[1] “In the context of biblical
relationships between men and women, the best meaning of hypotasso is “to
identify with or support” It has nothing to do with being subordinate to,
secondary to, or subject to.” –Dr. Sue Hyatt.
Hypotasso, does not always denote "under" in hierarchy. In 2
Corinthians 2:10-11, the word is translated as “over,” proving misogyny and
even deliberate deception in commentaries and lexicons that define hypotasso as
always portraying a hierarchal chain of command, where the husband is
commanding officer and wife is subjected to (arranged “under”).
[2] Because of the curse, the desire to dominate
is greater in men than in women (men especially seek to rule over their women –Genesis
3:16).
As soon as sin entered the world through the last sinless human, God predicted the general oppression of women [by men]
would follow. And history reveals this prophecy has consistently [and with devastating
effects on family and society] been fulfilled. Its fulfillment continues up to the
present day, historical facts being confirmed by modern statistics.
The consequence of sin on woman, is the extreme opposite—to follow the path of least
resistance, especially when it comes to turning after her man. History and
statistics confirm this as well.
The
consequence of the Fall on woman, is the extreme opposite. Sin inclines her to follow
the path of least resistance, especially when it comes to turning after her man.
History and statistics confirm this as well. There are individual exceptions of
course, both the dominating and the passive following, are sinful behaviors
that can manifest in both women and men, but should be repented of and resisted
by all Christians.
Role
assignments in the family, culture, and religion are direct results of the
curse, and therefore should be rejected by all Christians.
Through scriptures,
such as this passage in Colossians chapter three, women are admonished to be
supportive—not of all males—but of their own husbands, and only “in a becoming
manner.” Blind, passive, subjection, is neither fitting nor becoming, but is rather,
the sinful, cursed, behavior described on Genesis 3:16.
Fathers are instructed to give up harsh treatment of their families through the despotic
behavior God predicted, and also to refrain from bitterness against what they perceive as “unsubmissive”
behavior in their wives.
The complementarian “servant leader” model for
husbands, is fanciful, false, and dangerous. Teachers who encourage men to walk
in what Elohiym Himself describes as
cursed behavior are in grave error. The servant leader model teaches men that
they can rule over their wives “nicely,” that it is acceptable to dominate wives as
long as they go about it in a polite and gentle manner.
Teaching husbands, who
the Bible warns will likely battle a life-long
urge to dominate wives, that there is an acceptable way to”manage” this sin, is
like giving methadone to a heroin addict. It may temporarily mitigate the worst
part of the problem, but does not cure the addiction. Sinning against wives "nicely," is still sin. God’s way is better. Turn
from sin. Repent of sin. Follow Christ. Love the Brethren.
In women, courage is
praised and prized—In the Bible—though not generally by men. The Proverbs Thirty-One
woman, was a woman of valor (“virtuous” sounds nice, but is a deliberately
inaccurate translation).
Teaching women to be submissive to male leadership, is
nothing less than a reinforcement of behavior that God has defined as a destructive
consequence of sin. But women are not merely taught this. Historically, for thousands upon thousands of years, through oppressive laws, they were given no choice in the matter.
Modern women, who live in democratic societies, are currently pressured
into accepting what would otherwise be an unacceptable paradigm by extravagant
promises of bliss and happiness, and if that does not work, by dire predictions
of familial, or even eternal, doom.
Both women and men are subject to sin in every
possible way it can manifest through human behavior, but the Bible declares
that there are also different sins that more easily beset one sex than the
other. In men, it is dominance towards women. In women, it is passivity towards
men. In any case, all Christians are
commanded to be strong and unafraid, full of faith, and to prefer one another before
themselves. -- the Hungry Hearts Online Bible Commentary
HHBC
Woman this is WAR! Gender Slavery
and the Evangelical Caste System examines Bible commentary and translation
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, in general, has hindered the work of the gospel. The book chronicles the
early history of the women's rights movements, as well as the role of church
leadership in aggressively suppressing both women's rights and the historical
record of Christian initiatives within the movements. Through the
complementarian movement, many of the same arguments used to support the
institution of slavery, are still used today in suppressing the rights of
Christian women. This book documents identical arguments used by Christian
leaders against both movements, and is an unparalleled resource for all who
desire an in-depth study of gender equality from a Christian perspective. 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 work, provides valuable historical insight into
Christian initiatives in the movements for women’s rights, that are rarely
included in Christian literature. Visit this link for more information or to
buy the book: Woman this is WAR! Gender Slavery
and the Evangelical Caste System
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