Every Woman Has A Name (Dragontown, 2001)

We’ve visited the Dragontown LP numerous times on the “Fridays With Alice” journey – the album is an insightful look at the world and how it operates. The songs and lyrics are gruesome yet truthful depictions of how awry society has become, willing to force God out and invite evil in to manifest and reside.

Close to the end of such misery and disdain on the LP is perhaps the finest ballad ever written by Alice Cooper – a song that expresses the importance of a woman – her identity, her self-worth, her place in this world and society.

“On an album in which so much human ugliness is explored and highlighted with graphic description, the ballad “Every Woman Has A Name” emerges as a rare moment of truly touching humanity and tenderness.” – Ian Chapman, Experience Alice Cooper: A Listener’s Companion

“Every Woman Has A Name” is a heartwarming song and narrative that visualizes the struggle and plight of womanhood while also stirring the mind and soul – allowing the listener to experience gratitude and thankfulness for the women present in their lives.

Many parts of the world, religions, industries, etc., see women as inferior to men. For instance, over 100 years ago, women were not allowed to vote in the United States. Stop and think about that. For more than half of The United States’ existence, women were ineligible to vote.

NOTE: Before this post goes any further, let’s address something. Like all posts on this site, this post will NOT focus on religion, society, ideology, or politics. We are NOT looking at women’s rights from any other scope than that of God’s Word.

Depending on what you’ve been taught or might believe, you may be surprised to find Paul, Peter, and Christ, himself, calling upon women to lead, teach, and disciple others.

Looking at God’s Word, we see women as a vital part of His works and plan. Therefore, please DO NOT only read the following few lines but also research and study them. We must know and comprehend who God is and what He reveals to us in His Word and through His Spirit.

Don’t blindly follow anyone, including this blog; search for HIS Truth on your own.

It’s often been said that women should have no role or place in the church, especially in leadership positions. However, if that were true, then what about the following:

Mary, a young Nazarene woman, was chosen to conceive the Messiah miraculously (Matt 1:18-25);

Mary Magdalene learned from Christ and joined Jesus and His disciples in both fellowship and service – something Jewish culture and customs did not permit (Luke 8:2-3); she was also one of the first to see the risen Christ and instructed to deliver the Gospel of His resurrection to His male disciples (John 20:18);

Deborah, the fourth and only female judge of Israel, was able to lead a successful military campaign that brought 40 years of peace for God’s chosen people, the people of Israel (Judges 4-5);

Micah testified that Miriam, the sister of Moses, was one of 3 leaders sent by God (Micah 6:4);

Huldah gave prophecies, and God later fulfilled them (2 Kings 22);

Peter had the boldness to say God will pour out his spirit on both male and female servants and sons and daughters will prophesy (Acts 2:17-18);

Esther’s obedience to God could bring about deliverance for the Jewish people (Esther 8);

The females in Christ’s life stayed by his side through the most gruesome of terrors surrounding his death (John 16:32; 19:25);

Junia was referred to as an outstanding Apostle by Paul as she had walked with Christ even longer than him (Romans 16:7);

Paul asked the church to receive Phoebe in a way worthy of honor and to give her any help that she may need (Romans 16:1-2);

Paul affectionately referred to Priscilla and Aquila, husband and wife home church leaders, as “co-workers in Christ” and expressed the church’s gratitude to them (Romans 16:3-4);

If such examples existed then, should they not exist now?

Isn’t it remarkable how loving our Heavenly Father is? 

At certain times throughout history, women were seen as property. In some cases, they were required to marry men who raped them. In addition, they were often considered spoils of war and subjected to unjust laws, yet the examples listed above (from God’s Word) show us that God views them as vessels of love, teachers, leaders, prophets, and disciples.

In the book of Romans, Paul makes no bones about referring to Priscilla and Aquila as “co-workers in Christ” – often listing Priscilla before her husband in his writings (which was not customary). Yet, even with the above-listed examples and Paul’s admiration for Priscilla (and other women), some verses are used out of context – placing women in a “religious” box of silence.

“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.  And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

In a nutshell, Corinthian culture and laws did not permit women to confront men in public. However, in the churches, this was not being practiced. Instead, speaking and questioning men during the services was causing a significant amount of division within the church. 

To further explain this, we must understand what Paul is trying to say.

“Keep silence” comes from the Greek word “sigao,” which has the meaning of “kept secret” or “keeping your peace” during public speaking and refers to speaking out of turn. It is meant as an instruction to stay mindful; to speak at appropriate times.

If Paul had wanted the women to be completely silent, another Greek word, “siopao,” could have easily been chosen. Siopao seems to be the New Testament word of choice to indicate the complete absence of speech, including public speaking.

It seems like the major point Paul was trying to make in this passage deals with distraction. When it comes to teaching and spreading the Gospel, adhering to the norm, and traditional customs makes more sense (at least at first). 

As a missionary in a foreign land, there are specific guidelines that missionaries are given concerning customs. When customs are broken or ignored, the focus is removed from Christ and placed on the person ignoring those customs. 

God is the giver of free will. However, a community bound by the will of its peers most likely isn’t capable of seeing past those customs until God moves throughout society.

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding, she shall be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” – 1 Timothy 2:11-15

The word silence in this passage stems from the Greek word “Hesuchia,” which means peaceful orderliness in the above-listed verse. The Ephesian church, at this point, was having issues with Christian women and their newfound freedom.

Many were speaking out of turn, teaching on topics they were not adequately trained on, or disrupting meetings with questions that could be answered in private settings. 

According to what we’ve learned, Paul was NOT condemning women. Instead, he was asking them to be patient.  At this point, all guidance-based roles, in both Judaism and Christianity, had been carried out by men. 

Women were held back by customs and culture – not allowed to read or learn.  But, IN NO WAY did Paul keep women from learning or studying God’s Word.  In fact, he encouraged it. And 1 Timothy 2:11-15 goes much deeper into that narrative. 

We find references to Adam and Eve by the end of the passage. Many automatically point the finger at Eve and say, “See, Paul was talking about the sins of Eve and how she has been demoted and left with childbirth as punishment.”  But what those people fail to see is God’s Plan.

Through His Design and Grace, God gave humanity the most incredible gift of all – through ‘punishment’ of Eve. Childbirth is the vessel by which God decided to send His only Son. Eve’s sin was redeemed by the one thing she was forced to burden. 

God freed the world of all sin by delivering Jesus into this world – cleansing us from ALL of our sins. 

It’s evident throughout God’s word that women are not meant to be oppressed or silenced.  On the contrary, He expects them to spread His Gospel to all people just as frequently and as loud as He does men.

The real question is, “do we as humanity (male and female alike) need to use words, or should our actions express the Love of Christ just as much, if not more?”

Wrapping up this week’s post,  we hope that you will NOT see this post from the viewpoints of society, religion, politics, or ideology but instead from the scope of God’s Word – the eyes of Christ. The fruit of the Spirit.

As we begin to study and see God’s Word from a historical and contextual standpoint, it may not always align with what we’ve been told. Yet, through Jesus Christ, humanity is made equal – ALL creation, man, woman, and child alike.

As God’s people continue to find Him, moving closer to His heart and mind as well – they become more loving, more accepting, more willing to set aside the flesh and blood of this world. Instead, embracing who we are in Him.

His love freely flows and surpasses all barriers which divide us as humanity. So, may we continue to search for Him and ask for His discernment and guidance as we push forward through this life – walking with His Spirit and representing the fruit we’ve been given (Galatians 5:22-23).

In conclusion, Dragontown is a to-the-point, no-nonsense LP. It’s a representation of Hell, and the penalty is paid because of your transgressions.

“What it does is it throws a scare. I don’t care who you are; you’re lying in bed at night, and you may be an atheist, you may be anything, and there’s that possibility. For other people, maybe for the Jewish or Muslims, they have their own idea of what it is. For Christians, and for me, it’s salvation through Christ. That’s my belief. But what I’m proposing here is that for all of those who don’t believe that there is any afterlife or any payment, this is to propose that, this is what’s happening here. This is where you find out, ‘Oh-oh, I was wrong – there is a price to pay.” You have (all these characters on the LP) saying, “ I was a nice guy, and I did more good things than bad things, and I’m going to Hell?!?!” – Alice Cooper (speaking about the Dragontown LP)

Again, such a dark and poignant look at life apart from its Creator. However, it leaves the listener asking more questions about life and where they may be heading. And, much like “Only Women Bleed,” “Every Woman Has A Name” is added to a concept album that may not completely line up with the song.

However, in Cooperesque fashion, Alice delivers an inspiring affirmation of the importance of women – women in our lives, women in society, women in creation. God’s grace can indeed be seen and adored by a woman that loves Him and values His Word.

Finally, this post is dedicated to the women that strive to know, love, and walk-in Christ’s footsteps – learning more about Him and leading their families through thick and thin. You are LOVED!

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11  The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12  She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13  She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14  She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15  She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16  She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17  She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19  She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20  She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21  She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22  She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23  Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24  She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26  She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27  She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28  Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29  “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31  Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

-Psalms 31:10-31-