Appraising women's contribution to apostolic work in the New Testament

Scientific Essay from the year 2017 in the subject Theology - Miscellaneous, grade: A.1, , course: WOMEN AND RELIGION, language: English, abstract: Despite pronounced and lingering patriarchy and the contemptuous treatment of women as well as their contributions to the society and virtually all human endeavours, studies have proven women's enormous contribution to humanity and divinity. Descriptively and objectively, this study appraises women's enormous contributions to the Church, particularly in the New Testament era as well as in relation to the contemporary era. God, knowing woman more than man can ever attempt, created Eve for Adam's companionship, help, support and procreation and chose Mary Blessed virgin to be the mother of Jesus. The most distinct role the woman had played to divinity is her conception, carrying and bringing of God the son, Jesus Christ, to the earth for the redemption of mankind. This study has found that women contributed enormously to apostolic work in the New Testament in several ways. It recommends that it is high time we devoted more literature and other forms of arts appreciation to women, past and present, rather than playing down such roles. There is need to appreciate women for whatever role they have played right from the beginning of Christ's ministry through His disciples' apostolic work to the present Church's activities, well being/fare, growth and development. The study is anchored on the modernisation feminism theory, which rejects patriarchy. Qualitative approach, text-content analysis and both primary and secondary sources of data collation are employed. Several library print materials and the internet sources make up the secondary data sources, while interview, observation and intuition form the primary sources.