The CBE Scroll

Hurrah to London’s Metropolitan Police for upping their aggressive strategy to end female genital mutilation in the UK. The Guardian has the full story here on the new cash reward being offered – just before the summer holiday season when many girls are taken out of the country for the ‘ceremony,’ illegal in Britain – to anyone who provides information leading to a successful conviction. Let’s pray this campaign helps to raise awareness in other countries as well.

Complementarian men say they believe women are equal, but what do they mean by that?

If they believe men have authority over women, are women equal? No. If men have more authority than women, this is not equality.

If men get to make the final decisions in the marriage, are women equal? No, since the man’s word counts for more than the woman’s, this is not equality.

If the men are the spiritual leaders of their wives, are women equal? The purpose of one person being the spiritual leader over another is so one is spiritually stronger than the other. If it is presumed that men are automatically spiritually stronger than the women then no, this is not equality.

There are complementarian men who put more emphasis on wives submitting than on husbands loving. If less emphasis is put on men giving than women giving (that’s how I translate submitting and loving), are women equal? No. If men are held less responsible for giving than women, this is not equality.

If God speaks to men directly and only indirectly to women, through men, are women equal? No. If God chooses to bestow his wonderful, precious direction to men rather than women, this is not equality.

If men get to have a say in the direction, governance, and teaching of the church and women don’t, are women equal? No. If men get more of a say than women, this is not equality.

If men are allowed to use all their gifts to serve the church, but women are only allowed to use part of their gifts, are women equal? No. If men have no restrictions on using their gifts and women do, this is not equality.

One complementarian writer says that women naturally submit to and support men. If women are expected to do this for men, but men aren’t expected to do this for women, are women equal? No. If men are expected to receive support from women but not women from men, this is not equality.

I know that in their literature complementarians repeatedly say they believe women are equal. But, if they truly do consider women equal, they need to define what they mean by it.

I came across this concept in a book some time back and then more recently someone sent me an email with the same content which had been taught at a school. It demonstrates what is happening in some sections of the Christian community and gives us cause for concern when young people endorse these practices. What am I talking about – some questionable new age techniques or dabbling with the occult? No, it’s some guidelines for young women and men as to their behavior when spending time with each other in groups and as dating couples.

The rationale for these suggestions comes from an interpretation of Creation which teaches that because Adam was made first he was to be the leader and initiator and that God made Eve to be Adam’s helper in the tasks which God had given him. This then defines what is feminine and what is masculine and the fixed roles these descriptions portray.

Young men are encouraged to practice their servant leadership and always take the initiative in deciding where to go and what to do. Even in conversations the men are told to direct the ideas and speak first, albeit considerately. They are also urged to be the spiritual leader in the relationship in preparation for being the spiritual leader of the home. To be fair, it is also stressed that the men are to be considerate, protective and respectful. So, you can see where this is going in respect to how the young women are expected to behave! They are told they should make room for the guys to practice their servant leadership as ‘a woman’s biggest temptation is to take control.’ This means stepping back and letting the man lead because that is how she can ‘practice for the time when she will follow a husband.’ In conversations it is deemed to be better to have awkward silences than for a woman to speak first.

Teaching like this, which describes masculinity and femininity by such detailed actions and attitudes, is having a marked impact on the current Christian scene. Have others come across this sort of thing, and why do you think some young people are finding it attractive? Obviously I have my own opinion but I’m sure we would all like to read some discussion on this disturbing trend.

Kudos are in order for Inductive Bible Study leaders at Urbana 2006 last week. I was hard pressed to find any heirarchical authoritarians in the whole bunch. In a feedback time after the conference, the leadership found that there was very little complementarian argument over the selected study of Ephesians chapter 5. Praise God for that. As well, they used the TNIV as the text of study–another PTL!!

In that classic Bible passage on marriage (Eph. 5:21-33) so often used, or alluded to in the marriage ceremony, the narrative closes with the admonition, “this is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the Church are one.” (vs. 32 NLB) The mystery would appear to be, from the preceding verse, that two married people could somehow become one, in thought, purpose and action. Obviously it is a picture of the complete unity within the Godhead which translates into the unique relationship of Christ and the Church. Further, from what we read here, it is equally the ideal that God intends for marriage.

Is it conceivable that two, previously individual persons, especially as products of our pluralistic culture, should, or could, become essentially one? The injunction (vs. 31) suggests to me that neither of those persons is better equipped or more divinely entitled to lead the other, but each, as they acquiesce to the other, for the higher purpose of oneness can achieve that glorious ideal.

Having said that I now come back to the thought of mystery. The Bible definition of mystery suggests something that is veiled, hidden, secret or couched in parable. The theme of mystery occurs repeatedly throughout Scripture beginning in the book of Job (chap. 11 vs.7). Zophar asks Job, “Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything there is to know about the Almighty?” God is a revealer of mysteries for Daniel the prophet (Dan. 2:22). Jesus Himself is said to always speak in parables and thus fulfil OT prophecy as He, “explains the mysteries hidden since the creation of the world.” (Matt. 13:34,35, cross ref.to Psalm 78:2 NLB)

Is it just possible that one mystery hidden since creation is that God’s intention for married humanity is a oneness based on equality and mutuality, as opposed to hierarchy? In hierarchy the husband leads and the wife submissively follows, in respect to a supposed divine ordering or fulfillment of a God ordained role. The Living Bible, erroneously I believe, paraphrases it that a wife should simply, “… fit in with her husband’s plans.” (1 Peter 3:5 LB) By contrast, in a mutually submissive marriage, “each submits to the other out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21 NLB) Both see the greater good of being united together in thought, purpose and action and strive for that ideal mutually. No one person has the final say by virtue of gender. Each considers the other as heirs together of the grace of Christ (1 Peter 3:7).