Mary Wollstonecraft writes a well developed argument against the indecent treatment of men delivered by women in her day. Specifically, I want to analyze her reference to "Moses's poetical story".
First, I'm not certain concerning her view of God or scripture, but assume that she is at the very least a God-fearer. Her reference to the account of Moses in Genesis as poetry was unsatisfactory to my wearied eyes, but I will ignore her word choice in referencing it and continue with the connection. She says the following:
"Probably the prevailing opinion, that woman was created for man, may have taken its rise from Moses's poetical story; yet as very few, it is presumed, who have bestowed any serious thought on the subject, ever supposed that Eve was, literally speaking, one of Adam's ribs, the deduction must be allowed to fall to the ground; or only be so far admitted as it proves that man... found it convenient to exert his strength to subjugate his companion...because the whole creation was only created for his convenience or pleasure."
Bear with me, that was a long quote, but I believe every word of it was necessary for me to ask the following questions: Does Wollstonecraft believe that the creation account in Genesis is Mythology? Does she not see why Eve was pulled from Adam's rib and not his foot or his shoulder?
To start, I would quickly argue that the creation account in Genesis is true, but also caution her to avoid the conclusion that creation was focused solely on man's pleasure. We understand that God had created everything until just before man, proclaiming "It was good", and it truly was good. God is a masterful creator and elegantly design amazing life. However, after creating man, God said in Genesis 2:18 "It is not good that man should be alone". This is not to discredit God's creation of man, but to say that he was not finished. God created Eve literally from Adam's rib, but I think it is crucial to understand why this is important. I'm sure many have heard that Eve was created from Adam's side, to be his companion; for if she was created from his feet it would signify she was below him; or above him if created from his shoulders. Not only this, but each were created in the image of God in Genesis 1:27, and the Apostle Paul defends the spiritual worth of women and others stating "...for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
I simply had a critique on her conclusion that if the creation account were true, that it means that creation was simply to fulfill the desires of man. God created and it was good, but more importantly it glorified Him, before He even created man. As a result of the Fall, men no longer take responsibility and righteously care for women, and women seek after the authority of man. Many of Wollstonecraft's critiques are simply toward a fallen mankind who does not love and respect women according to Scripture.
I commented on the posts of Gray and Addison.
First, I'm not certain concerning her view of God or scripture, but assume that she is at the very least a God-fearer. Her reference to the account of Moses in Genesis as poetry was unsatisfactory to my wearied eyes, but I will ignore her word choice in referencing it and continue with the connection. She says the following:
"Probably the prevailing opinion, that woman was created for man, may have taken its rise from Moses's poetical story; yet as very few, it is presumed, who have bestowed any serious thought on the subject, ever supposed that Eve was, literally speaking, one of Adam's ribs, the deduction must be allowed to fall to the ground; or only be so far admitted as it proves that man... found it convenient to exert his strength to subjugate his companion...because the whole creation was only created for his convenience or pleasure."
Bear with me, that was a long quote, but I believe every word of it was necessary for me to ask the following questions: Does Wollstonecraft believe that the creation account in Genesis is Mythology? Does she not see why Eve was pulled from Adam's rib and not his foot or his shoulder?
To start, I would quickly argue that the creation account in Genesis is true, but also caution her to avoid the conclusion that creation was focused solely on man's pleasure. We understand that God had created everything until just before man, proclaiming "It was good", and it truly was good. God is a masterful creator and elegantly design amazing life. However, after creating man, God said in Genesis 2:18 "It is not good that man should be alone". This is not to discredit God's creation of man, but to say that he was not finished. God created Eve literally from Adam's rib, but I think it is crucial to understand why this is important. I'm sure many have heard that Eve was created from Adam's side, to be his companion; for if she was created from his feet it would signify she was below him; or above him if created from his shoulders. Not only this, but each were created in the image of God in Genesis 1:27, and the Apostle Paul defends the spiritual worth of women and others stating "...for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
I simply had a critique on her conclusion that if the creation account were true, that it means that creation was simply to fulfill the desires of man. God created and it was good, but more importantly it glorified Him, before He even created man. As a result of the Fall, men no longer take responsibility and righteously care for women, and women seek after the authority of man. Many of Wollstonecraft's critiques are simply toward a fallen mankind who does not love and respect women according to Scripture.
I commented on the posts of Gray and Addison.
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