Equality

[mark]

My wife, who is quite deep theologically, recently said to me, "Christianlty is not about equality. Gender or otherwise, we all have roles, some are gender-based. All this equality stuff is our western values, not Christian ones." What do you think?

 

[Dr. Bob]

Hang on to that lady, Mark!

Western civilization IS obsessed with "fairness" and "equality".

I've always said: "God is not fair. Rules of form and function in His Bride are not equal. Live with it."

We should relish in MERCY and GRACE of God. If He were fair and all men equal, we would all rightly spend eternity in hell.

"But God . . . "

 

[Baptist Believer]

Originally posted by mark:
My wife, who is quite deep theologically, recently said to me, "Christianlty is not about equality. Gender or otherwise, we all have roles, some are gender-based. All this equality stuff is our western values, not Christian ones." What do you think?

A living Christian faith does not focus on who is in charge of human affairs and relationships, but seeks to find opportunities to serve and gratefully receive service from others.

All the talk about submission often reveals our Western biases about who is in charge. Instead, both husband and wife are to submit to each other in Christian love and service - the husband giving up everything for his wife (even his own life if necessary per the example of Christ) and the wife giving herself to the service of her husband. When a couple submits to each other in this way, there is no need for churches to enact 'rules' about wives submitting to husbands and husbands loving their wives. Paul told the Ephesians (and us) to "submit ourselves one to another". To emphasize only the wife's role in submission is to corrupt the clear teaching of the written word of God.

 

[Scarlett O.]

Originally posted by mark:
My wife, who is quite deep theologically, recently said to me, "Christianlty is not about equality. Gender or otherwise, we all have roles, some are gender-based. All this equality stuff is our western values, not Christian ones." What do you think?

IMHO, your wife is talking about two different issues.

True Christianity is indeed not about equality. It's about total humility and submission.

To God as our Master, Savior, and Lord.
To each other as beloved brothers and sisters.

It's about exalting The Most High and taking the focus away from ourselves.

However, gender specificity and equality in the Christian life is another thing all together.

You'd better believe that Christian relationships among men and women are about equality.

Just because God has gave unique attributes, roles, talents, charges, and challenges to men and women does not make them unequal in any way.

There are scripture passages that speak of men having some places of leadership, but there are no scripture passages that speak of men being superior to women in any way.

Woman was not created as an afterthought.

Yet I find that sometimes we as Christians treat her that way.

Do I believe in the "western" view of women. My only other alternative is the "eastern" view. I don't really want either one.

I'll take Jesus' view of women as my guide. Yes, his inner circle of 12 disciples were men, but some of his best friends and supporters were Mary Magdelene, Martha, Mary...

He spoke to the woman at the well as if she were of great importance to Him. And she was.

With His one of his last breaths, He made arrangements for the security of his mother.

When men mocked the woman who washed His feet, he exalted her.

I am humbled before God and am eternally unequal to Him.
I am humbled before my fellow believers in Christ, both men and women, and will exalt them before myself.

Am I on an unequal plane with my brothers in Christ?

No.

Peace-

YSIC
Scarlett O.

<><

 

[Major B]

Equality is a political ideal, but in reality, it never happens. All of us are in different parts of the "food chain" in different areas. For instance, I do woodworking, and I am fairly good, but I am not equal to Norm Abrams (if you don't know who he is, watch HG channel early in the AM). My adult sons are 'way younger than me, but neither one of them can even begin to keep up with me at the gym in the weight room, or, for that matter, at the track.

However, in two very important ways, we are equal. If we are lost, we are all condemned, and if we are saved, we are equally the recipients of Grace.

 

[mark]

Thanks for all the comments.