^^ Agreed.Soloist:
No one is devaluing women.
Scripture is clear that the woman is to submit to the husband. Is man devalued because he obeys the government? Is a child devalued because they have to obey their parents?
^^ True, even in our imperfect world.Soloist:
In the perfect world, a husband would honor his wife's opinion on things and consider her better then himself and treat her as Christ treats the church. In a perfect world, a wife won't have to fear being obedient to her husband.
Sins+abuses should not be allowed to take on dominant roles, as-if they were the majority or norm.
^^ True enough. The temptation to try to “be better than God” is powerful+seductive. It just doesn’t bear good fruit.Soloist:
Part of being a Christian is submitting to God's role that He created for us. It doesn't have to make sense to our earthly perspective.
Typically, the response to poor outcomes is: adding MORE effort to trying to “be better than God.”
^^ Amen.Soloist:
Perhaps I would be less stressed if I didn't have to lead my family and carry the responsibility of bad choices, but God still holds me responsible regardless of if I lead or am led. Look at Adam.
i’m not sure i well-appreciated the burden of men’s responsibilities until - thru serious illness, then death, i was forced into these roles. It’s a heavy load. My former role allowed me to be counsel, encourager, discourager, “part of,” etc., but, stepping into “that other role” of leadership, decision-maker, etc., is a whole other thing, a difficult thing. a lonely thing. i’ve done my best. never feeling it’s “enough” on my own. praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance, for the ability to .. manage.
here is an example of where i believe scriptures are genius and inspired. God doesn’t micromanage.
ideals are established, with allowances for how imperfect life on earth plays out. when husbands+fathers die, families don’t (ordinarily) die with them, but have sufficient ability to carry on in less than ideal ways. not unlike life after an amputation.
God designs us to manage in spite of profound losses.
Some thrive in spite of terrific losses. This doesn’t alter the ideal!
We don’t declare everyone sacrifice their legs because some have lost their legs but thrive anyway.
We continue to recognize what the complete healthy physical body is.
^^ (Page 2) - i appreciate when you add your wife’s responses, on all topics. thank you.Soloist:
I'll have my wife reply to you at some point as she is perfectly capable of defending the Biblical truth herself and it carries more weight to have a woman arguing that her place is Biblical and obedient to God.
it’s a conundrum that those who are happy and fulfilled often have no time or motivation to “defend and argue” their beliefs.
they witness in their daily acts, which may not be directly verbal. (true for men and women.)
^^ Regardless of origin, it’s a good quote.We work hard not to fall in to a shallow faith that keeps us from speaking Truth in favor of only works.
"Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary."
-Francis of Assisi?
This very popular Christian quote has been attributed over the years to theologian Francis of Assisi but he never said it.