Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Wed, 29 Jul 1992 13:25:00 EDT
From:         "Fritz Block, LCF Summer President" <BD32@LAFAYACS.BITNET>
Subject:      RE: Loving leadership in the home

> You said:
>
> I'm not sure what "headship" entails on a practical level, but I know
> that if the husband exercises headship, his responsibility entails more
> than the above.  While God obviously expects both husband and wife to
> love each other, the husband is told in particular to love his wife.  He
> may have the final say in a disagreement and sometimes make a decision
> that his wife doesn't like, but he also has to place his wife's interests
> above his own.  If he keeps up his end of the arrangement, that doesn't
> seem like such a bad deal to me.
>
> What do you think?
>
>
> Fritz,
>        I would be interested to know more about the "practical" aspects of
> "headship".  Could you give some scenerios in which you believe the husband
> to be able to make a decision contrary to what his wife wishes to do?
> Actually, if you are asking the general list, it doesn't sound like such a
> great deal to me (although I have close friends that have this arrangement,
> it works beautifully for them, and I respect that).

Why does it seem like a bad deal?

Intuitively, I rebel against either spouse having special authority over
the other.  The idea goes against the concept of equality which I have
come to understand.  But I can't contradict Scripture.  It clearly gives
the husband special responsibility to love his wife and to act as the
"head."

As I stated above, I'm unsure of the practical aspects of "headship."
That's why I would like others on the list to enlighten me.

Two scenarios in which a husband could make a decision contrary to what
his wife wishes:  a) He's a Baptist, she's a Catholic and they have to
decide which church to attend.  Although both would personally feel more
comfortable in their own tradition, both want to switch to the other's
tradition for the sake of the other.  They can't agree, and because he's
prayed about it and thinks that he would have an easier time adapting
than his wife would, the husband decides they'll attend a Catholic
church.  b) He wants to their daughter to attend a private Christian
school for junior high and his spouse prefers her to attend a public
school.  They discuss the merits of both, but can't agree.  Let's say
that their daughter has no preference.  If the husband has "headship,"
the choice is up to him.  Maybe he'll decide to go against his own
opinions and decide in favor of his wife because she knows more about
the issue.  Maybe he'll decide to go with his judgement.

I'm interested in Renee's and the list's responses to all of this.


*++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
* Fritz Block    "Love is not a ballad on the top ten chart            *
* bd32@lafayacs   Love is not a virus from cupid's dart                *
* 215-250-8031    Love is not a promise that you tear apart            *
* Lafayette Col.  Love is a commitment heart to heart" -- Larry Norman *
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