The husband is the leader of the household

[JKJ86]

My father is a non-denominational Christian and I am a Baptist. I believe the husband is the head of the wife. My father will get into arguments with me if I try to make decisions for my family and will say I should let my wife decide things. I am not "lording it over" her, and always ask her for input on all major decisions, but I still believe that I should be the leader of our household. How can I deal with this, as a Baptist and believer of 1 Corinthians 11?

(He demonizes me while trying to ally with my own wife, and I feel disgusted every time he acts this way. Sometimes I wonder if he was possibly a false convert even, with him taking so much of scripture as non-literal and always having excuses like "the man is the source of the woman not the head"...It boggles my mind how he waters down the meaning of some scripture. )

 

[Jerome]

Did you ever read Romans chapter sixteen?

After commending the deacon Phoebe, Paul writes:

"Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house."

Charles Spurgeon explains:

"He named Priscilla first, because she was first in energy of character and attainments in grace. There is a precedence which, in Christ, is due to the woman when she becomes the leader in devotion, and manifests the stronger mind in the things of God. It is well when nature and grace both authorize our saying, 'Aquila and Priscilla,' but it is not amiss when grace outruns nature, and we hear of, 'Priscilla and Aquila.'"

 

[SheepWhisperer]

The Bible is clear: the husband is to be the head of the wife and the wife is supposed to submit. Her practice of submission or "subjection" is actually a LEADERSHIP role, especially in cases where the husband is not "leading" in a godly manner.

1 Peter 3:1-2 1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

 

[Bro. James]

A lot of strange stuff has happened since women started wearing pants to weekly liberation meetings. This situation developed soon after the men started abdicating their thrones to become macho narcissists. Narcissus had an identity crisis too.

Even so, come, Lord

Bro. James

 

[annsni]

I agree that the husband is the head of the wife as Scripture clearly states. However, a wise husband will work with his wife as a partner in most things and allow her decision making in the areas that she excels at. My husband doesn't make decisions in the clothing I wear or what my kids wear, most of the decorating around the house, the food we eat, etc. I don't make decisions on what tools he gets or how he fixes things around the house (if I can't do it). But we make decisions on most larger things together - finances, large purchases, schedules and things like that.

 

[SheepWhisperer]

A husband is to "nourish and cherish" his wife, leading by love. A wife is to cherish her husband by submitting. Each compliments the other and builds up the family. Exerting "dominance" by either party will only tear your family apart. Read Proverbs 31. The wife not only takes care of the husband and kids while staying busy about the running of the household, but she is even an entrepreneur who sells goods and buys real estate. Her husband "praises" her, the Bible says. A successful family thrives on love.

You can never "make" your wife submit, nor should you try. Just love your wife continually. That is leading by example. And, to the ladies: submitting to your husband "in every thing" is also leading by example. It reminds me of my sheep( I have over 100 right now) Try to chase them or force them somewhere and they will only scatter. LEAD them with a bucket of feed and they will follow you anywhere.

 

[padredurand]

My father is a non-denominational Christian and I am a Baptist. I believe the husband is the head of the wife. My father will get into arguments with me if I try to make decisions for my family and will say I should let my wife decide things. I am not "lording it over" her, and always ask her for input on all major decisions, but I still believe that I should be the leader of our household. How can I deal with this, as a Baptist and believer of 1 Corinthians 11?

(He demonizes me while trying to ally with my own wife, and I feel disgusted every time he acts this way. Sometimes I wonder if he was possibly a false convert even, with him taking so much of scripture as non-literal and always having excuses like "the man is the source of the woman not the head"...It boggles my mind how he waters down the meaning of some scripture. )

Unless you are living under his roof he doesn't have a say about how decisions are made in your own household. It is none of his business and if he argues with you about it he is just meddling. Find a polite way to tell him to shut up.

 

[SheepWhisperer]

Keep your Dad in your prayers. Entreat him in a respectful way. Always honor your Dad.

 

[rsr]

My father is a non-denominational Christian and I am a Baptist. I believe the husband is the head of the wife. My father will get into arguments with me if I try to make decisions for my family and will say I should let my wife decide things. I am not "lording it over" her, and always ask her for input on all major decisions, but I still believe that I should be the leader of our household. How can I deal with this, as a Baptist and believer of 1 Corinthians 11?

(He demonizes me while trying to ally with my own wife, and I feel disgusted every time he acts this way. Sometimes I wonder if he was possibly a false convert even, with him taking so much of scripture as non-literal and always having excuses like "the man is the source of the woman not the head"...It boggles my mind how he waters down the meaning of some scripture. )

Honestly, none of us have enough information to make a determination in this case. What decisions are you making that he thinks your wife should make? From your perspective, what are "major" decisions?

We have your side, in very vague terms. What would your wife say? How would your father describe the situation? What is it he sees that makes him want to confront you?

You may be completely in the right, but there is no way for us — a bunch of strangers — to make an intelligent determination.

BTW: Aside from piddling questions, everything that affects both of you is a major decision.