Message Boards
Replies to '12/28 Wifestyles'
|
October 11, 2005, 4:57 am PDT
 Quote From: dizzytiger I agree! Far too often, Christians have been given a bad name. We are stereotyped as believing 'God says women should be doormats', but that's not true. Granted, there are a few backslidden churches that do say that (I know of a particularly bad one in my town), but the only reason they say that is because they never took the time to read what God really has to say about women. First off, let's look at Deborah in Judges 4. Deborah came from Eve, who came from Adam's rib, and she was a great Judge of Israel. She had a husband named Lappidoth, but he was a good guy; the Bible never says anything about him trying to overthrow his wife's leadership because he felt threatened. The Bible says Deborah "was a prophet who had become a judge in Israel. She would hold court under the Palm of Deborah, which stood between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephriam, and the Israelites came to her to settle their disputes." In a culture where male supremacy and polygyny was common, God went against culture and put a woman in the highest leadership position in that country. Yes, woman came from Adam's rib, but that doesn't diminish the value of women. Just because a few churches claim 'women are doormats' doesn't mean God sees women that way. Secondly, let me adress the quote you quoted: "IF you honestly believe everything you read, for instance that woman was actually made from Adam's rib, then maybe you don't have a problem being told what to do by your man." Deborah wasn't the only woman in the Bible who did great things for God. Some lesser-known Bible women were Huldah (II Kings 22:14-20), Phoebe (Romans 16:1), Anna (Luke 2:25-38), Priscilla (Acts 18:24-26), Miriam (Exodus 15:20), and Philip's daughters (Acts 21:9). Some were married, some were single, and in some cases the Bible doesn't mention their marital status. The point is, these women were teachers and leaders because God wanted them to be. They weren't waiting around "being told what to do by [their men." They had their own lives to live; they had God-given purposes. I seriously doubt their husbands were trying to turn them into slaves. Just because we're Jesus freaks doesn't mean we let men walk all over us. Thank you! I'm one of these working moms whose not a very good housekeeper and, in fact found trying to keep a house while working too much and gave it up for the sake of my sanity. I tried to be the perfect Supermom and discovered I couldn't do it to the level of what my mother was able to do.
Despite the fact that I was created from Adam's rib, I do have a problem being told what to do from my man. There's more to the "wives submit ye to your husbands", like the second half that says "husbands love your wives". Because you submit to his authority as head of the house doesn't give him the right to be abusive, rude, uncaring, disrespectful. There are issues about our family that he lets me handle and there are issues I let him handle. But when he makes a decision to do something I follow it because I believe he thinks it is the best for the family. There has to be respect for each other between a husband and wife. Being a "servant" to your husband doesn't make you a doormat and it doesn't give him the right to walk all over you.
As Christians we are servants of Christ. Jesus demonstrated servanthood when he washed the disciples' feet and carried out his father's plan for him to be crucified. I've discovered things go a lot more smoothly when I follow God's instructions as laid out in the Bible. I've tried to do things my way and have failed miserably (my husband almosts walked out on me once). God's ways don't always make sense to us, but I believe that they are for the good of us as individuals, families and nations. Think of how much more peaceful our world would be if everyone followed the commandment "Thou Shalt Not Kill".
Again, thank you for responding to that posting and giving us the chance to respond. It really bothered me and I think it is good to clarify the Christian side of things.
Darlene
It took a while, but my husband helps quite a bit around the house |
|
|
October 11, 2005, 7:20 am PDT
Quote From: dizzytiger I agree! Far too often, Christians have been given a bad name. We are stereotyped as believing 'God says women should be doormats', but that's not true. Granted, there are a few backslidden churches that do say that (I know of a particularly bad one in my town), but the only reason they say that is because they never took the time to read what God really has to say about women. First off, let's look at Deborah in Judges 4. Deborah came from Eve, who came from Adam's rib, and she was a great Judge of Israel. She had a husband named Lappidoth, but he was a good guy; the Bible never says anything about him trying to overthrow his wife's leadership because he felt threatened. The Bible says Deborah "was a prophet who had become a judge in Israel. She would hold court under the Palm of Deborah, which stood between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephriam, and the Israelites came to her to settle their disputes." In a culture where male supremacy and polygyny was common, God went against culture and put a woman in the highest leadership position in that country. Yes, woman came from Adam's rib, but that doesn't diminish the value of women. Just because a few churches claim 'women are doormats' doesn't mean God sees women that way. Secondly, let me adress the quote you quoted: "IF you honestly believe everything you read, for instance that woman was actually made from Adam's rib, then maybe you don't have a problem being told what to do by your man." Deborah wasn't the only woman in the Bible who did great things for God. Some lesser-known Bible women were Huldah (II Kings 22:14-20), Phoebe (Romans 16:1), Anna (Luke 2:25-38), Priscilla (Acts 18:24-26), Miriam (Exodus 15:20), and Philip's daughters (Acts 21:9). Some were married, some were single, and in some cases the Bible doesn't mention their marital status. The point is, these women were teachers and leaders because God wanted them to be. They weren't waiting around "being told what to do by [their men." They had their own lives to live; they had God-given purposes. I seriously doubt their husbands were trying to turn them into slaves. Just because we're Jesus freaks doesn't mean we let men walk all over us. And that's the truth! My husband and I get along very well and have a great relationship but there certainly are times when I have to tell him how it is and he actually listens. I am not a doormat nor am I to agree with everything that my husabnd says and does. If I disagree with something, he knows it and though he doesn't always heed what I am saying, he doesn't go off on me either. We have learned to love and respect each other unconditonally and we work together in our home, we communicate and discuss issues and decissions and figure out a solution together. We are also both christians and believe the teachings of the Bible, that we are to model after the life of Christ and though we do fail at times, we are encouraged by one anothers love as well as the love of Christ. Christianity is about a relationship and that relationship is between us and Christ and any one who has never been opened to that or has never experienced that love and relationship will NEVER understand it, therefore the biblical values, morals, and teachings will mean absolutely nothing to them and these are the people who argue it, cause for the most part, they have not been opened nor have they done the research nor have they even tried to appliy the words to their own lives. I believe in freedom of choice when it comes to how we live our lives and regardless of how you believe, There will be a time when the Truth shall prevail and I personally would much rather be prepared for the coming of the Lord then not so following the Words of Christ is a wise thing to do, I have nothing to lose by loving and respecting The Lord. ANd also if you would read the Bible sincerely, you would see that even though it was written years ago, predictions of the Bible are actually coming to pass which could be an eye opener that maybe The teachings of Christ could be real. To understand christianity is to live it and yes there are many false religions out there who are not true to the Word of God and this is where we need to be careful, not to get trapped into the lies and deceit, For me, I am glad I have given the Word of God a chance and becasue of it, I have absolutely no regrets and will continue to live and teach my kids by it. afterall, once again, I have absolutely notthing to lose by accepting the Bible as the inspired word of God and as far as my family is concerned, we will serve the Lord, |
|
Return to the Message Board
