Abstract

RHEEDER, Adriaan L.. Appeal to scriptures in the formation of an ethical point of view: An ethical understanding of women in the Bible. In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2012, vol.46, n.2, pp.1-9. ISSN 2305-0853.

In a previous article it was argued that the grammatical-historical method of Bible exposition was no longer sufficient as sole method and should be supplemented with other hermeneutical points of departure. Following the discussion of two hermeneutical points in a previous article (Rheeder 2012), this article will discuss three other hermeneutical points of departure, namely counterculture, non-scientific scope and moral-ethical interpretation. The counter-cultural point of departure is based on the belief that authentic witness in Scripture is found in that which is different (that which deviates) from the surrounding ancient culture, while a non-scientific scope starts from the view that scientific (or empirical) knowledge in the Bible is outside the scope or intent of Scripture. The point of departure of the moral-theological interpretation is the view that a moral-theological evaluation of love should inform the choice between two conflicting but mutually acceptable interpretations. It is concluded that an ethical understanding of women in the Bible means that women should be regarded and treated as equal to men, which leads to the further conclusion that all offices in the church should be open to women.

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