Jesus Lifts Women in Society

In Jesus Skeptic, award-winning journalist John Dickerson shares how Christianity has benefited society through the arts, through the scientific revolution, through developing hospitals and universities and much more. He writes, “We say that a fish doesn’t know what water is because water is all they have ever known. In a similar way, we who have been born into American or European cultures have a difficult time understanding what society without Christian influence would actually look like.” [1]
 
He noticed a correlation between women’s rights and societies influenced by Christianity. He continues, “To my surprise, the countries with the best women’s rights all have predominately Christian populations. And the countries with the worst women’s rights are where Christianity has been outlawed or is socially punished. … On average, Christians make up 75 percent of the populations in the nations that lead the world with the best women’s rights, including matters such as equal pay, the right to vote, the right not to be sold into marriage, and a striving toward equal rights in all areas.” [2]
 
In each of the ten worst countries for women’s rights, according to the non-Christian World Economic Forum, none of them are Christian dominant societies and eight out of ten have less than five percent Christian populations. Most of these nations have outlawed Christianity. In these nations, women are not allowed to vote, nor go to school. Often they will be denied the ability to drive a car. “In some [countries], girls are still sold into marriage. Even worse, in some of these cultures, a woman gets physically punished if she is found ‘guilty’ of being raped by a man.” [3]
 
I agree with Dickerson’s final analysis when he says, “No matter how much you may respect other global cultures, if you have a daughter, sister, or mother, you do not want her living in one of these societies.” [4]
 
It is so easy to take it for granted when you are living in a Christian-influenced society, which lifts the status of women. God’s Word is clear that men and women are both equally made in the image of God.

Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (NKJV)

Men and women both have equal dignity before God. Though we should appreciate the differences that exist, it should always be within the context of recognizing the equal standing men and women both have in the eyes of God.

Dear God, thank You for the freedoms that I enjoy living in America. Thank You for how Jesus has lifted women in society. I pray we never take it for granted. In Jesus' name, amen.

[1] John Dickerson, Jesus Skeptic (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book, 2019), 40.
[2] Ibid., 40-42.
[3] Ibid., 42.
[4] Ibid.