Ephesians 5:32-33 This is a great
mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church[1]
Nevertheless [even though you cannot fully comprehend this] so love everyone after
the manner [of Christ and] particularly love your wives even as yourselves (and wives to fear[2] husbands)
[1] As the apostle stated, the relationship
between Christ and His Church is a great mystery. It is something
the finite mind cannot begin to fathom. Since all our righteousness [the very best we can do] is as menstruous rags to
an infinitely Holy God, complementarian efforts at cosmic role play, between
god husband and church wife, is nothing less than insulting to a loving
Creator. It is a useless, misguided, attempt to “flesh out” something humans
are not capable understanding, much less of doing.
[2] The Greek word translated reverence or
respect, in this verse, is phobeō.
This is the root of the English word, phobia (fear). Examples of
New Testament scriptures where the word “respect” would have been just as appropriate,
if not more so, [than translating the Greek word, phobeō, as reverence] include: Matthew 21:37,
Mark 12:6, Luke 20:13, and Hebrews 12:9. Another option is to translate the
word with its most literal meaning of, “fear.” In Ephesians chapter six, Paul
admonished slaves to fear and tremble before their lords. He was not advocating
slavery. This advice stemmed from concern for their physical safety, and despite
the egalitarianism of the early church, wives were in just as much physical
danger from husbands as slaves were from masters. During that time, there was no legal recourse
for women against domestic violence, and nothing but moral constraint to
prevent husbands from beating wives. Sadly, history has shown that moral
constraints without legal clout, often prove inadequate in protecting women
from marital violence.
Woman this is WAR! Gender Slavery and the Evangelical Caste
System, Examines Bible translation and commentary practices which have historically been androcentric (male centered) and
even misogynistic (anti-woman). These have adversely effected
understanding of the scriptures, relations between women and men, the happiness
of men and women, and hindered the work of the gospel. The reader is educated
about historic parallels between the twin causes of abolition and women’s
rights, while the history of women’s rights is traced back [much further than
usual] to the very first feminists…who were Christians—godly women who brought
the issue of women's rights to the forefront as they struggled to alleviate the
suffering of others, and found they were hindered in doing so for no other
reason than the fact of their sex. This book, provides valuable historical
insight into Christian initiatives in the movements for women’s rights, that
are rarely included in Christian literature.
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