I've read it in context, thoroughly, and it doesn't help. And really, in what context could this become okay? As for the claim that the Bible has "always been

I've read it in context, thoroughly, and it doesn't help. And really, in what context could this become okay? As for the claim that the Bible has "always been counter-cultural in promoting the equality of men and women", that is a very limited viewpoint on history; it has been used toward both oppressive and egalitarian ends since it was written. And if you mean that the early Christian writers like Paul were especially egalitarian for their time, this too is controversial at best in scholarly circles. The mere mention (even praise) of certain women does not demonstrate a culture of gender equality; Roman society at large is also known to have venerated certain female figures in the same way, so this was hardly a counter-cultural practice.