Often one hears the Objection that Christianity treats Women with less respect because
Eve is supposedly considered the culprit of Original Sinn in the Garden eden.
First i would like to point out, that we do not call it " Eve's sin “ , sin came into the world through one Man” (Romans 5:12)
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man , the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:20-22:
In Order to understand how Christians ( that is always Catholics ) few the
story of Adam and Eve it is Necessary to Understand the Teaching of the Church
in this regard. The Idea of " Sola Scribtura " Latin for " only the Bible"
is a 15 century invention of the Protestant Reformation and we Catholics
do and have never seen the Bible as a text that interprets it' self.
It is not to be taken Literal as some Protestants do and it is to be
understood in the Light of the Teachings of the Saints.
"The account of the fall in Genesis 3 uses figurative language, but affirms a primeval event, a deed that took place at the beginning of the history of man."
Note the words "figurative language" they are not to be seen in a Literal sense.
(from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (COTCC)
Secondly in The Catholic Tradition ( that is the 2000 Year History of Christianity )this Story of Adam and Eve is only Half of the Story, and must be seen in the Larger unfolding of the Love story between Humanity and its Creator . Adam and Eve are seen as Archetypes ,
later in the "New Adam and the New Eve " which are the Titles of Mary and Christ.
The expression New Adam and New Eve are common expressions that have been used
since the Beginning of Christianity and show How Christians View the
Role of the Archetype called Eve (meaning Live), for example :
St Irenaeus Bishop of Lyon wrought in 115 AD:
"Just as the former - that is, Eve - was seduced by the words of an angel so that she turned away from God by disobeying his word, so the latter - Mary - received the good news from an angel's announcement in such a way as to give birth to God by obeying his word; and as the former was seduced so that she disobeyed God, the latter let herself be convinced to obey God, and so the Virgin Mary became the advocate of the virgin Eve. And as the human race was subjected to death by a virgin, it was liberated by a Virgin; a virgin's disobedience was thus counterbalanced by a Virgin's obedience..."
This evidently shows how Women have a leading role,
In this same Spirit the Church Teaches :
" The Mother of the Redeemer … is already prophetically foreshadowed in the promise of victory over the serpent which was given to our first parents after their fall into sin.The Blessed Virgin … by her belief and obedience, not knowing man but overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, as the new Eve brought forth on earth the very Son of the Father, showing an undefiled faith, not in the word of the ancient serpent, but in that of God’s messenger. "
( COTCC 55.)
"The Virgin Mary 'cooperated through free faith and obedience in human salvation'. She uttered her "yes" 'in the name of all human nature'. By her obedience she became the New Eve, mother of the living" (n. 511). By her conduct, Mary reminds each of us of our serious responsibility to accept God's plan for our lives. In total obedience to the saving will of God expressed in the angel's words, she becomes a model for those whom the Lord proclaims blessed, because they "hear the word of God and keep it"(Lk 11:28)
Mother Mary the "New Eve" is the role model and the Foremost Saint
of Christians true out the Ages.
"the Fathers see Mary not merely as passively engaged by God but as freely co- operating in the work of man's salvation through faith and obedience. For, as St Irenaeus says, she 'being obedient, became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race. "
Pope John Paul II
IN BRIEF
By pronouncing her "fiat" at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Savior and head of the Mystical Body.
The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body.
"We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ"
So to Understand the role of Eve in the Light of Christianity one
has to understand it as an Archetype that occurs again and again true out the Old Testament until this story culminates in the " Yes " of Mary
the Mother of God.
"When Adam and his wife were expelled from Paradise, Adam gave her the name Eve (mother) “because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3, 20). In 1 Corinthians 15, 22 St. Paul teaches us: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” Just as we have a new Adam in Christ, we have a new Eve in Our Blessed Mother, Mary
In A.D. 387 Saint Ambrose of Milan wrought:
"The first thing which kindles ardor in learning is the greatness of the teacher. What is greater to teach by example than the Mother of God? What more glorious than she whom Glory Itself chose? For why should I speak of her other virtues? She was a virgin not only in body but also in mind, who stained the sincerity of its disposition by no guile, who was humble in heart, grave in speech, prudent in mind, sparing of words, studious in reading, resting her hope not on uncertain riches, but on the prayer of the poor, intent on work, modest in discourse; wont to seek not man but God as the judge of her thoughts, to injure no one, to have goodwill towards all, to rise up before her elders, not to envy her equals, to avoid boastfulness, to follow reason, to love virtue. When did she pain her parents even by a look? When did she disagree with her neighbors? When did she despise the lowly? When did she avoid the needy?"
As i have tried to show above Mary is also called the " New Eve " or
simply "Our Lady " a other name of is " Mother of God"
in Greek Theotokos and hear Beauty and hear role in the Salvation of Humanity
is invoked in many Catholic Hymns one of which is the Beautiful Akathist Hymn, from the 6th century Constantinopel :
""
Unto you, O Theotokos, invincible Champion, your City, in thanksgiving ascribes the victory for the deliverance from sufferings. And having your might unassailable, free us from all dangers, so that we may cry unto you:
Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin.
The Archangel was sent from Heaven to cry 'Rejoice!' to the Theotokos. And beholding You, O Lord, taking bodily form, he stood in awe, and with his bodiless voice he cried aloud to her such things as these:
Rejoice, you through whom joy shall shine forth. Rejoice, you whom the curse will vanish.
Rejoice, the Restoration of fallen Adam. Rejoice, the Redemption of the tears of Eve.
Rejoice, O Height beyond human logic. Rejoice, O depth invisible even to the eyes of Angels.
Rejoice, for you are the King's throne.
Rejoice, you bear Him, Who bears the universe.
Rejoice, O Star revealing the Sun.
Rejoice, O Womb of divine Incarnation.
Rejoice, you through whom creation is renewed.
Rejoice, you through whom the Creator is born a Babe.
Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin.
""
Hail, O you who gave birth to Light ineffably!
Hail, O you who surpass the wisdom of the wise!
Hail, O you who enlighten faithful minds!
Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!
""
Hail, O Key to the Doors of Paradise!
Hail, for the heavenly rejoice with the earth!
Hail, for the earthly meet the heavens in song!
Hail, the Unsilenced Voice of the Apostles!
Hail, O Shining Emblem of Grace!
Hail, O you through whom death was despoiled!
Hail, O you through whom we were clothed with glory!
Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!
""
Hail, O Radiance of the Mystical Day!
Hail, O Light of those who search the Trinity!
Hail, O you who unthroned the Enemy of Men!
Hail, O you who showed forth Christ the Lord, Lover of Mankind!
Hail, O you who guide the faithful toward wisdom!
The Creator displayed a new creation to us who had come from Him: He came forth from a womb that had received no seed, and He left it intact as it had been, so that at the sight of this marvel, we would sing to her and cry out:
Hail, O Blossom of Incorruption!
Hail, O Crown of Self-mastery!
Hail, O you who shone forth as a Sign of Resurrection!
Hail, O you who displayed the Life of Angels!
Hail, Fruitful Tree from whom believers feed!
Hail, Shady Glen where many are sheltered!
Hail, Indulgence of many who have fallen!
Hail, O Stole for those who lack freedom to speak!
Hail, O Tenderness who exceed all desire!
Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!
By singing praise to your maternity, we all exalt you as a spiritual temple, Mother of God! For the One Who Dwelt Within Your Womb, the Lord Who Holds All Things in His Hands, sanctified you, glorified you, and taught all men to sing to you:
Hail, O Tabernacle of God the Word!
Hail, O Holy One, more holy than the saints!
Hail, O Ark that the Spirit has gilded!
Hail, Inexhaustible Treasure of Life!
Hail, Precious Crown of rightful authorities!
Hail, Sacred Glory of reverent priests!
Hail, Unshakable Tower of the Church!
Hail, Unbreachable Wall of the Kingdom!
Hail, O you through whom the trophies are raised!
Hail, O you through whom the enemies are routed!
Hail, O healing of my body!
Hail, O salvation of my soul!
Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!
[RESPONSE]: Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!
O Mother worthy of all praise, you who have given birth to the Word, the Holiest of the Holy, accept this present offering, deliver all men from every affliction, and save from the future punishment those who cry out to you: "Alleluia!"
[RESPONSE]: Alleluia!
Gabriel was rapt in amazement as he beheld your virginity and the splendor of your purity, O Mother of God, and he cried out to you: "By what name shall I call you? I am bewildered; I am lost! I shall greet you as I was commanded to do: 'Hail, O Woman full of Grace!'"
* This is a Short exerpt from the Akathist Hymn.
http://lent.goarch.org/akathist_hymn/listen/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJipuoCREPE
With this invocation to the Blessed Mother of God i end this lengthy post , it was a joy to wright this. I am sure it's too long and makes no sense
as well as the Flow of my thoughts are not well connected with the subject matter but this is where the Spirit has led me today...
Blessings to ALL
More links to the Topics:
http://catholiclane.com/ark-of-grace-ch-3-mary-is-the-new-eve/
for a deeper understanding of How Eve is Mary : http://catholicdefense.blogspot.com/2011/12/mary-new-eve.html
link : http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=5673
for more on the role of "the Women " in Christianity : http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p6.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus'_interactions_with_women
http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/jesusandwomen/
The full Akathist Hymn can be found here: http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=249
