Understanding Oppressive Texts in the New Testament Through a Missionary Lens

Sep 14, 2016

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Unpacking one of the most misunderstood elements of the Bible, Mike Erre and Andy explore how seemingly oppressive passages on household roles—particularly around women, slavery, and children—can actually be understood as revolutionary in their original cultural context. Episode 44 walks through a compelling thought experiment rooted in modern-day Saudi Arabia to reframe the function of the New Testament’s household codes within a Roman Empire driven by patriarchy and social hierarchy.

This episode links past and present, showing how the moral teachings of Paul and Peter were strategic missional tools, not static moral laws, designed to make the gospel beautiful and compelling in an unbelieving world. Learn why the early church encouraged cultural conformity in submission, gender, and familial relationships—not out of endorsement of injustice but out of a radical desire to subvert structures from within.

Key Takeaways: • The Power of Cultural Context – How Paul and Peter’s household codes aligned with Roman moral expectations not to reinforce oppression, but to remove unnecessary barriers to the gospel. • Mission Over Personal Rights – A Christian’s personal freedom is secondary to representing Christ attractively to a skeptical world; this ethic still challenges us today. • Revolution From Within – The New Testament subversively planted seeds in patriarchal systems that would eventually dismantle them, particularly in how men were called to love, not dominate. • Why the Church Should Rethink Power – Christianity has always flourished in exile or marginalization, not as a political power structure. • Women, Leadership & Gospel Witness – Reframing the conversation on whether limiting women’s roles in church institutions still aligns with the gospel’s expansion.

Resources Mentioned: • David Instone-Brewer – Writings on ancient Judaism, divorce, and Jesus' social context. • Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither male nor female, slave nor free…” • Colossians & Ephesians – Biblical household codes and how they are differentiated from Aristotle’s. • Dallas Willard – Theological inspiration on joyful resistance and noncompliance. • Historical figures: Josephus and Philo – Illustrating Jewish parallels in accommodating Roman social norms.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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