Women in the Arts

Throughout history, it seems that women have been suppressed when it comes to art, music, literature, etc. There isn't really anything in the Bible that states explicitly about rules for women in this area, but this along with some general statements about the subject of art and music have brought me to the following conclusions:

Why isn't it mentioned?

The reason the Bible doesn't specify the role of women in the arts is that everyone is automatically expected to create beautiful things. He put humans on earth to rule over the plants and animals and to care for the earth he created. Man and woman were to be partners, and so it makes sense that they are both equally responsible. Both man and woman were created to recognize the beauty in the world.

Both men and women in the Bible sing and make music. In Exodus 15:20-21, we see that Aaron's sister Miriam led the Israelites in their song of rejoicing.

In Luke 1:46-55, Mary sings a song that is documented in full. Since the Renaissance, the text of Mary's song has been given many musical settings in multiple languages, and is called the Magnificat. It remains today as a part of the Daily Office in the Catholic church. More information can be found at http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/magnificat.html

Making music was a major part of life in the Bible. In Psalm 92, David says:

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp." Psalm 92:1-3

And in Psalm 33:

"Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." Psalm 33:2-3

And again in Psalm 81:

"Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre." Psalm 81:2

And yet again in Psalm 96:

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among the peoples." Psalm 96:1-3

This is only a very small fraction of these that can be found--the Psalms are full of such passages. But every single instance is a general proclamation, and in several David declares that the whole earth sings to the Lord--everything that has breath, and everything that doesn't. In each verse that mentions music, singing, or praises, it is either referring to God's faithful people or the entire earth. It does not say that only men can make music, or that women don't make music.

Music is All-Inclusive

In Ephesians 5, Paul tells the people of Ephesus

"...Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord" Ephesians 5:18b-19 

So we can see that music is all-inclusive, for both men and women are children of God and all are commanded to make music. The fact that women were not given opportunities throughout history to create music and other forms of art is unjust and were based on whatever patriarchal system was in place. Men and women alike are perfectly capable of creating beautiful things and we can see today the great impact that women have had on the world of the arts.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8