive voices within them.
