Sitting at the Feet of the Lord

This is a very powerful story for women. Here Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to his teaching.

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42 ESV

Only in a literal translation do we get the comparison with Paul.

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. Acts 22:3-5 ESV

Paul claims that he was taught by Gamaliel in the law of the fathers, by saying that he was educated at the feet of Gamaliel. Being at someone's feet was to be a pupil, to be taught by someone. A less literal translation might prevent us from making this comparison between Paul and Mary. Martha was scolding Mary not only because she was not helping in the kitchen but because she was taking a male role, being seen to be taught by a man. But Jesus said,

"Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

Ironically Poythress and Grudem have claimed this role of Mary's for themselves. Here is what they say.

On the other hand, the Bible is also an incredibly profound book. The wisdom of God in the Bible is unsearchably rich and deep. ... God invites us to go on, to hear more, to learn more, to sit at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39), to digest the vast richness of biblical wisdom. God calls on us to grow in wisdom by meditating on and absorbing his Word.

But still they ask women to accept a difference in prominence, order, leadership and representation between men and women, because that is how Jesus wanted it.

And I do get tired of those posts that demonstrate how 'woman shall be saved through childbearing' means women shall only experience (some stage or other of salvation, forgive me if I forget which one) if they stay in the domestic sphere. That is not what Jesus said. He actually said that Mary had chosen the good portion, and it shall not be taken from her.