Answering Atheists: The Case of the Slandered Bride (Deuteronomy 22:13-21)

Deuteronomy 22:13-21 tells about the case of the slandered bride. Some atheists or feminists try to use it to prove the Bible is anti-women or misogynistic. However, further inspection of the Scriptures and historical context may tell us a different story.

Many critics claim the Bible treats women as property. This teaching examines passages often cited to support that idea, such as the tenth commandment and various laws in Deuteronomy. By reading these texts in context, the study shows that wives were not considered property but equal partners and that instructions about marriage, dowry, and redemption actually protect women’s dignity. The teaching concludes that the Bible does not paint women as inferior or property, but affirms their value as "ezer kenegdo," a helper suitable to man.

The Bible is often accused of being misogynistic; one of the main questions asked is “can women speak in church?” and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is cited where Paul says for women to be silent. Why would Paul say such a thing?

There are some groups out there (atheists, radical feminists, and others) that believe the Bible is misogynistic, demeans women, and even endorses polygamy. We’ve addressed the idea of the Bible being misogynistic in other teachings, now we are going to examine the accusation that the Bible does endorse polygamy, that is, a man having more than one wife at a time.