Thanks. The mods here asked if I could move the more explicit sex discussion to my blog, which I have done for those interested. http://bluechristian.blogspot.com

But about submission… how did it become so twisted? I think biblical submission is grace (agape) working itself out in human relationships. I often know my own *lack* of grace most by that prickly, angry feeling I get when anyone — my wife, my pastor, a Christian friend — pushes me on something which causes me discomfort to do or think about. That feeling I have learned to identify as pride. I just had it again yesterday, and find it humiliating (yes, that is ironic) to know how quickly I fail to submit to what is good from another.

All submission requires us to be Bereans, carefully examining what is being asked of us no matter what “authority” is asking/telling. But the flip side is also true. We need to be eager to submit to one another (Eph 5:21) out of reverence for Christ. I’ve always considered CBE’s example of this as individuals and as an organization stellar.

We Americans have grown up on the Corporate model of leadership. One person (usually a white guy) behaving as the conduit for the corporate “vision” or “goal.” But that is so far from being biblical. Have we uncritically embraced very modern, very secular concepts, gaging them on widgets sold rather than on fruits of the Spirit?

I think so. And I’m trying not to rail as much on the old-school luddites and imitate more of what I see in CBE and other Egalitarian/Mutuality folks and organizations. Let us model an organic, slow-grow, individual-respecting model of praxis re the Body of Christ. I’ve cried over this stuff often. And it is nice to have somewhere to come and vent and then get enthused again to take up our Egalitarian cross and follow Jesus.

Another great concern I have is the apostasy away from the gospel of grace – a gospel that clearly states we are sinners by nature, hopeless to heal ourselves; – a gospel that clearly states that our only hope is a savior and that savior is Jesus Christ. This gospel proclaims that Jesus actually took our place on the cross and paid the debt for our sins so that we would be reconciled to God. Without this substitutionary atonement, Christ’s sacrifice is meaningless. The act of being crucified does not automatically equate love. Examples of love are sharing our resources, helping the needy, sacrificing ourselves to rescue others from harm. Running in front of a car is not an act of love unless it is done to push another out of the way of being hit. In the same way, the cross is meaningless unless it had to be done to save us from perishing.

Many are now denying that a loving God would require His Son to be crucified as payment for our sins. They claim the cross was only a demonstration of how much God loves us and wants a relationship with us. But again, deliberately running in front of a car does not automatically prove love – pure insanity could be better argued if saving someone is not the goal.

By denying the necessity of the cross, that only Jesus Christ as our savior had the authority to perform, Christianity loses its distinct message that keeps it irreconcilably separate from other views. Once the cross is no longer a matter of substitutionary atonement, Christianity can then be joined with all other faiths under the banner of a One World Religion. The lie is saying that a One World Religion will usher in world peace, equality, and understanding. In truth it will turn this world into a totalitarian hell. The only true peace and unity is found at the cross through Jesus Christ. But He and that message is being increasingly persecuted and outlawed.

It is only through the true gospel message that biblical egalitarianism finds its proper fruition. We must be extremely careful not to join churches who proclaim egalitarianism while denying the necessity of the cross. Their type of equality is worldly and will lead to the acceptance of a One World Religion that will turn us all into slaves or outlaws. I know there are few churches out there that are both faithful to the gospel message and to egalitarianism, but we can’t afford to compromise. We must challenge these false teachings wherever we find them. Keeping silent is not being more open minded or loving. If we have to, we should meet in homes or start new churches. It’s okay if we are a minority opinion. If God is for us, who can be against us? We are His ambassadors to be His light in this very dark world.

Thanks, History Lover! I just want to make clear that I am not resigning my present place of ministry for any reasons related to gender and ministry. The issue is not with the past place of ministry–just with the unlikelihood of a future one.

Hope that made sense.