 Tuesday, April 29th 2014
Is there any truth to the ancient myth of so-called Amazon women, a race of warlike female conquerors? Leaving aside Wonder Woman, the idea, borrowed from Greek mythology, is intriguing to feminists. According to Smithsonian magazine, the origins of the debate can be traced back to a Swiss law professor and classical scholar named Johann Jakob Bachofen. In 1861 Bachofen published his thesis that the Amazons were not a myth but a fact. In his view, humanity started out under the rule of womankind and only switched to patriarchy at the dawn of civilization. Freidrich Engles and Karl Marx believed such balderdash, that there was a pre-patriarchal age when the evils of class, property and war were unknown. As Engles put it, with typical Communist spin, “The man took command in the home also; the woman was degraded and reduced to servitude; she became the slave of his lust and a mere instrument for the production of children.” Freud joined the fray, declaring that such tales revealed the neuroses of Greek males and that the women riding horses were actually astride phalluses. Seriously? Fast forward to pop culture today. Beyonce bounces her way across the stage with barely concealed titillation. Gaga, whose fame is fading quickly, writhes nearly naked and sings of sex with Judas. Katy, Britney, Miley – well, you get the picture. These divas aren’t exactly warriors, though they do have their sights set on conquering the ticket-buying masses. All these examples, from the wrecking-ball (insider pop culture awareness test) of Ms. Miley to the Egyptology (another awareness test) of Ms. Perry, point back to Lilith-the first female power symbol of history and an actual demon. Jewish mystical legend has it that Lilith was Adam’s true first wife, and Eve was a usurper. This legend carries on with Aphrodite, Venus, Diana, Isis, et al. including the demon which now embodies this evil we call “Jezebel.” While stories of Amazons may seem exotic and ideas of demons may not be taken seriously by many Christians, I must issue a warning. Mothers, don’t let your girls grow up to be fans of pop music female icons. These are modern-day Amazons who will indeed conquer the spiritual values of your female offspring.
An encouraging word: REAL PERESECUTION “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us,” Paul wrote in Romans 8:18. To most in North America, that means an illness, a financial setback, perhaps a difficulty on the job. But I’ve been to many parts of the world where those words mean real persecution. Loss of a church building. True discrimination on the job. Prison. Threatened loss of life. Even death. Don’t forget that some Christians around the world are suffering, even dying for their faith. That is real persecution, and they need our prayers daily.
Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did� (Luke 4:18). You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online. |
