methinkshe Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 32 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 679 Content Per Day: 0.11 Reputation: 14 Days Won: 1 Joined: 03/02/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted May 14, 2007 Scripture teaches that the husband is the head of the wife, and that although male and female are of equal worth in God's eyes, they differ in terms of their responsibilities before God and therefore have been appointed different degrees of authority. Christian marriages symbolise the union between Christ and His church - the bride. If we overturn God's order by suggesting that husbands and wives have equal authority, do we not undermine the relationship between Christ and the bride? If a woman has the greater, or even equal authority within a Christian marriage, does that not allow the false view that the church has authority over Jesus, her head? And is this not why Paul says that he does not permit a woman to teach in church - i.e. a general assembly of men and women? The implication would be that the bride (the church) could authoritatively teach Jesus Christ, her head. In Jesus, Ruth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vickilynn Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 138 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 3,997 Content Per Day: 0.64 Reputation: 19 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/13/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted May 14, 2007 Scripture teaches that the husband is the head of the wife, and that although male and female are of equal worth in God's eyes, they differ in terms of their responsibilities before God and therefore have been appointed different degrees of authority. Christian marriages symbolise the union between Christ and His church - the bride. If we overturn God's order by suggesting that husbands and wives have equal authority, do we not undermine the relationship between Christ and the bride? If a woman has the greater, or even equal authority within a Christian marriage, does that not allow the false view that the church has authority over Jesus, her head? And is this not why Paul says that he does not permit a woman to teach in church - i.e. a general assembly of men and women? The implication would be that the bride (the church) could authoritatively teach Jesus Christ, her head. In Jesus, Ruth Shalom Ruth, Amen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marnie Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 811 Topics Per Day: 0.12 Content Count: 7,338 Content Per Day: 1.08 Reputation: 76 Days Won: 2 Joined: 10/06/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted May 14, 2007 Boy, I can see smoke coming out of some ears here! Look, all are equal in G-d's eyes; none is greater than the other. I take issue with this statement of yours: [A]lthough male and female are of equal worth in God's eyes, they differ in terms of their responsibilities before God and therefore have been appointed different degrees of authority. Equal is equal; there cannot be degrees of equality! In the Kingdom we all have the exact same standing and the exact same responsibilities. On earth, as a demonstration of the orderliness of the Kingdom, there has to be a hierarchy of authority. Having said that, the best marriages are cannot dictatorships. G-d is a benevolent Dictator because He is omniscient. We aren't--not men and not women--therefore we need each other to make decisions. Men and women think differently but together they for a complete person. It's ridiculous to force a milquetoast-man into being the single decision maker! Similarly, it's crazy to have a bully forcing his way or the highway on his family. But the reverse is also true; a shrew makes a lousy leader. No, I would say that the best marriages are a co-operative effort between husband and wife; none makes a decision without discussing it with the other. Ultimately, I think the husband--if he is able mentally and emotionally--should make the decision after consulting his wife. If he's a total boob, and don't laugh, boob-like husbands are all over the place, he should have humility to let his wife work with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exrockstar Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 34 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,673 Content Per Day: 0.27 Reputation: 111 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/21/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted May 14, 2007 On earth, as a demonstration of the orderliness of the Kingdom, there has to be a hierarchy of authority. Having said that, the best marriages are cannot dictatorships. G-d is a benevolent Dictator because He is omniscient. We aren't--not men and not women--therefore we need each other to make decisions. Men and women think differently but together they for a complete person. It's ridiculous to force a milquetoast-man into being the single decision maker! Similarly, it's crazy to have a bully forcing his way or the highway on his family. But the reverse is also true; a shrew makes a lousy leader. No, I would say that the best marriages are a co-operative effort between husband and wife; none makes a decision without discussing it with the other. Ultimately, I think the husband--if he is able mentally and emotionally--should make the decision after consulting his wife. If he's a total boob, and don't laugh, boob-like husbands are all over the place, he should have humility to let his wife work with him. I have to agree with Ruth and I dont think she was talking about dictatorship. Book of Proverbs clears it up pretty well. Chapter 1: man= instruction woman = wisdom it's not: man= instruction\wisdom woman = wisdom\instruction like a Tennis team. you have one person playing the front while the other is playing the back. They are a team but have different roles but still are a team. ... 3xR0c|<stAr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarletprayers Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 135 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 7,537 Content Per Day: 1.08 Reputation: 157 Days Won: 2 Joined: 04/06/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 09/29/1956 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I'm in agreement with Ruth also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Openly Curious Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 55 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 4,568 Content Per Day: 0.69 Reputation: 770 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/18/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted May 14, 2007 Boy, I can see smoke coming out of some ears here! Look, all are equal in G-d's eyes; none is greater than the other. I take issue with this statement of yours: [A]lthough male and female are of equal worth in God's eyes, they differ in terms of their responsibilities before God and therefore have been appointed different degrees of authority. Equal is equal; there cannot be degrees of equality! In the Kingdom we all have the exact same standing and the exact same responsibilities. On earth, as a demonstration of the orderliness of the Kingdom, there has to be a hierarchy of authority. Having said that, the best marriages are cannot dictatorships. G-d is a benevolent Dictator because He is omniscient. We aren't--not men and not women--therefore we need each other to make decisions. Men and women think differently but together they for a complete person. It's ridiculous to force a milquetoast-man into being the single decision maker! Similarly, it's crazy to have a bully forcing his way or the highway on his family. But the reverse is also true; a shrew makes a lousy leader. No, I would say that the best marriages are a co-operative effort between husband and wife; none makes a decision without discussing it with the other. Ultimately, I think the husband--if he is able mentally and emotionally--should make the decision after consulting his wife. If he's a total boob, and don't laugh, boob-like husbands are all over the place, he should have humility to let his wife work with him. Beautifully said and I totally agree. OC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marnie Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 811 Topics Per Day: 0.12 Content Count: 7,338 Content Per Day: 1.08 Reputation: 76 Days Won: 2 Joined: 10/06/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted May 14, 2007 Book of Proverbs clears it up pretty well. Chapter 1: man= instruction woman = wisdom it's not: man= instruction\wisdom woman = wisdom\instruction like a Tennis team. you have one person playing the front while the other is playing the back. They are a team but have different roles but still are a team. ... 3xR0c|<stAr Exactly. My goodness but you are smart. Allow me to quote one of the brightest thinkers I know: G-d is a benevolent Dictator because He is omniscient. We aren't--not men and not women--therefore we need each other to make decisions. Men and women think differently but together they for a complete person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exrockstar Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 34 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,673 Content Per Day: 0.27 Reputation: 111 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/21/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted May 14, 2007 Book of Proverbs clears it up pretty well. Chapter 1: man= instruction woman = wisdom it's not: man= instruction\wisdom woman = wisdom\instruction like a Tennis team. you have one person playing the front while the other is playing the back. They are a team but have different roles but still are a team. ... 3xR0c|<stAr Exactly. My goodness but you are smart. Allow me to quote one of the brightest thinkers I know: G-d is a benevolent Dictator because He is omniscient. We aren't--not men and not women--therefore we need each other to make decisions. Men and women think differently but together they for a complete person. actually to finish the equation man= instruction woman = wisdom God = instruction AND wisdom (scripture before this is husbands role but then ending is the point) Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, <----Teamand they two shall be one flesh. together, a strong team under God's eyes, is wisdom and instruction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheltiemom Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Members Followers: 2 Topic Count: 0 Topics Per Day: 0 Content Count: 6 Content Per Day: 0.00 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 05/11/2007 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/16/1946 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I too agree with Ruth. The equality of men and women has nothing to do with their responsibilities under God. God has given each of us very specific responsibilities to perform, and He didn't say to do them "if our personality allows us to". He simply said to do it. I know that this is a controversial subject and that people will probably never come to a complete agreement or understanding. But as for me, I will do what I do understand God to be commanding me to do. If I'm wrong I know He will lead me into the truth. I suppose that's really all any of us can do. Paulette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methinkshe Posted May 14, 2007 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 32 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 679 Content Per Day: 0.11 Reputation: 14 Days Won: 1 Joined: 03/02/2007 Status: Offline Author Share Posted May 14, 2007 (edited) This reminds me of the George Orwell book "Animal Farm", in which the pigs kept changing the laws over time. It started out, "All animals are created equal," but over time it became, "All animals are created equal, but some are created more equal than others." As pointed out, you are either equal, or you are not equal. You can't have it both ways. It is necessary first to understand what is meant by equal. It cannot mean "the same as" because all men are not the same - never mind women. In boxing, for instance, we have heavyweight and lightweight classes. Bring women into the equation, and we have seperate sporting events for men and women. So there is obviously an inequality between men and women at a physical level. Which is why I said that men and women are equal in terms of worth. Interestingly, the law treats mean and women differently, recognising that women are subject to different outward influences than men, such as PMT. So "equality" has to be defined before it can be properly discussed. I would define it in terms of "intrinsic worth" but maybe others have a better idea. In Jesus Ruth Edited May 14, 2007 by methinkshe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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