Androcentrism refers to a worldview centered on men and masculine interests, interpretations, and experiences. It comes from the Greek words andros meaning “man” and kentron meaning “center”. Androcentrism elevates men and the masculine perspective above women and the feminine perspective. It assumes that male experience is the normative human experience. This results in the overlooking and undervaluing of women’s experiences, contributions, interests, and perspectives.
The Bible presents a complex picture regarding gender relations and perspectives. On one hand, it was written in historical contexts shaped by androcentric assumptions and values. Many of its authors and original audiences were men living in male-dominated societies. As a result, the text often reflects androcentric biases in its language, portrayals of women, and neglect of women’s perspectives.
For example, genealogies tend to focus on male ancestors (Gen 5, 1 Chr 1-9). Leadership roles like priests and kings were restricted to men. Biblical authors often portrayed women according to patriarchal stereotypes – as wives, mothers, temptresses, and victims of abuse. The Law contains concessions to practices like polygamy that subordinated women. And books like Proverbs present simplistic caricatures of “good” and “bad” women.
On the other hand, the trajectory of Scripture points towards equality and mutuality between men and women. Though emerging from a patriarchal context, the Bible contains seeds that undermine androcentrism. For instance, it teaches that women and men are both made in God’s image (Gen 1:27). They play complementary roles in God’s mission (Judges 4-5, Luke 8:1-3). And they share equal status as heirs of God’s salvation (Gal 3:28).
The Bible affirms women’s intrinsic worth and dignity. It commends strong, godly women like Ruth, Esther, Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, and Junia. Stories of barren women highlight God’s care for the marginalized (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and Elizabeth). The wisdom tradition presents wisdom as a woman calling all people to embrace her (Proverbs 1-9). And the Gospels show Jesus affirming and empowering women despite cultural taboos.
While retaining marks of the patriarchal context from which it emerged, the overall arc of Scripture bends towards gender equity. As Christians interpret the Bible today, we must be discerning. Where Scripture reflects androcentric assumptions, we should reject those as culturally conditioned rather than normative for all times and places. And we should uplift the more redemptive threads in Scripture that align with gender equality.
Examples of Androcentrism in the Bible
Male-Centered Genealogies
Biblical genealogies overwhelmingly focus on male ancestors and privilege sons over daughters. For example:
- The genealogy from Adam to Noah names no women (Genesis 5:1-32).
- The only women named in Jesus’ genealogy are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Mary (Matthew 1:1-17).
- Primogeniture prioritized inheritance by the firstborn son (Deuteronomy 21:15-17).
Such genealogies reflect androcentric assumptions. They show that men’s names and lines of descent mattered most in biblical times. But this does not mean that women’s lives and legacies were unimportant. Genesis emphasizes women like Eve, Sarah, and Rachel despite excluding them from genealogies. And the inclusion of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and other women in Jesus’ genealogy subtly challenges androcentrism.
Restriction of Leadership Roles to Men
The Bible restricted certain leadership roles in Israel to men:
- Only sons of Aaron could become priests (Numbers 3:10).
- Kings had to be male to guarantee dynastic succession (1 Kings 1:28-53).
- Synagogue rulers were men (Luke 8:41).
- Jesus’ twelve disciples were all male.
Such restrictions reflected standard patriarchal practices in biblical cultures. But this does not mean that women never led or that leadership is inherently male. Biblical women like Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Priscilla (Acts 18:26), and Junia (Romans 16:7) exercised influential leadership roles at times.
Portrayal of Women as Wives and Mothers
Biblical authors often portrayed women in terms of their marital and maternal roles. For example:
- The fall story penalizes Eve with pain in childbearing (Genesis 3:16).
- Leah and Rachel compete to bear Jacob’s heirs (Genesis 29:31-30:24).
- The book of Ruth focuses on Ruth’s wifely loyalty to Naomi.
- The gospels highlight Mary’s role as Jesus’ mother.
Such portrayals valued women primarily for their domestic and reproductive contributions. But women’s identities encompassed far more. Though largely unnamed, women fulfilled crucial economic roles, as in the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. And the gospels portray Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2), Joanna (Luke 8:3), and other women exercising discipleship beyond domestic spheres.
Silencing of Women’s Voices
The Bible contains few narratives told from women’s perspectives. With some exceptions like Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10) and the poetry of Mary (Luke 1:46-55) and Elizabeth (Luke 1:41-45), women’s voices are largely absent from Scripture. Their stories are told by male narrators. This silence reflects the muting of women’s voices in biblical cultures. But it does not imply that women had nothing to say worth hearing and recording.
Countering Androcentrism in Biblical Interpretation
Androcentric assumptions shaped much of Scripture. But biblical interpreters can counter excessive androcentrism by:
- Recognizing the patriarchal backdrop of biblical cultures that colored how stories were told.
- Amplifying the countercultural passages that undermine androcentric perspectives.
- Considering how texts might look from female perspectives.
- Retrieving insights from women’s history and experience.
- Advocating for gender-inclusive translations and interpretations.
With discernment, Christians can interpret Scripture in ways that honor God’s empowering and liberating Word while resisting human tendencies toward bias. Though arising out of ancient patriarchal cultures, God’s Word transcends and transforms limiting perspectives – speaking good news to both women and men.
