What Role Did Women Play In The Early Development Of Christianity

Traditionally in ancient studies of various civilizations, women assume a submissive role as caretaker of the house and family. Generally, this trend continues throughout early organized society until around the time of sixty four A.D. with the rapid spread and judgment of the new religious dynamic of Christianity. The novel faith becomes notorious for the strong ties and companionship between members of the community as well as the appealing views of a compassionate deity and rewarding afterlife. These characteristics attracted women and impoverished peoples of Rome in particular. As the belief system caught on in the Empire many pagans and Emperors such as Nero rejected the faith and began to persecute these people for their beliefs. The

Although beliefs about female sins never went away, women were worshiped for their qualities of devotion, kindness, and grace. It was known that women were more religious and kind than men. For many women, religion has been a map to help them to understand their place in the world. As women grew to Christianity and God they development their lives around practices like fasting, worshiping and reading the bible. All religious women have been associated together by the rules of their traditions.

Women in this time had to be more religious than men. They were religious because being religious was easy for woman because it helped them stay in their domain which was their home. The woman can pray and speak of Christ without ever leaving their home or going to church. As well as teaching themselves about God's work, they were also entitled to teach those who lied in the house as well. They

“Then, as the church became fused with the secular, misogynistic society of Rome, Christ’s attitude toward women and the doctrine of equality were purposely forgotten,” 21, 34

More women joined the Christian Church than men because Christianity was more appealing to women than any other religion or paganism. Christian women enjoyed much higher status than the Greco-Roman women. They

They had beliefs that individuals from the Catholic Church wouldn’t understand. All women stand tall and have important roles just like men.

In unit 3 the role of women in early Christianity was discussed. It is no doubt that women were seen as inferior beings to men during these times.

Once Jesus of Nazareth was born, and the New Testament was written, women began to play a larger role in the church. Although men such as Peter were still significant, women became more involved in the establishment of the Church.

In the Gospel of Mary, circa 120-180 AD, Mary Magdalene displays that women exercised agency by being a vessel of God and finding favor with the Lord. Beginning in the first paragraph of the work, it states, “Andrew and Peter question her veracity and ask why a woman should become a favorite disciple” (The Gospel of Mary 53). This demonstrates that men did not understand why a woman would be seen as a greater or more trustworthy being themselves as Christ’s inoculator. However, Mary remains humble, and she uses her agency to teach the men. Mary shows her willingness to enlighten the men when it is stated, “Mary answered, ‘What’s concealed from you I’ll tell; I saw him in a vision and I told him’” (The Gospel of Mary 57). This demonstrates Mary’s power over the males. In this situation, she holds knowledge that only she can give to them. This allows for her to become the individual in

In the earliest of Christian texts, there is talk about what women did in the Church and the important roles they played (Fiddes, 1990; Fontaine, 1996). Many women were activists during that time, and they spent time focusing on their studies and duties to their households and to their God. In Corinth, for example, it was believed that a Jewish missionary woman who came from Rome helped to found the

Christianity’s acclaim rose in the third century due to its unique characteristics and the popularity of mystery religions. Christianity, this early on, had historic significance to many because it was recent. Many could have claimed to have had ancestors that saw Jesus or heard his disciples preach. These elements led to the surge in Christianity, and its effect on Roman women, although minor, could be seen in Saint Augustine’s Confessions and in Tacitus’s Agricola. In both Paganism and Christianity, Roman women, although respected, did not have many rights and suffered many problems in marriage, yet as mothers they were viewed in a more positive light. Christianity, you would think, would lead to a moral Roman society, but it just made the

Without the religious influence of the noble women during the 6th century, Christianity would not have spread so quickly throughout the Germanic world. Their independent lifestyle allowed for the ability to influence noble men and subjects towards Christianity while overseeing the construction of religious buildings.

In my thesis essay, I choose Christianity as my essay topic, in my essay I will cover the common characteristics how Christianity contribute to the modern world. And how the role of the women has changed over time based on Christianity religion. I hope to show my professor that I fully understand the subject I am writing on while developing a conclusion of my essay. Christianity creation even though the organ may seem long, according to biblical terms Christianity was formed appormiety around 6300 B.C. around this time Romans were just taking and enslaving Jews. Rome who at this time had complete control had wanted Jews to believe in many Gods as well however the Jews were not concerned with all these Gods. They were focused on one God.

Now I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and

Thus, the fear of lost control and power of the male hegemonic dominance, women have been ostracized, discriminated, and misunderstood; displacing them in a gloomy mansard. The most disconcerting thing is that women for centuries have been convincing themselves of that diabolical idea. It is true that there have been some glimmers of light that have been recognized by the patriarchal authority that governs the world. However, today women are not allowed to shine in all their splendor. This is precisely what I understand about Mary Magdalene’s place in the Savior’s physical and spiritual life. Her presences is vital in the transmission, guidance, understanding, and teaching of the Savior’s message.